A policy for Hartland’s residential housing development grant has been amended by council. Pelkey said that following a policy review, she noticed something that could be “problematic.”
Pelkey suggested that Section 6.4, which calculates the grant based on municipal tax rates, be revised to include “local tax” in brackets.
“When the developer actually sees their tax bill that’s the line they see, so we wanted to make it more clear as to what we are offering our incentive on,” said Pelkey.
The treasurer also suggested removing Section 9.1, which indicates that the town will only receive and accept grant applications between January 1 and July 31 of the following year.
Pelkey said the intention is to remove a deterrent for developers, with successful applications being paid within two months after council approval.
Also to be removed is a line requiring a letter of reference from an OSFI (Office of Superintendent of Financial Institutions) approved bank to confirm the applicant is in good financial standing.
“We’re assuming that our owners – if they’ve paid their tax bills – are in good financial standing and I think that’s kind of a something we shouldn’t necessarily have to ask for,” said Pelkey.
Town to apply for variety of grants and debentures
The Hartland council approved motions to move forward on several grants and debentures during a meeting on Tuesday, April 8.
Council approved a motion to sell a Day & Ross Community Centre debenture to the New Brunswick Municipal Finance Corporation for $350,000.
Town treasurer Tina Pelkey said the town had received a letter from the province.
“They are looking for municipalities who actually want to turn their applications and their approved borrowing into a debenture so they gather up the millions of dollars then they go and ask for a rent,” said Pelkey.
The town applied for a 2025 Regional Development Corporation (RDC) grant to upgrade the pavilion park and town hall, replace library windows and purchase a generator.
Former town clerk Michelle Derrah said it would cover landscaping around the existing pavilion and pathway lighting, signage, and historic plaques.
Derrah added that the town could engage the community with a fundraiser to “assist with some of the project costs.”
The total cost of the project is $147,000 plus HST. Derrah said the town would ask RDC to cover $61,320, which is 40 per cent of the project.
Derrah said the town would also apply to NB Power’s energy efficiency program for $24,225 in funding out of a $97,000 project to replace windows in the library and town hall and add a mini-split to the community room.
Also approved was a request to ratify an application to the Recycling Hero Community Cleanup Grant worth $500 in funding. Derrah said the grant would help purchase supplies and fuel for a community cleanup.
John Nigro told council the planned date for a cleanup is Tuesday, April 22, with the town planning to co-ordinate with the Hartland Community School.
Council passed a motion to approve two RDC applications for planned sewer infrastructure work for housing developments on Rockland Road.
Derrah said the town will request 75 per cent funding for the project.
“This would be for investigation into what municipal infrastructure upgrades are needed in the Rockland Road area to accommodate the new housing developments in the town,” said Derrah.
One RDC application was for sanitary sewer system capacity improvements with a request of $112,500 out of a total of $150,000, while the other was for water system capacity improvements with an ask of $258,750 for a total of $345,000.
Derrah noted that the grant application is for preconstruction, so once the applications are approved, the town can move forward with the project and will submit additional applications for construction.
Finally, the council approved a motion to apply for a community grant from Farm Credit Canada, up to $10,000, towards improving the pavilion park.
Clerk appointments approved by council
Hartland Chief Administrative Officer Julie Stockford is now the town clerk, and Jennifer Foster is serving as assistant clerk. The Hartland council approved the appointments, which took effect on April 9.
Stockford replaces outgoing Michelle Derrah as clerk, while outgoing assistant clerk John Nigro has reverted back to his duties as director of facilities and operations.
