Town has positive talks on waterfront project with NB Power
Hartland council is now waiting for a decision from NB Power to see if the town’s waterfront project can go ahead as planned. Hartland Chief Administrative Officer Rob Webber updated town council during a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 16. Webber said on-site meetings with NB Power officials were positive.
They were looking from an operations perspective, and while they’re going to officially report back to the management team, they didn’t see any operational issues that would interfere with them,” said Webber.
He told the River Valley Sun that the town officials hope to take positive feedback from Monday’s most recent meeting when they report back to management.
“We have asked them to provide us a letter by the end of the month expressing their support for the project,” said Webber. “I’d say right now we think there’s a good probability that will happen, but it’s one of those things until it does we will all be on standby.”
When reached for comment, NB Power spokesperson Dominique Couture said the company continues “to collaborate with the Town of Hartland on their initiative and have had several positive conversations.”
Council looking at options for dangerous turn
Council is considering options after meeting with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure about concerns about a dangerous turn on Rockland Road. The council discussed the possibility of lowering the speed limit past the turn from 80 kilometres per hour to 50.
Webber said that by going through a discussion with the district engineer, the town can define speed limits within the town.
Coun. Sam Walton said he would like to see the issue addressed before the school year begins, as many children who live on the turn and get on the bus. He stressed that while the town can’t change people’s habits, the town should still do its due diligence.
Another suggestion came from Coun. Jason Smith said the town could consider extending the school zone for the Hartland Community School past the turn. He gave the village of New Maryland as an example, with a school zone that extends further than most school zones.
“I wonder if it’s not something else to explore to get additional signage for a school zone on the opposite side of that turn,” said Smith. “Because their fines double or triple in some cases.”
CAO Webber said the town has a good relationship with the RCMP and could ask for monitoring of speed. He said council can get a recommendation at the next committee of the whole meeting and then get council’s feedback.
Council chooses blue background for logo
The town council voted on whether to use a white or blue background for its new town logo sign package, with the majority voting for blue. Mayor Tracey DeMerchant and Deputy Mayor Stewart Fairgrieve were the two votes for a white background with the large signs.
Webber told the River Valley Sun that the town received funding for signage following the amalgamation of local service districts (LSDs) into the town. He said the town is deciding where to place welcome and waypoint signs in the LSDs that are now included in the town.
“Our entry points where you cross into Hartland is comprised 100 per cent by former LSDs,” he said.
“We will try to figure out how many signs we can afford and where to place them.”
Council approves $6,500 in community group grants
Council approved municipal grants for three local community groups. Motions were approved for a $4,000 grant to the Waterville Community Club, a $1,500 grant for River Valley Cancer Support Group, and a $1,000 grant for Hartland Helpers.
Webber told council the Waterville Community Club was already informed of the grant as it was included in the town’s 2024 budget, while the other two groups had yet to be informed.
“[River Valley Cancer Support Group and Hartland Helpers] are both in the opinion of the town, and I discussed this with Treasurer [Tina] Pelkey, worthy causes and both provide very important services in our community,” said Webber.
Town approves liquor license for comedy event
Council passed a motion to approve a liquor license for Bridgeview Plaza for the 2024 Belly Laughs on the Bridge event. The motion was approved without discussion.
