Hartland council approves funding application for Main Street repairs
The town council has settled on a project for milling, paving, and curbing repairs on Main Street.
During a special council meeting on Tuesday, April 29, Treasurer Tina Pelkey and Acting Director of Public Works Jed Giberson reviewed options for the town to consider for road repairs. The work entails milling and paving on Route 105 from the southern town limits to McMullen Road.
Giberson detailed three options, noting that it was to address curbing and water drainage along Route 105. Option one was a complete mill and paving from McMullin Road to Walton Car Wash and Laundromat. The town’s portion for option one came in at $710,000 to cover 1.3 kilometres.
Giberson said there are ponding and puddling issues along the stretch of road.
Pelkey said $595,000 would be funded through the province, with $15,000 coming from town reserves.
The second option was for milling and paving 525 metres from McMullin Road to the car wash, as well as curb, gutter and sidewalk work, with the town responsible for up to $320,000.
Option three was a complete mill and paving and guard rails being done from the southern town limit sign to the car wash where the sidewalk ends, totalling 850 metres.
“We’re essentially going to be leapfrogging from where the town had left off back in 2017,” said Giberson.
Pelkey put the town’s share of the cost for option three at $114,051.
Multiple councillors expressed concern about waiting for the entire stretch of road if going with option three, with the council. Wayne Britton said it could be a three to five-year wait.
“…In three to five years you’re not going to be paying $1.6 million to do it you’re going to be paying $2 million probably,” said Britton.
Deputy Mayor Fairgrieve said he was against leapfrogging on road projects, as he’s seen the work never actually be addressed in the past.
“But it’s been my experience and it’s my belief right now that if we leapfrog that portion of [Route] 105 and Main Street – that is McMillan to wherever – without a plan to go back and address that at some future point it may never get addressed,” said Fairgrieve.
Hartland council approves move to have more regular council meetings
The Council approved a bylaw amendment to change the monthly committee of the whole meetings to regular council meetings. A motion was approved during the April 29 special council meeting in the wake of a lengthy discussion on the matter at a committee of the whole meeting one week prior.
Chief Administrative Officer Julie Stockford said the idea is to go to two regular council meetings per month, and updates have been made to requirements for posting minutes, mandate composition, procedures for standing committees, guidelines for establishing and operating special ad hoc committees, and bylaw enactment and amendment.
Coun. George Boone – fresh off a byelection win – asked for clarification that the change won’t affect the configuration of committees. CAO Stockford confirmed this was the case, allowing for more regular meetings for “housekeeping.”
Hartland Mayor Tracey DeMerchant added the move means “we can get more business done quickly.”
The council had first and second readings for the bylaw amendment, with a third and final reading at a coming council meeting.
Council approves funding submission to replace backhoe
Council approved the town’s submission to the Municipal Capital Borrowing Board to borrow a capital expense of $110,000 over five years for a new backhoe.
The town will sell its 2011 JCB backhoe. The council approved a motion to sell the backhoe at auction later in May. CAO Stockford reviewed a clerk report, noting they were unsure what value it would get at auction, estimating approximately $15,000.
Town approved for variety of funding opportunities
During the April 22 committee of the whole meeting, Director of Communication and Development Michelle Derrah went over several funding opportunities and applications.
Derrah said an annual application to the federal government for $1,210 had been approved, and $74,000 from RDC (Regional Development Corporation) for arena demolition costs.
A Belleterre Community Partners project application was also approved at 75 per cent, said Derrah.
Belleterre’s website details a development agreement with the town for a new 20-unit affordable housing apartment and a 15-lot plan subdivision.
Derrah said the company had to apply for funding for their portion of the project and is waiting on confirmation.
