REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 20TH, 2022
TIME: 7:00 pm
Attendance: Mayor Tom Eagles, Deputy Mayor Gary Harding, Councillor Tim Corbin, Councillor Sharon DeWitt, Councillor Wright
Staff: Patty St. Peter, Chief Administrative Officer
Press: Corrine Fitzherbert – Brunswick News
Public: Andy Lenehan, Lenehan, McCain & Associates
1. Call to Order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Opening Prayer: Mayor Eagles lead the meeting in the Lord’s Prayer
Mayor Eagles asked for a moment of silence in the passing of Mike Jarvis. Mr. Jarvis retired from the RCMP and moved back to his hometown. He volunteered for various organizations and ran for municipal council and was elected in 2004 as Deputy Mayor and reoffered in 2006 and was reelected for another term.
Mayor Eagles welcomed everyone to the meeting.
3. Recording of attendance
4. Disclosure of Conflict of Interest – None
5. Approval of Agenda
MOTION: The agenda be approved – Deputy Mayor Harding, Councillor DeWitt
Motion Carried – 2022-72
6. Approval of Minutes
MOTION: Regular Meeting May 16th, 2022, be approved – Councillor Corbin, Councillor Wright – Motion Carried – 2022-73
MOTION: Special Meeting May 30th, 2022, be approved – Deputy Mayor Harding, Councillor Wright – Motion Carried – 2022-74
7. Lenehan McCain Presentation of 2021 Financial Statements
Mayor Eagles welcomed Mr. Andy Lenehan to the meeting to present council the financial statements for 2021. Mayor Eagles noted after the presentation a Q/R will be offered to those who have any questions.
Mr. Lenehan thanked Mayor and Council for the opportunity to provide audit and financial advice services to the village and encourage you to contact us with any questions, comments, or concerns. Andy advised he will concentrate on the key pages for our review/discussion. He noted please feel free to pose questions at any point.
Consolidated financial results (page 3 of financial statements)
. Following the required Canadian public sector accounting standards (PSAB), the village achieve a surplus of $230,379 during the 2021 year as compared to a deficit of $(92,585) during the 2020 year.
. The 2021-year total revenue of $2,343,218 were approx. $220,000 higher than 2020 while expenditures were approx. $100,000 lower than the previous year at $2,112,839.
. The largest variance in revenues related to the other gov’t transfer which included 124K of gas tax funding.
Other contributors to higher gov’t transfers included Covid funding of 67K and RDC
funding of 120K for the water lagoon project.
. Actual revenues were higher than budgeted, again primarily due to other gov’t transfer.
. On the expenditure side, the only significant change related to the water and sewer line which decreased from 497K to 396K. In part, this is attributable to 128K spent on Dillon Consulting services which are recorded as new tangible capital assets (which we will discuss separately.
. Overall, a strong financial result was achieved a gain by the village during the 2021 year.
Consolidated financial position (page 1 of financial statements)
. On December 31, 2021, the village had total financial assets of $819,853 as compared to $640,676 on December 31, 2020, so positive progress.
. On December 31, 2021, the village had $2,145,621 in total liabilities, which was comparable to the $2,151,219 the previous year
. As shown on page 1, the net debt has decreased by $184,775 from $1,510,543 to $1,325,768 which is solid progress.
Outcome 2021
. The reconciliation of annual surplus (conversation to the previous accounting standards) used for tax rate/assessment purposes shows a surplus of $152,860 for the operating fund a surplus of $2,647 for the water/sewer operating fund
. The village was able to invest $265,257 in new tangible capital assets during 2021 including:
Generator $56,836 (gas tax project)
Street resurfacing $51,103 (gas tax project)
Land acquirements $4,694
Sidewalks renewal $16,439 (gas tax project)
Bunker suits $8,109
Water lagoon work $128,076 (RDC funding)
The village was able to purchase capital assets without new borrowing of money.
Closing Remarks
. We discovered no significant issues or problems during our audit procedures
. We congratulate the Mayor, Council, senior management, and staff for a successful fiscal year.
Mayor Eagles thanked Andy for his firms first year completion of the villages audit for 2021
Mayor thanked the CAO for keeping council on track and extended thanks to department heads for managing their departmental budgets frugally. Mayor Eagles stated the budget for 2023 will be different due to the government reform but hopefully some of the surplus can be put in the 2023 reserve. It was noted having a reserve is important.
8. Committee Reports:
Mayor Eagles
Regional Service Commission
There have been two board meetings held via Zoom on June 2nd and June 15th. The big topic during the board meetings is government reform. The advisory committee meetings were held on May 31st, June 2nd, and June 14th. Dis
RCMP Sub Committee
No report
UMNB
The AGM was held in Dieppe in May.
Deputy Mayor Gary Harding
Public Works
- Ditching and reclaiming along First, Hillcrest and Cedar Street
- New wiring done on the trailer
- Work done on the sweeper
- Changed the front tires on the plow truck
- Flushed a line on Main Street
- Cold patch on Roulston Avenue
- New catch basin and culvert on Hillcrest Street
- Ditching on Centennial Court
- Sweeping Main Street
- Repairs done to the side conveyor on the truck
- Spread topsoil on First Street
- Repaired water leaks at the pool building and installed new taps
- Dug on Post Street to install a clean out as the line was blocked
- Repairing ground at the booster station
- Checked on the generator
- Patching on Fraser Street and Sunrise Lane
- Called to repair a water line on Main Street
- Built signpost holders
Tobique Forestry Advisory Committee
Meeting was held May 31st with an operating plan update was presented by Stephane Dufour. It was noted 75% of the wood cut in 2022 will be from plantations. They are planning where they clear cut last year. There will be a tour of the tree planting this Thursday. There was twenty-nine hectares burnt in the fire out the Odell. It was noted they are finding a lot of dead calf moose from moose ticks.
Cemetery
The cemetery is being mowed and is looking good. There are a lot of headstones that need to be straightened up and grave markers to be brought up as they are sinking in the ground. We had Ray’s Monuments in to look them over. His rate to complete the work is $50/hr. and he thinks he could complete the work in 12 hours. There are a lot of stones that belong to veterans of the First and Second World War. Mayor Eagles has contacted Veteran Affairs and they are to come this year and do some work to these stones.
Deputy Mayor Harding read over the schedule for SummerFest
Councillor Tim Corbin
Recreation
- Tourism project:
- Ordered topsoil
- Talked with garden designer and greenery supplier about timelines
- Put out tender for walkway (this needs to be done ASAP).
- Worked with funder to establish electronic portal for issuing invoices
- Ordered kayaks, paddle boards, peddle boats and paddles. Kayaks, peddle boats and paddles are here. Paddle boards are still on order.
- Ordered storage shed for watercraft.
- ParticipACTION
- Advertised the 2022 Community Better Challenge
- Worked with two students to create a plan for activities.
- Registered the Village on the ParticipACTION website.
- Ordered supplies for activities.
- Came up with two ideas for community participation to be held in the next few weeks.
- I encourage organizations, individuals, and families in the E7G postal code area to sign onto the 2022 Community Better Challenge website, register, and track their minutes.
- Attended the Western Valley Recreation Association meeting in Centreville.
- Tender for surfacing of trail was awarded – wrote a letter to successful bidder.
- Attended interviews for Fitness Centre, wrote letters to those who were interviewed, prepared job description and letter of offer for successful candidate.
- Western Valley Tourism Project – Put out the survey regarding the WV Tourism Association on Facebook and sent via e-mail to tourism operators.
- Ordered new poles and net for tennis court. Both have arrived.
- Booked line painter for parking lot and tennis courts. One court will also be lined for pickle ball. They were lined on June 15th.
- Story Tent will operate every Tuesday in July from 1:30 – 2:30 for children 0 – 12.
- Have the bouncy castle set up.
- July 1st – Cassista band booked, cupcakes ordered, Gary’s fries, BBQ by SPCA, organizing a vendor’s market, kid’s activities, free swimming.
- Working on the Queen’s Jubilee Celebration.
Councillor Tony Wright
Fire Department
- 4 Grass fires
- 1 Forest fire
- 1 Grass fire in Perth Fire Department area while the Perth Department were battling a structure fire
- 2 Motor vehicle accidents
- 1 Power pole fire
Councillor Wright read a letter received from the Fire Chief Tim Corbin concerning the lack of police and ambulance coverage in our area.
Mayor Eagles advised a meeting should be set up with Public Safety to discuss policing services. His Worship stated it is the systems fault not members of the RCMP. It was noted as a community we are not getting the bang for our buck. Mayor Eagles also stated a meeting with Ambulance NB should be set up to discuss the shortage of staffing and service. Communication will be carbon copied to our MLA Margaret Johnson.
Economic Development
No report
Pond Hockey
No report
Councillor Sharon DeWitt
Finance
MONTHLY INCOME EXPENSE
GENERAL $138,064.28 $105,375.36
WATER & SEWER $ 34,261.70 $ 48,503.62
TOTAL $172,325.98 $153,878.98
For the month of May 2022 Councillor DeWitt provided the following information.
General Operating – Actual Revenue $138,064.28 with projected revenue of $126,193.41. Shows plus revenue of $11,870.87. Actual Expenses $105,375.36 with projected expenses of $99,143.77. Shows over expenditures of $6231.59
Water Account – Actual Revenue $34,261.71 with projected of $32,520.59. Shows plus revenue of $1,741.11. Actual Expenses $48,503.62 with projected expenses of $39,815.12. Shows over expenditures of $8,688.50.
Library
Katie Giberson has been hired as our Summer Reading Club Co-ordinator. She started work on May 16th for a period of 14 weeks. Shania Tomlinson and Emma Sisson will be our Student Library Clerks this summer, each one for a term of 8 weeks.
Talk With Me has been offering preschool sessions each Tuesday morning, and we have arranged to proceed with Story Tent each Tuesday afternoon during the month of July.
Summer Reading Club opening parties will be held on the 29th and 30th of June, for pre-readers and readers groups.
The Newcomer’s evening was held on May 26th but was not well attended.
Brilliant Labs are offering a few after school programs during the month of June – we are not sure if they will be able to continue through the summer.
The library has been offering one STEAM and one ART program each month. This number will be increased over the summer.
Tobique Valley Community Health Centre Advisory Committee
The next meeting is scheduled in the fall.
Mayor Eagles advised Bell Aliant is expanding Fiber opt to the Plaster Rock area by the end of the year. It was also noted that Roger’s are expanding their ignite service by have not indicated in what area. Explornet is expanding their services to the area
MOTION: Reports be accepted as submitted and accounts payable for May be approved – Councillor Corbin, Councillor Wright Motion Carried 2022-75
Mayor Eagles advised tennis court looks good with the resurfacing and new lines. His Worship stated recent activity will be seen with the project by the lake starting.
9. Chief Administrative Officer Report
- Correspondence forwarded addressing items discussed from previous meetings completed
- Minutes
- Agenda, admin report and financial report for meeting
- Accounting
- Operational Administration duties
- Deposits
- Payroll (direct)
- Provided Dept. Heads with their departmental financial reports for March
- Providing required information to the auditor
- Entity 78 meeting held in council chambers on April 25th, Zoom Meeting May 12th
- Organized the newsletters being distributed to Gordon, Lorne and village
- RSC Working group meeting May 12th
- Received complaints of residents burning in the village
- Discussions with auditor and continue in providing information
- Attended a meeting in Centreville May 12th
CAO noted a motion of council is required for the approval of the 2021 Financial Statements.
MOTION: The Chief Administrative Officer report be accepted – Deputy Mayor Harding, Councillor Corbin Motion Carried 2022-76
MOTION: Approval of the 2021 Consolidated Financial Statements as presented by Lenehan McCain & Associates be accepted – Councillor Wright, Councillor DeWitt
Motion Carried 2022-77
10. Business Arising from the Minutes
a) NB Commissioner on Systemic Racism – No response from email asking for more information and direction.
It was decided a follow up email be forwarded from the original request.
11. New Business
a) Letter from resident Marven Goodine
Letter was read. Mayor Eagles advised a committee to be set up with Deputy Mayor Harding, CAO, and foreman to review costing of signage and rubble strips. Information to be brought back to council. CAO to respond to Mr. Goodine letter advising council has decided to gather more information before moving forward with a decision.
b) First Street Asphalt Tenders
The CAO advised the village received two tenders as follows.
Northern Construction $108,500.00 plus taxes
Ray’s Paving $130,000 plus taxes
Councillor Corbin questions where the funding is coming from. Mayor Eagles advised this is part of the gas tax program.
c) Plaster Rock SummerFest inviting council to participate in the parade on Saturday, July 16th line up at 10:00 at the high school with the parade starting at 10:30 a.m.
Council agreed to take part in the parade. CAO to advise Lorna Fournier of council’s participation.
d) Offers on 2008 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup
Mayor Eagles asked the CAO to read the offers received for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado Pick up.
Derek Deleavy $1000.00
Gerri Everett $2000.00
Danny Dyer $1500.00
Timothy Corbin $575.00
e) Garden Project – Pathway Tenders
Mayor Eagles advised this project creates a 2500 sq foot expose garden pathway in the lake area.
CAO stated two tenders have been received for pathway.
Transit Construction Inc. – $57,200.00 plus tax
MGE Concrete Corp – $33,750.00 plus tax
Mayor Eagles asked for council to entertain a motion to award the pathway tender.
Motion Carried 2022-80
f) Plaster Rock Golf Club, 15th Annual Merchants Day requesting donation towards tournament sign of $100.00
g) Tina Parish McCooey asking permission to have alcohol for the rental of the Welcome Center on September 24, 2022.
Motion Carried 2022-82
12. Correspondence
a) Thank You Card from Jan Greer
Mayor Eagles asked the CAO to read the card.
13. Next Meeting Date
Mayor Eagles asked council to entertain a motion for the next regular monthly meeting.
MOTION: The next Regular Meeting be Monday, July 25th, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Phil Sharkey Memorial Center Activity Room – Councillor Wright, Councillor DeWitt
Motion Carried – 2022-83
14. Closed Session – Labour, Land
MOTION – Meeting go into closed session @7:57 p.m. – Councillor Corbin, Deputy Mayor Harding Motion Carried – 2022-84
MOTION: Meeting resume into regular session @ 8:51 p.m. – Deputy Mayor Harding, Councillor DeWitt – Motion Carried – 2022-85
MOTION: Adjournment @8:55 p.m. – Councillor Wright, Deputy Mayor Harding
Motion Carried – 2022-91
_____________________________ __________________________________
Tom Eagles, Mayor Patty St. Peter, CAO/Clerk
