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RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF MISCOUCHE
Monthly Council Meeting
February 8th, 2022
1. OPENING MEETING
Mayor Albert Gallant called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Present:
Albert Gallant – Mayor
Allan Parks – Deputy Mayor
Jacqueline Lecky- Councillor
Pat MacLellan – Councillor
John Searle- Councillor
Ivan Blanchard- Councillor
Joan Arsenault – Councillor
Michelle Perry- CAO
2. Declaration of Conflict of Interest: No one declared a conflict of interest.
3. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Fire Chief Jason Woodbury gave the following report: The money that was received from the Insurance companies was given to the department as a donation and this has been taken place for years. But if the council wanted to have the money turned over to them as they pay for the supplies that is fine with the department. Council discussed it and decided to leave it as is for now until they can get a committee together to go over the department as a whole. The department has $15,201.60 in a fund for a new Rescue truck. Budget has been completed and was given and discussed with Allan and Michelle. The department still has restrictions at the hall and are doing rapid testing after a call. The captain position has been filled and Kelly MacLeod was appointed to the position. The senior officers will be updating the EMO plan. In regard to the water supply that the community is thinking about putting in, this is a great idea as this is very much needed in the community, however it is where it will go in. Michelle informed council that she was in touch with a few other communities that put in more than 1 hydrant, and they hired a consultant, but since the community is only looking to put 1 in the best place maybe the fire hall as the electrical is already there and they would not need to have a building for the pump house. Council will decide at a later date if this is the best place. John added to the report that there was 1 call last month and there has been no interest in new members for the juniors. Gillis’s heating will be connecting the water softener to the main hall soon. Doug added that there are also elections soon for the positions of training officer and secretary
Albert thanked Jason, John and Doug for the report.
4. MAINTENANCE REPORT: Monty MacAusland gave the following report: The snow blower has had a more than a few break downs within the last couple of weeks, it is over 20 years old and is starting to show its wear. It has over 3400 hours on it and council might want to look at maybe replacing it after this year. The Key switch went on it, and it will take 3-4 days to have it fixed and cost between 800-1000. Ivan will look into getting some prices for a new and used blower.
MOTION moved by John Searle seconded by Jacqueline Lecky and carried
THAT the community hire someone to clean the sidewalks till the blower is fixed.
5. REC CENTER REPORT: Councilor Jacqueline Lecky gave the following report: With the new regulations coming into effect on February 17 we are checking with public health to see if we can start the bingos again. Also, there is a leak in the roof at the rec center on the back wall and there were 3-4 tiles that came down that were full of water. It’s a steel roof with a slight pitch and a membrane on it. Allan will look at getting some names for contractors to have a look at it.
MOTION moved by Allan Parks seconded by Jacqueline Lecky and carried
THAT the community hire a professional roofer to have a look at the roof.
6. ADOPTION OF MINUTES: Meeting Minutes for January 11th, Special meeting January 13th and 14th 2022.
MOTION moved by Ivan Blanchard seconded by Jacqueline Lecky and carried
THAT the minutes for January 11th, Special meeting January 13th and 14th 2022 be approved as presented.
7. BUSINESS ARISING:
a) West Lagoon Upgrades: Some of council met with WSP on January 14 and were informed that there will be no construction till at least 2023. There is testing results that have to be done on the wetlands and the sludge before a design plan can be done.
b) Shared office space for Municipalities: The meeting was cancelled in January and has been rescheduled for February 14 at 2 pm.
c) Budget/ Capital Expenditures: Council was given the budget that Jason proposed and the budget that Michelle and Allan proposed for the Fire department. The overall budget that Jason proposed was for 115,525.00 and Allan and Michelle are proposing 113,000.00. They removed the Uniforms and the Honorarium increase and increased the training, truck maintenance and equipment budget. Council decided that at this time that did not want to purchase the uniforms as this was not a safety issue, and if there is money left at the end of the budget then they can re-evaluate. Council agreed to put the budget numbers in for proposed budget of 113,000.00. Proposed Budget meeting will be February 15th at 6:00 pm with a storm date of February 16 at 6:00 pm.
d) General Borrowing Bylaw: council had a chance to review the borrowing bylaw and te 1st reading will follow the budget meeting of February 15th.
e) Man door at the Firehall: Michelle had someone look at the door and they suggested to caulk the door around the inside and out. Monty will do this on the next fine day.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) Fire Dept: Already Discussed
b) Planning Board- Development Permits- Scooters dairy bar rebuild.
c) Sewer: No defaults on the payment plans, and the new bills are being printed to go out in April.
d) Firehall Maintenance & Street Lights: Street light was installed on Gillis st, and a few people called to say thank you for installing really made a difference.
e) Community Improvements: Lots of kids using the snow hill in the ball field.
f) Finances: Borrowing: transferring into the capital expenditures fund.
MOTION moved by Jacqueline Lecky seconded by Allan Parks and carried
THAT the Community transfer $25,000.00 into the Capital Expenditures fund as per the budget approval.
9. APPROVAL OF BILLS TOTALING $ 41,761.57
MOTION moved by Ivan Blanchard seconded by John Searle and carried
THAT the payment of the bills totaling $ 41,761.57 is approved.
10. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Light over Seniors door: The light fixture needs to be replaced as it is broken at the top and just hanging. Monty was able to attach the fixture back for now. Council would like to see a LED with the dusk to dawn option on it.
b) Cost of living raise for the employees: Monty and Michelle left the room for council to discuss the raise.
Michelle and Monty came back into the room and council voted.
MOTION moved by Allan Parks seconded by Pat MacLellan and carried
THAT the employees receive a raise of 2.6% starting April 1st, 2022
11. NEXT MEETING: March 8th, 2022
12. MEETING ADJOURNED
MOTION moved by John Searle THAT the meeting of February 8th, 2022 be adjourned.