Decision on railway station

Doug De La Matter addresses MV Council Feb. 5 2018

At a packed meeting today after listening to a delegation from Doug De La Matter of the Madawaska Valley Culture and Heritage Society (MVCHS), Madawaska Valley Council passed the following motion:

“It is agreed in principle that the Township of Madawaska Valley enter into a lease agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with the Madawaska Valley Culture and Heritage Society for the Railway Station building and park. It is understood that any such lease is subject to the parties agreeing to mutually acceptable terms. By February 13, 2018 the parties will advise each other of their nominated representatives for such negotiations.”

The proposal by MVCHS is to operate the site as a combined Tourist Information Centre, Museum, Gallery, Activity Centre and to host events such as the Farmers’ Market and festivals like Taste of the Valley. De La Matter said that MVCHS suggests a 5-year lease of the building and park at a nominal rent (similar to Wilno Heritage Park) but with an annual operating grant from Madawaska Valley (like the Madawaska Valley Public Library). MVCHS is in the process of incorporating as a non-profit, charitable organization. De La Matter anticipates that with fund-raising and the grant opportunities available to a non-profit (that are not available to the municipality), the amount that MVCHS will require from the Township will be reduced in future years.

The Current will report additional details of the matters discussed at this meeting, including the comments of councillors, and an analysis in the near future.