On June 2 Madawaska Valley Council broke new ground by holding its first virtual Planning Meeting with public participation on YouTube. As Mayor Kim Love later said at the Special Council meeting held that afternoon, “Council seems to be able to conduct business … and certainly our Planning meeting this morning went very well.” Councillor Mark Willmer agreed, saying, “We saw how we could incorporate the public into our meetings this morning.” Council, staff, applicants and their legal representatives all participated in the meeting. Above, Silas Lorbetski, Manager of Planning Licencing and Development (outlined in green) introduces the first application. From left (Top) Cllr Mark Willmer, Mayor Kim Love, Cllr David Shulist, CAO Suzanne Klatt; (Middle) Cllr Ernie Peplinski, Silas Lorbetski, Cllr Carl Bromwich, Ray Pastway; (Bottom) Paul Gulyas, Robert Howe and Courtney Burnett (Howe & Bradley), Dave Eagles
Planning meeting outcome
Approvals given at the Planning meeting resulted in four By-Laws passed by Council at the afternoon meeting. (See Special Council Meeting Agenda for details.) The uncontroversial site specific Zoning By-Law amendments involved properties in Radcliffe (Combermere), Sherwood (Mask Island),Radcliffe (Blackfish Bay) and Burns (Paugh Lake).
YouTube recordings of MV meetings remain on the internet so members of the public who could not watch in real time have the opportunity to review the proceedings at their convenience. This practice replaces the audio recordings the Township placed on Soundcloud prior to the pandemic.
Peplinski grumbles about Canada Day — again
During the first Municipal Report at the Special Council meeting, Councillor Peplinski revisited the scene of a former gripe when Recreation & Community Development Coordinator Stephanie Plebon reported on the municipality’s grant application for Canada Day. Because of COVID-19 restrictions the Township’s celebration was re-scheduled for Saturday September 6 but in all other respects the plans were unchanged. This did not meet with Peplinski’s approval, “I’ve talked in the past about not using all that money for the fireworks in Barry’s Bay and I am absolutely determined that that money should be spent across the whole community…. I don’t know who you spoke with, maybe one person, at the community in Combermere, but no one is happy with that situation if we give all the money again to an event that happens in Barry’s Bay.”
Plebon responded that, having been previously consulted, Combermere and Wilno were each getting some of the grant funds for specific activities and she asked if Peplinski also wanted fireworks in Combermere and Wilno. The councillor said he did not. “I think that’s a tremendous waste of money…. Every year, do I have to have this argument with Council — and staff, who seems to be making all the decisions?”
Mayor Love responded reminding Peplinski that Council has continued “to support having the fireworks in Barry’s Bay and as far as I know that has been the will of Council.”
Peplinski’s objections prompted Councillor Mark Willmer to pointedly say, “I’m going to state my community is Madawaska Valley and that’s very clear — that includes Wilno — that includes Barry’s Bay — that includes Combermere. You cannot effectively use $14,000 by dividing it too finely.”
Readers may recall Peplinski grilled Plebon over the Canada Day 2019 grant with similar accusations (Click HERE to read.)
Municipal reports
Council also heard more staff reports on
- tenders for gravel throughout the township, and for resurfacing Smaglinski Stoppa Parkway
- cloud-based financial software for the Township (to be funded from the Modernization grant)
- a grant application for Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Municipal Asset Management Program for Building Condition Assessments to progress the Township’s asset management by having all municipal properties assessed.
- Township office re-design
COVID-19 update
Mindful of potential health risks for staff and the lack of space in the Council Chambers, Council passed a Resolution that electronic meetings will continue until the removal of the provincial Emergency Order.
CAO Klatt sought Council’s direction on reopening beaches and privies this season, given the pandemic restrictions. A long discussion ensued including consideration of the financial impact of staffing and more frequent cleaning of privies due to COVID-19. Council decided not to put out any picnic tables, and to install signage about physical distancing and that swimming is at own risk (due to no water testing by the County Health Unit). Council acknowledged the situation is liable to sudden change and eventually passed a Resolution that signage and privies be installed within the next week but that they not advertise that beaches will be open.
You can tune in to the next Special Council Meeting at 1 p.m. on June 9.
