$275,000 in town budget now earmarked for salt shed, police-fire hall project

A5

By Wally Sears
Times & Transcript Staff

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SACKVILLE - A proposed expansion of the overcrowded Sackville Town Hall has been put on hold while alternatives are explored, and the $275,000 budgeted amount will be designated to other seemingly more important projects.

Council agreed at its September meeting to transfer $50,000 to a more costly-than-expected salt shed and the remaining $225,000 to assist in developing a long-awaited police-fire hall building.

The low bid of $45l,000 from Myview Construction of Moncton was $50,000 more than the estimated figure and the transfer will cover the original shortfall.

Meanwhile, the next step is underway to provide the RCMP with facilities that meet provincial policing standards as well as a new fire hall to house an ever-growing number of vehicles. The fire hall, more than 50 years old, has become overcrowded and hazardous, especially with the arrival of the latest truck. Neither the old RCMP barracks nor the previous municipal police station meet standards with the RCMP forced to transfer prisoners to Shediac as local cells fail to meet minimum standards.

A contract for $97,700 has been granted to Keltic Consultants to carry out Phase 2 or the preliminary designs for the building, which some have estimated to cost in the $3 million-$4 million range. One councillor said that there is unlikely to be any outside assistance with local taxpayers required to shoulder the costs.

Earlier plans called for the extension of the second floor of Town Hall to match the first level as office space is at a minimum. However, with expanded library requirements looming, any changes should be considered premature.

There was some good news introduced when Paul Henderson told council that more than 3,000 people from throughout the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario and the U.S. attended the three-day OKQuoi! festival at the end of July, in addition to the 120 artists who performed throughout the weekend. He said a survey of local businesses showed a dramatic spike in sales as business was stimulated while the festival was well controlled with no problems for police.

He said planning is already under way for 2009 with hopes of offering a program for children and some free programs for local adults.

Mayor Pat Estabrooks congratulated festival organizers saying it is the sort of thing a small town needs. She also noted it met with tremendous success even though The Eagles were performing in nearby Moncton.

Council also agreed to provide a spot in the industrial park for Wilson Wreaths. Recently purchased by a local group, the plant is being transferred here and a new building will under wayshortly. John Higham, the person responsible for community development, said he could give no indication as to the number of people the new plant will employ.

Long-time employee Rebekah Cant was named acting director of community development and tourism, succeeding Cary Murray who recently resigned. Higham said plans call for advertising for applications for the position on a full-time basis soon but, in the meantime, Cant will continue with a variety of thrusts in which she has been closely involved.

The entire nine-member council will attend the annual Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick from Oct. 3 to 5 in St. Andrew's. Councillor Virgil Hammock suggested that a number of serious issues will be faced and, hopefully, solved during that time. He said a number of big changes are coming down from Fredericton which need addressing.

The four-member Sackville Volunteer Firefighting team that took gold in Newfoundland in the regional Toughest Two Minutes in Sport will be in Ontario this weekend to participate in the national competition. Sackville is in the running to host the regional event in 2009.

Five years ago garbage disposal became a hot issue when PBS of Amherst defeated the local firm Tantramar Sanitation for the five-year contract by underbidding by a considerable amount. Ultimately, the situation wound up in court but it was settled. Now a new tender call is to be issued with some changes in the wording -- and it will be for three years. The service will not be included for apartment buildings including four or more units and it will not be necessary to provide a transfer station.