Residents say nearby fires are dangerous to their health, safety

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By Meg Edwards
Times & Transcript Staff

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PORT ELGIN - A new bylaw is in the works for Port Elgin residents that will control the size and placement of backyard fires.

Concerned residents Patsy Murphy and Beverly Melanson visited the council with their complaint about a local resident who has large fires on his riverside property in Port Elgin.

Beverly Melanson says that she cannot open her windows or sit on her deck when the fires are burning. "It is garbage being burned, from old houses, so it can contain shingles, asbestos, and rubber, it stinks, and it is harmful to the environment." She says the fire pit is 10 feet by 20 feet and the flames can leap up to 10 feet.

The fires cause Melanson to have asthma attacks and she fears her century old house could be set on fire by flying sparks.

Fire Chief Steve Alward says there are no specific burning bylaws in Port Elgin other than the burning bans that are posted by the Department of Natural Resources. Deputy Mayor Val MacDermid was enthusiastic in her support of a bylaw, but expressed concern over its application.

Port Elgin does not have a bylaw officer. It was agreed that the council would research current bylaws that exist in Sackville, Dorchester, Moncton and Riverview.

Alward suggested that the fire department could enforce a bylaw if the RCMP called them to extinguish a fire.

In other news:

* The Computer Adult Learning Centre at Port Elgin School (Calnet) is excited about their ability to offer courses to adults who are over 18 years and want to complete their GED. They are looking for candidates to register this fall. Students can study online or in the centre. Tutoring is available.

* Port Elgin Public Library has hired Liz Kerrigan as Summer Activity leader. Liz, who is on the Dean's list in her third year at Mount Allison in Environmental Science and English Literature, has some exciting ideas for the reading club this summer. SEED student and past resident of Port Elgin, Danielle Trenholm, will share her work time between the Sackville library and the Port Elgin library.

* Fire Chief Steve Alward is one of the instructors giving a course in Fire Fighter Training in Sackville.