Council approves two major Dorchester projects, and commits to new fire hall by 2026
Last week Tantramar council approved over a million dollars in spending in Dorchester, with a tender awarded for the reconstruction of Station Road and an approval to buy a new pumper truck for the Dorchester Fire Department. But both purchases hit snags with budget limitations before they were approved.
The reconstruction of Station Road will see 115 metres of roadway rebuilt with curbs and storm sewers. The lowest bidder on the project was Bowsers’ Construction, but even their bid of roughly $312,000 (HST included) was about $50,000 too high for the allocated budget. Town engineer Jon Eppell told council he came close to recommending reducing the length of the reconstruction by one fifth, but Treasurer Michael Beal came up with a fix, thanks to some unspent funds in the municipality’s snow removal budget.
Last year, Tantramar decided to buy additional equipment in order to take on snow clearing in Dorchester. Previously, the village had relied on private contractors to do the work. Because staff weren’t sure if the equipment would arrive in time for the snow season, the town kept its budget allocation for contracted snow removal in this year’s budget. But the equipment did arrive in time, and so that money was not spent, which turns out to be good news for Station Road.
“Within the 2024 budget for the Dorchester sub-unit, we have $90,000 that is unallocated,” Beal told council last week.… Continue
Tantramar water and sewer rates may go up 6.7%, lagoon upgrade planning could begin next year
Tantramar kicked off budget season last week when treasurer Michael Beal presented the proposed water and sewer utility budget at a special meeting on October 24.
The costs to run Sackville and Dorchester water and sewer services are separate from the town’s general operating budget. Both services are funded by utility bill payments, in Sackville according to metered water use, and in Dorchester with a flat sewer and water tax rate. For both the village and the town, Beal is proposing a 6.7% increase in those fees for 2024.
Increased fees are not as high as they could be, considering some $72,000 savings in administration costs, thanks to the amalgamation of Sackville and Dorchester utility operations.
That savings is balanced out with a cost increase for water services in Dorchester. In August, council approved a move to hire Veolia Water Technologies to run the Dorchester water treatment plant. The global water services company is also on contract to operate the Sackville and Moncton water treatment plants. Beal told council that change accounted for an increase in water services costs of about $110,000.
Without the amalgamation savings, hiring Veolia in Dorchester “would have resulted in a straight rate increase for those in Dorchester,” Beal told council. “But because of the combined the savings we had, in certain areas, we were able to do this with a minimal increase in rates.”… Continue
‘He’s absolutely exceptional’: Michael Beal appointed treasurer of Tantramar
Tantramar has a new treasurer, and it’s the old treasurer.
Former Sackville treasurer Michael Beal has been serving as acting treasurer for Tantramar since the amalgamation, even though his official job title in the town’s new organizational structure has been director of corporate compliance.
In a brief, two-minute long public session following a closed meeting on Tuesday, Tantramar council approved Beal’s appointment as treasurer. (The appointment is one of three that requires council approval, along with clerk and CAO.)
CHMA called up CAO Jennifer Borne on Thursday to hear more about the decision to appoint Beal.
“I think anyone that’s ever been in council chambers or watched one of Sackville meetings knows that that Mr. Beal is certainly the right guy for the position,” says Borne. “The years of experience and expertise that he comes with is just, you know, outstanding.”
Beal has been in municipal government for three decades, and served as Sackville treasurer from 1999 through to 2022, sometimes stepping in as acting CAO during that time. He will now take the helm as director of financial services, and Borne says there will be re-organization regarding his compliance duties.
“We always knew that there was going to be tweaks and adjustments to the org chart that would happen at any time,” says Borne. “We don’t want to be over-resourced, we don’t want to be under-resourced.… Continue
Town finances in good shape as Sackville socks away $1 million in reserves
At Monday’s meeting of Sacvkille town council treasurer Michael Beal told council that the town is ending 2021 in a good financial position, and recommended depositing just over one million dollars into the town’s reserve funds.
The town spent less than budgeted in certain areas due to staffing vacancies, the cancellation of the Fall Fair, and last minute extra funding under the federal Safe Restart program that was unbudgeted in 2021.
Council approved the transfer of $100,000 to its operating reserve, and $900,000 to its capital reserve.
The operating reserve is now sitting at about $300,000 which may be used to cover the backpay for RCMP officers as a result of their first ever contract signed with the federal government this year.
The town’s capital reserve fund will grow to $2.7 million with this year’s deposit. That money will be used for some projects already planned but not executed this year, and also the town’s portion of the Lorne Street Phase 3 project, should funding come through from the provincial and federal governments.
The town’s capital reserve fund will grow to $2.7 million with this year’s deposit. That money will be used for some projects already planned but not executed this year, and also the town’s portion of the Lorne Street Phase 3 project, should funding come through from the provincial and federal governments.
The town’s water and sewer capital reserve fund is also growing by $200,000, thanks to a $100 per user flat fee charge for severe treatment.… Continue
Public invited to weigh in on budget priorities Monday, including an extra $372k in gas tax funding
Monday, September 20 will be more than just election day in Sackville. Town council will gather for a special meeting to hear from local residents and groups about priorities for the 2022 budget.
Unlike council meeting question periods where residents can just show up to make comments, the town is asking that anyone planning to present at the meeting register to do so with the town clerk by end of day Tuesday.
Last year, town council heard from a number of groups who had received funding from the town previously through its community development grants program. Renaissance Sackville, Sackville Minor Hockey, the Sackville Skate Club, Rural Rides, Live Bait Theatre, Sappyfest and Levee on the Lake all presented, mostly reporting on what they had done with their previous grants. Applications for the community development grants program are due on October 15.
Two residents also presented their ideas for new or continued budget priorities at last year’s meeting. Wendy Alder called for beautification of the area around Exit 506, and Alex Thomas made a pitch for further investment in the town’s skate park.
During budget deliberations this year, Sackville town council will be considering how to spend an additional $372,387 in gas tax funding. The money can be spent on a number of different infrastructure projects that must be approved by the province.… Continue