Category: Daily News

CHMA takes a walk on the Trans Canada Trail with retired Sackville doctor Ross Thomas, to talk about his support for an upcoming motion by Councillor Josh Goguen to see the trail come under the town’s management, and to pursue further funding for a pedway to connect it across the Trans Canada highway.

Thomas is part of a group of citizens who have come forward with an anonymous $1 million dollar donation to go towards a pedway, with the goal of finding more funding to complete the project.  Regional trails coordinator for Plan 360, Mark Léger, has told council in the past that there are possible funding avenues for trail improvements and a pedway connection.

Thomas says the trail surface has been damaged by increasing ATV use in recent years, due to lack of replacement of signs and gates meant to keep drivers off the non-motorized trail. He says the trail is a ‘rural sidewalk’ and provides opportunity for exercise and green transportation in Tantramar, especially if it is protected from motorized use, and safely connected across the highway.

Goguen’s motion is expected at Tantramar council’s next meeting on December 12, 2023.

To hear the full interview with Ross Thomas, click below:

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CORRECTION: This article has been edited (Dec 7, 10:40pm) to reflect a correction from Mount Allison University, clarifying that construction on the library renovation project is not imminent, as previously indicated.

Mount Allison says the designs for a renovated Ralph Pickard Bell Library are being finalized, and a timeline for the rollout of the project will be released early in 2024.

The university released the news as part of a profile on Board of Regents member Dave Shastri, who is a donor to the project.

The major renovation was a pet project of former university president, Dr. Jean Paul Boudreau, who stepped down from his post this summer after a five year term. Boudreau helped secure a $36 million commitment from the federal and provincial governments to go towards the project.

Years of planning and a salmon dinner lead to major public funding commitment to future of Ralph Pickard Bell library

The University’s news release says the “Hub for Innovation and Learning” project will “renovate Mount Allison’s R.P. Bell Library building to provide modern library services as well as facilities designed for collaborative study, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning with community groups.”

University spokesperson Renée Belliveau says that the school won’t share further information about the project now, but will issue a news release in the new year. “The University will keep the community informed of progress as soon as we have relevant information to share,” writes Belliveau.… Continue

The municipality of Tantramar and CUPE Local 1188 have extended their collective agreement a year ahead of schedule, with a new agreement extending to the end of 2027, according to a news release from the town of Tantramar. The current agreement was not due to expire until December 2024, but due to amalgamation the town says it conducted a “comprehensive wage review”, and then made a proposal to the union for an extension to 2027.

The new agreement includes a 10.75% wage increase over four years, including a 2.25% increase to take effect next month, as negotiated in the previous contract. Another 8.5% will be spread over the following three years, averaging 2.8% per year. The town says the new contract “aligns with our commitment to fair compensation.”

The wage increases are slightly higher than the last CUPE contract, which saw increases of 2% in 2022 and 2023. The New Brunswick consumer price index rose 9% from June 2021 to June 2022, and 2% from June 2022 to June 2023, according to Statista.

At the time of signing, CUPE Local 1188 represented 32 unionized town employees including civic centre attendants, accounting clerks, heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and other essential municipal staff. The 2023 budget allowed for 34 unionized positions, and that could increase to 36 in 2024, according to town treasurer Michael Beal.

Local 1188 president Cory Johnson is quoted in the town’s news release saying members agreed to the town’s proposal for a “3-year extension of the labour peace.”… Continue

Tantramar’s colourful new brand was unveiled at town hall on Tuesday. Consultants Tanya Duffy of The Details Design and Branding and Tom Bateman of Porter O’Brien talked councillors through the process to arrive at, and concept behind the new logo and brand identity.

“The new Tantramar logo is a simple, clean and modern crest comprised of several parts coming together to form the complete symbol,” explained Duffy. “Each element showcases the natural beauty, history and complexity of the region. The new brand does not seek to replace the identities of the communities that combine to make Tantramar, but rather to leverage the natural surroundings identified by the residents that make Tantramar a wonderful place to live work and visit.”

Duffy said the elements of the crest were inspired by what the consultants heard in surveys and in person sessions with Sackville residents. The elements include a sun (“it was something that came up again and again that the sunsets and sunrises are unlike anywhere else,” said Duffy), clear blue skies, a Mi’kmaq star (a “special request” from Amlamgog First Nation chief Rebecca Knockwood), reed grass, and a striped green section to represent agriculture and the Acadian dyke systems that define much of the region.… Continue