Rural Atlantic Canadian Development Thread

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/index....=283056&sc=145

Inverness warned to complete water upgrades

CHRIS SHANNON
The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — Inverness County is one of four municipalities under the watchful eye of the provincial Department of the Environment following warning notices on planned upgrades to its water infrastructure systems.

The government had set April 1, 2008 as the deadline for all 55 municipalities to meet provincial guidelines for safer drinking water

The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act update last week said only 60 per cent of municipalities are meeting provincial guidelines for drinking water.

The communities of Judique, Inverness County, along with towns of Greenwood, Digby and Pictou have been cited by the department for failure to meet agreed upon timelines.

The department said the Municipality of Inverness County “failed to submit on time a transition plan for the upgrade of the classification of their drinking water treatment facility, which includes upgrading certification of their facility operator, expected by early September 2009.”

Joe O’Connor, the municipality’s chief administrative officer, didn’t return calls placed by the Cape Breton Post seeking comment.

Department of Environment spokesperson Bruce Nunn said the municipalities singled out missed deadlines only by one or two weeks and in some cases have rectified the outstanding concerns.

“The upgrades (in Judique) also include the upgrade of their facility operator . . . and that’s expected to happen in early September,” Nunn said. “They’re very close. In fact, all of these (communities) are close or missed the deadline by a week.

“In Greenwood, they didn’t install a filter but that’s since been installed since the warning went out, so they should be on the other list.”

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is close to completing its goal of having all communities with water systems on fully treated water.

The $14-million North Sydney water treatment plant, expected to be in operation by year-end, is the last facility to be built by the CBRM water utility.

“The province has made allowances for us because they were well aware that we couldn’t meet the timeline,” CBRM utilities manager Mike MacKeigan said.

Louisbourg, New Waterford, Glace Bay and Sydney have fully functioning water treatment plants, with small facilities in Port Morien, Birch Grove and at the former Sydney radar base.

Municipalities have known about the new guidelines since 2002.

They were developed after seven people died in Walkerton, Ont., in 2000 after drinking water contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

[kirjtc2]

I call this the Madawaska Chicken War.

Chicken supplier going ahead with plant
Published Thursday September 3rd, 2009
A5John Pollack
Telegraph-Journal

Just days before New Brunswick's only chicken processing plant, Nadeau Poultry Farms Ltd., plans to lay off 175 workers, its primary supplier, Groupe Westco Inc., announced again earlier this week it plans to build a chicken processing plant about 10 kilometres down the road.

The two Saint-François-de-Madawaska companies, located about 50 km west of Edmundston, have been in a dispute over chicken processing for more than three years and some of the talk is becoming reality.

The roughly 140,000 to almost 200,000 birds - depending on who is asked - Westco has sold to Nadeau every week, will be sent to Berthierville, Que. beginning Friday to be processed by Olymel L.P., Westco's partner in the planned New Brunswick processing plant.

Nadeau general manager Yves Landry is blaming Westco's move for the layoffs, which are planned for Friday and will cut half the 352-person workforce.

"We won't have enough birds to have the second shift going on," he said.

Westco chief executive Thomas Soucy said his company tried to work out a solution with Nadeau, which is owned by Brampton, Ont.-based Maple Lodge Farms Ltd.

"We've tried to negotiation with the Maple Lodge people from Toronto on four different options," Soucy said.

Westco stated in a news release earlier this week that the "proposals included an offer to buy the slaughterhouse, a possible partnership agreement involving joint operation, a draft agreement on slaughtering at fair market value during construction of the new slaughterhouse and payment of a premium along the lines of what Nadeau offers elsewhere. All these offers were rejected."

"This is our last choice to send the chickens to Quebec while we build," Soucy said. "But we can't negotiate with somebody who doesn't want to negotiate."

Landry did not return calls for comment.

Soucy said Westco has purchased the land for its planned slaughterhouse in Clair, east of the Nadeau plant, and is waiting for rezoning approval and an environmental impact assessment. After that, the plant could be built within a year, he said.

Since February 2008, Nadeau has been fighting to prevent Westco from sending the chickens to Quebec.

In March 2008, the provincial industry regulator decided it wouldn't intervene. Then in late June a federal competition tribunal began to assess the situation, temporarily preventing Westco from exporting the chickens.

On June 8, 2009 the tribunal ruled that Westco, which raises slightly more than 50 per cent of the province's chickens, has the right to sell the birds to the buyer of its choice.

In early June 2008, the provincial legislature had passed a law requiring New Brunswick-raised chickens to be to be processed in the province for a one-year period.

But, as the tribunal proceeded with the hearings, Agriculture and Aquaculture Minister Ronald Ouellette delayed proclaiming the law, which he said was meant to "buy time"

Now his department is reconsidering enacting the passed bill.

"Right now it's in the hands of the lawyers," Ouellette said. "I need to have a discussion with my department and with the lawyers."

[C_Boy]

More improvements to Fundy National Park
September 09, 2009 - 5:13 pm
By: Jeannie MacGillivray - News 91.9


ALMA, N.B. - One of Fundy National Park's most popular attractions is now bigger and more accessible.

Improvements and two new exhibits were unveiled today.

The Dicksons Falls site has been enlarged and made wheelchair accessible.

As well, there are two new outdoor exhibits at the Falls and the Shiphaven trail at Point Wolfe.

Park Superintendent Paul Perkison says the new exhibits will help visitors learn more about the park's ecology and history.

"The Dicksons Falls exhibit focuses on the characteristics of the Acadian forest, and the Shiphaven exhibit focuses on the cultural history and changes in the area over the years."

The Park is also starting a geocaching activity, and using local artists to create art on the beach.

The improvements are part of an Eco-Integrity project, which launched in 2007.

[Dmajackson]

Ocean Links shaping up

By TOM PETERS Business Reporter
Thu. Sep 10 - 4:46 AM
The new Ocean Links golf course and residential development at Brule Point is starting to green up.

Five holes are now complete and growing grass, says project spokesman Derek Forsythe, and construction of four more holes is expected to start this month. Nine new holes may be ready by late 2010, but more likely by 2011.

The Ocean Links project, east of Tatamagouche off the Sunrise Trail, will include the 18-hole golf course and nearly 150 residential lots.

The course has been designed by Nova Scotian golf architect Robert LeBlanc, and Scotian Homes has been designated the exclusive builder.

Mr. Forsythe said Wednesday the project has been approved to raise capital through its second community economic development investment fund.

The funds are set up under a provincial government program that permits people to raise capital for new or existing businesses interested in expanding. Investors qualify for a number of tax advantages.

The project raised $650,000 in its first fund offering and is eligible to raise up to $3 million through the second.

Mr. Forsythe said there has been no financial target set for the second fund, but it is hoped that it raises as much as the first.

Deposits have been taken on some lots, but the plan is to sell the lot and residence together as "a turnkey unit with the services. It’s your home," Mr. Forsythe said.

Prices are expected to start at over $250,000.

[Dmajackson]

$33-million 103 bypass to go ahead
NDP will honour Tory commitment
By DAVID JACKSON Provincial Reporter
Sat. Sep 12 - 4:46 AM

The Dexter government will keep a Conservative promise to build a new section of Highway 103 to bypass Port Mouton.

It’s possibly the first major infrastructure commitment by the Tories that the new NDP government has confirmed.

Transportation Minister Bill Estabrooks said the $33-million project is a go in a letter to Bruce Hetherington, a former Dartmouth municipal councillor whose son died in a head-on collision on the 103 in June 2008.

"We intend to honour the commitment made by the previous government to construct a bypass around Port Mouton and Port Joli," Mr. Estabrooks wrote in a letter dated Thursday.

"This will help provide a safer and faster connection to the western end of the province."

Mr. Estabrooks also said pre-construction work continues for twinning a 20-kilometre stretch between Exit 5 at Tantallon and Exit 6 at Hubbards.

The minister said in an interview Friday that the Port Mouton bypass project is locked in from the province’s point of view and just needs federal money.

Former premier Rodney MacDonald and South Shore-St. Margarets MP Gerald Keddy announced the jointly funded eight-kilometre stretch in April. Mr. MacDonald said at the time that the project was part of the Building for Growth economic stimulus plan.

The existing highway in the area isn’t up to national standards. It’s a winding stretch that runs in front of people’s homes and has some sharp turns, and the speed limit is as low as 50 kilometres per hour in places.

Mr. Hetherington had emailed Premier Darrell Dexter on Aug. 18 looking for information on Highway 103 twinning. Mr. Estabrooks responded on the premier’s behalf on Thursday.

Mr. Hetherington said the response is a good start.

"We’re just happy that things are getting started, but we want some time frames," he said.

Mr. Estabrooks said he isn’t sure when the twinning work between exits 5 and 6 will begin because it depends on things like the design and community consultation.

As for the Port Mouton bypass, it will take about two years to complete the environmental assessment, surveys and design work and another two years to build it.

Mr. Hetherington said he thinks the twinning work down to Bridgewater could be done more quickly. He thinks the province could get tenders out next year and have the work done by 2012 or 2013.

Mr. Hetherington said public safety has to come first for governments. "Everything else comes second," he said.

Since 2004, 45 people have been killed on Highway 103 and hundreds more injured.

Information on infrastructure projects like the bypass has been scarce under the new NDP government. Mr. Dexter has said the previous government’s commitments have been under review to see which ones are firm, but he hasn’t said what criteria he’s using.

"Some of those other infrastructure projects maybe aren’t quite as advanced as they should be for one reason or another," Mr. Estabrooks said. "But from my perspective as transportation minister, this is something that I’m looking forward to getting on the go."

He also said NDP candidates along the South Shore campaigned for improvements to Highway 103. The New Democrats swept the region in the June election.

Interim Tory Leader Karen Casey said she will hold the government accountable for all the infrastructure projects her government had announced before it was defeated.

"The twinning of Highway 103 is a great example of why this government must honour all infrastructure commitments, including correctional facilities in Springhill, school projects and long-term care facilities," Ms. Casey said in a statement.

Justice Minister Ross Landry is taking another look at a promise the Tories made in April to build a new jail in Springhill to replace the one in Amherst.

( djackson@herald.ca )

[Dmajackson]

$2.1-Million Wentworth Road Roundabout Project Begins
Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
September 16, 2009 10:53 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preliminary work has started on the new Wentworth Road roundabout in Windsor to improve traffic flow from Highway 101 and encourage future development.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal has awarded the $2,122,304 contract to Dexter Construction Co. Ltd., to build a modern roundabout at the intersection of Wentworth Road and Morrison Drive. New sidewalks will also be constructed. The cost of the project is being shared by the province and the Town of Windsor.

"Our engineers have worked closely with the town to come up with the safest and most efficient design for this important intersection," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "Safety of our drivers is a top concern and roundabouts have proven to be a safer alternative to traditional intersections."

"Since Wentworth Road is one of our main commercial districts, improving access will be a positive step for Windsor," said Windsor Mayor Paul Beazley. "The new sidewalks will greatly improve pedestrian safety, too."

The project is to be finished by the end of November

[MonctonRad]

I'm posting this in the "rural Atlantic Canadian" thread only because the gods at StatsCan have deigned not to included Shediac in the Moncton CMA. We will ignore the fact that Shediac is only 15-18 minutes from downtown Moncton. As a lesser mortal, I will not argue the point.

Shediac's economy still gaining steam
Published Thursday September 17th, 2009

New retail, residential, and government investments diversify economy
By Jesse Robichaud
Times & Transcript Staff

SHEDIAC - The annually red-hot tourism season that Shediac has traditionally relied upon to rev up its economy is slowing down now that the crisp days of fall are around the corner.


GREG AGNEW/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT
The new Sobey and Canadian Tire stores at the entrance to Shediac are moving along in construction.

But the coastal community's economy appears to be only gaining steam as a number of high-profile projects are beginning or nearing completion.

Indeed, Shediac is not only defying the ebb and flow of its own economic cycles, but it is also managing to move ahead with several major projects despite a slowed economy across the country and around the world.

For example, Shediac Mayor Raymond is pleased that the construction of the new Sobey's and Canadian Tire stores is progressing at an impressive pace.

While the construction job is putting local people to work, Cormier is also looking forward to the permanent local jobs that will be created when the stores open their doors sooner rather than later.

"It is going very well," he said. "Their intention is to open before Christmas and, if you look at the progress, they are well advanced."

And while the location of a $40-million provincial jail within town limits came under attack from some residents last spring, Cormier defended the project as not only a major boost to the town's tax base, but also as an essential project in the town's plans to diversify its economy beyond tourism.

Cormier said town staff is currently planning how it will provide essential services to the provincial jail site where construction is expected to begin soon.

While the $40-million facility will increase the number of jobs in the town, Cormier is also enthused by the secondary effects of bringing essential services such as water and sewer across the four-lane highway. Chip seal is also being added on the Linot Road between the Ohio Road and the new jail.

The investment in these services provides an opportunity to open up new land to commercial, industrial, and residential development, said Cormier.

"That is the key...bringing it across the four-lane highway will allow us to attract more developers, be it residential, industrial, or commercial," said Cormier. "It is a secondary effect we are very happy to have."

Cormier said companies like Sobey's and Canadian Tire have taken notice, and he is happy to welcome them.

He states proudly that the last census shows that Shediac trailed only Dieppe in the region in terms of its per capita population growth at 12.3 per cent.

Cormier said the population spike is helping to open up new opportunities, and the town is thinking big. He would like to lure a major hotel to the municipality, and planning is currently under way on a multi-purpose community centre.

Future projects, and others that are currently materializing in the area, such as the expansion of the Scoudouc Industrial Park and the addition of an interchange onto Highway 15, are helping to build a critical mass of population that the private sector is noticing.

The activity has helped to compensate for a rough lobster season and the closure of the Owens-Illinois bottling plant in the Scoudouc Industrial Park.

Denis Arsenault, the developer of Le Rivage condominium development at Cap-Bimet, has witnessed the resilience of the area's economy firsthand.

As the finishing touches are placed on the condominium over the next eight days, it serves as an example of how the Shediac area is cruising against the current of the recession's lingering effects.

Arsenault said the 36 units he has been able to sell so far in an icy real estate market is a testament to the strength of the location and Shediac's proximity to Moncton.

With 14 potential buyers unable to secure financing from the banks, Arsenault said the economic situation remains a concern. However, he said the project's location in such a hot spot that it has helped keep it on track despite very conservative lending practices at financial institutions.

"Simply put, it is the location. Even in these difficult economic times people are still looking to have that escape, to have that place beside the water, and Le Rivage offers that at a very affordable price," said Arsenault.

"We were fortunate with the site, the beauty of it being on a point where you have a panoramic view of the beach."

Arsenault said the Shediac region will continue to grow as Moncton expands and as traffic considerations make the short drive on the four-lane highway even less of a deterrent.

"What we are starting to see is that people are not seeing Shediac as far from Moncton," said Arsenault, adding that the perception of Shediac as a place to live or do business has changed.

"Because of the fact that the drive time around Moncton is becoming more cumbersome, people are starting to see Shediac as not as far," he said.

"Ten years ago, there was a perception that if you lived in Shediac, you lived in the country. That perception doesn't exist anymore. And not only is it not a perception, but it is not a reality anymore."

He said the addition of major retail projects is also a vote of confidence.

"When you see Canadian Tire and Sobeys moving into town, these are every intelligent organizations who are seeing that this community is going to continue to grow because Moncton is going to continue to grow," said Arsenault.

"Shediac is going to come into its own; it is showing that right now."

Enterprise Southeast executive director Serge Doucet said the area is well-positioned as the global economy regains strength.

"As a region, I think the economy has come out of the slowdown relatively well, and I think that we are geographically well-positioned as a region to see those benefits," said Doucet, noting government and private-sector investments.

"It is great to see the development in Shediac. There is no doubt that, with the increase in population, we are seeing developments saying we want to bring more services."

Doucet said the momentum is building, and it is contagious.

"There is no doubt that the mood and the feel in the surrounding are is good. People are in a good mood, and we have had a good tourism season."

"You are starting to see more ripple effects outside of the urban area (Moncton). Economic development doesn't happen in two years, and communities have to get to a certain critical mass."

[kirjtc2]

End of line for station, coal mine
Published Wednesday September 30th, 2009
A1By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
lewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

The aging coal-fired Grand Lake generating station and NB Coal Ltd.'s nearby mining operation are closing down, resulting in the loss of 95 jobs in the region.

Coal mining will stop by Christmas and the 57-megawatt power plant will close when its licence expires in June, said NB Power president and CEO David Hay on Tuesday.

"These have been strong, reliable assets that have come to the end of their life," said Hay. "NB Power has been a part of the community for more than 75 years and this decision was very carefully considered.

"Due to the nature of coal mined in Minto, pending environmental regulations make it uneconomical to continue operations of NB Coal Ltd. and the Grand Lake generating station beyond its current operating licence," said Hay.

Darrell Bishop, executive vice-president of NB Power Generation Co., said Tuesday that tough new environmental regulations on sulphur dioxide (SO2) and mercury are coming into effect soon and would require expensive changes.

"They are so restrictive," said Bishop about the new regulations. "It is just not economic to put those on a small, old plant.

"It has just come to the point where absolutely it (the closure) is the right decision, disappointing as it is."

The Grand Lake power plant opened in 1963 and is the only customer of NB Coal.

Bishop said there are 38 people employed at the Grand Lake generating station who will be offered other positions in NB Power.

There are 57 employed at NB Coal's mining operation and they will be offered severance packages, he said.

There will be land reclamation work in the area, which will create jobs for two to three years, he said.

Bishop said there were no possibilities for exporting coal from the region because of its high sulphur and mercury content.

"It is very unique to Grand Lake how much sulphur is in that coal and how much mercury is in that coal, and it is just not a marketable commodity in any other area that is burning coal," he said.

Bishop said most of the coal on the north-west point of the Salmon River is mined out.

Another area nearby has more coal but it's of an even lower quality, he said.

NB Coal plans to sell its enormous drag line that digs the coal out of the ground.

The revenue from the sale will help mitigate some reclamation costs, said Bishop. But there are no firm offers on that piece of equipment yet.

Bishop said he spoke to the mayors of Minto and Chipman about the closure Monday.

David Coon, policy director for the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said governments have been promising to close the Grand Lake power plant since the days of the late premier Louis J. Robichaud.

"It is a huge environmental blight on New Brunswick's record and as NB Power was unprepared to put the necessary money in to clean it up, they really have no other choice," he said. "It is an ancient power plant that basically NB Power has run into the ground.''

Coon said he hopes the government provides workers with a generous transition package.

Eugene McGinley, Liberal MP for Grand Lake-Gagetown, said the communities knew this was inevitable.

"It is not a happy occasion but it is something we knew one day would have to come," said McGinley. "There is a challenge and an opportunity.

"We have already been working towards whatever alternative might be there."

McGinley said he was concerned about the welfare of the employees and it's his understanding their interests are being looked after.

He also said the regional economy will need assistance.

"I do know that a committee has been struck in the area to look at whatever the viable alternatives are," said McGinley. "I am optimistic we will survive this. Those two communities will survive."

[Dmajackson]

Colchester transportation agency wants $93.9 million for upgrades
By BRUCE ERSKINE Business Reporter
Wed. Sep 30 - 4:46 AM

The Colchester Transportation Gateway Committee is asking the Nova Scotia Gateway Office for $93.9 million for local transportation upgrades it says will contribute to an enhanced Atlantic Gateway.

The upgrades being reviewed under the $2.1-billion Gateway and Border Crossings Fund include a Highway 104 interchange at Bible Hill’s Agritech Park ($9 million), an interchange south of exit 13A and new roadways to improve access to the Millbrook Power Centre and the Truro Industrial Park ($24.5 million), diversions to cut the number of rail crossings in Truro ($30 million), an extension from McLures Mills Road to Charles Street to divert traffic from the north end of Willow Street ($16 million), an extension connecting Marshland Drive to Highway 102 ($13 million) and improved access to undeveloped industrial land at Debert Air Industrial Park ($1.4 million).

"We’re looking at making our assets more accessible," Jo Ann Fewer, executive director of the Colchester Regional Development Agency, said in an interview Tuesday.

Ms. Fewer said the region has several good business parks that are close to two major highways, but there is a need to improve both highway access to the parks and other routes to them.

Ms. Fewer said the projects would ease the movement of goods and services through the region and also increase safety for residents.

"All international and local goods produced must flow through here," she said. "We need to be positioned to reap maximum economic gain. Effective transportation flow is key to our success."

Jim Lorraine, president of the Truro and District Chamber of Commerce, called the proposals "a win-win" for Colchester businesses and residents.

"All cargo freight from Sydney, Melford and Halifax must travel through Colchester County," he said. "These projects would alleviate traffic congestion and position us as an ideal inland terminal as future growth takes place at our province’s ports."

Ms. Fewer couldn’t say when a decision on the Colchester proposals might be made. But she said the region is one of only a few Nova Scotia communities that have attached firm costs to proposals submitted to the gateway office.

"They hope to announce some programs this fall," she said.

Patricia Jreige, spokeswoman with the Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Department, said six Atlantic Gateway projects in Nova Scotia worth $172 million, including Port of Halifax upgrades and highway projects, were approved in April and other decisions would be made "in the coming months."

( berskine@herald.ca )

[J.M.]

So I've not been able to be online recently due to my self moving, but for my short time here i'll post what's been happening here in Amherst.

Remember my previous post? About the Terrace? Well sadly their goal to reach 75% by Spring of 09 clearly failed. Hopes aren't completely down, currently at only 45% but to what I know, they're trying to get construction happening sooner

We have a new Lawtons built, right beside the old customs building (town clock). Very Awesome interior, LARGE!

Well nothing else my young, educated mind has found, i'll try to get some fantastic pics of the progress happening.

[MonctonRad]

St. Thomas University to set up Miramichi campus: MP
Published Saturday October 3rd, 2009

University, government officials mum on return to STU's roots
BY KRIS MCDAVID
Times & Transcript Staff

MIRAMICHI - With St. Thomas University about to celebrate its centennial anniversary next year, is the liberal arts institution about to go back to where it all started?

Miramichi MP Tilly O’Neill-Gordon said a deal for the Catholic university to acquire the St. Michael’s convent is nearly finalized.

STU was established at the crest of University Avenue in the former town of Chatham in 1910 before relocating in 1964 to its current location atop College Hill in Fredericton, adjacent to the University of New Brunswick.

Miramichi has been left without much of a university presence ever since, but Miramichi Tory MP Tilly O'Neill-Gordon said that it's looking increasingly likely that STU will return to its Miramichi roots.

O'Neill-Gordon said after collaborating with Speaker of the Senate and longtime STU professor and board of governors' member Noël Kinsella on the issue, discussions were held with members of the Diocese of Saint John about the university acquiring a former convent adjacent to St. Michael's Basilica in Miramichi.

Although nothing has yet been finalized, O'Neill-Gordon said she believes STU will have a satellite campus based in Miramichi offering four-year degree programs as early as the 2010.

"It's almost confirmed; not all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted but, this weekend, we're almost sure we'll have the building," she said.

"This would be a big thing, to have St. Thomas University back on the river; and it's almost committed, it's almost ready to go. I get a little teary-eyed just thinking about it because there's a lot of history here."

O'Neill-Gordon said her mother used to work at STU when it was based in Chatham and she had an aunt who lived at the former convent for many years.

She said the idea of bringing back a significant portion of Miramichi's history while being able to provide students with quality post-secondary programs and housing the satellite campus in an historic property across the street from the old STU campus was a no-brainer.

The MP said she'd personally like to see four-year programs in criminology, gerontology and potentially nursing offered at the new campus, even though STU currently doesn't offer degrees in nursing.

"I think it would be a huge celebration; it brings back a lot of memories and it won't be the same as the old (campus) but we still have a lot of room to grow," she said.

"There's other buildings that if we wanted to expand, further down the road, I think we could."

O'Neill-Gordon's comments came as news to Minister of Post Secondary Education, Training, and Labour Minister Donald Arsenault.

He said that it was his understanding that STU's board of governors was meeting on the weekend to potentially discuss, among other things, if it wanted to increase its presence in a place like Miramichi, but added he wasn't aware that any deal was close to being finalized.

Arsenault said his department has been consulting with organizations on ways to further university options in Miramichi for some time, but he said the final decision to establish a satellite campus was ultimately up to the university.

He said he hasn't received so much as a phone call from Ottawa on the subject.

"Post-secondary education is something that I take very seriously, and the last thing I want to see is Tilly playing these issues for the election; there's a federal Liberal nomination in Miramichi this weekend, so is this just an issue she wants to throw out there for political support? I'm not sure," he said.

"But if those files were something she wants to talk about, I'd be more than happy. If you're working on a major post-secondary file, you'd think you'd want to talk to the minister and I don't think I've ever talked to Tilly."

STU vice president of finance Lawrence Durling said the university has been looking at initiatives that are in line with the province's post-secondary education action plan.

Durling also said that with the university's centennial celebrations around the corner, STU planned to involve Miramichi to some degree but stopped short of saying the establishment of a satellite campus was imminent, or even on the table at this point.

The university offers first-year courses in Miramichi through collaboration with NBCC and UNB.

"I think it's too early to comment on any details, because we are simply pursuing options relative to the action plan," said Durling.

Former Miramichi city councillor John 'Jake' McLaughlin has been advocating for the return of a university presence in the city for quite some time.

"This is a real ray of hope in the Miramichi," he said. "My parents put an extra envelope a month in the collection plate between 1958-62 for upgrades to St. Thomas University.

"I always looked at the loss of St. Thomas University in the Miramichi as my stolen inheritance and I look at this as the beginning of me recouping that inheritance."

The St. Michael's Basilica convent is owned by the Diocese of Saint John, of which St. Thomas University is a member.

Attempts to contact the diocese and Kinsella yesterday for comment were unsuccessful.


Personal note - I have always thought it a tragedy that STU was transferred to Fredericton from Miramichi in the first place. The economic and cultural impact of such an institution on the Miramichi would have greatly outweighed any supposed cost savings of co-locating the campus with UNB in Fredericton. It appears that the situation may at least be partly addressed.

It is interesting that the source for this story is a federal Tory MP. One has to wonder why she has brought this forward at this time........perhaps the process has stalled and she is trying to kickstart it by giving the issue some public momentum. Maybe this is an attempt to embarass Shawn Graham into some action on the issue.

[Smevo]

Oct 13, 2009 Cape Breton Post

Plans underway for new park in Port Hawkesbury

The Cape Breton Post

PORT HAWKESBURY — Planning is underway to turn the land where the town’s wastewater treatment plant once stood into a new park.

The Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency (SHRDA), along with its partner the Town of Port Hawkesbury beautification committee, recently hosted a public workshop to gather input and ideas for the proposed development of a new park at the site at the north end of Granville Street.
The workshop followed a full day of consultations that included participation from local Grade 5 and Grade 9 classes, as well as interviews with other partners. In all, more than 60 individuals were consulted throughout the day.

The public workshop was attended by 18 people who provided suggestions, ideas and concerns about potential development at the site. Development ideas included creating a space with elements such as sculptures, sensory gardens, and a natural play area, with attention paid to accessibility, inclusiveness, and the view.

“This location is an ideal place to create a high-quality visual experience for both residents and tourists,” said Diane Snook, of the beautification committee. “We are excited about the opportunity to involve our partners and the public in the creation of a place that showcases the natural assets and potential of the site.”

Following a competitive bidding process earlier this year, Ekistics Planning and Design was awarded the contract to create the landscape architectural design based on the public feedback gathered.

The public consultation will wrap up within the next 10-14 days via an online survey. Anyone who wants to share comments regarding the proposed park development with the design team is asked to visit the online survey at www.strait-highlands.ns.ca (click on the headline link Proposed Port Hawkesbury park workshop a success).

This project is currently in a planning phase, with the end result to be a detailed landscape architectural plan scheduled for release near the end of November. During this phase, a steering committee has been formed with members from the Town of Port Hawkesbury, its beautification committee, and the Strait Area Waterfront Development Society.

[Architype]

There is not usually much here from Newfoundland, but here's a positive development article from Marystown -

From Wikipedia -

with a population of 5,436 as of 2006. Situated 306 km from the province's capital, St. John's, it is on the Burin Peninsula. Up until the early 1990s its economy was largely based on shipbuilding, and it is due in part to this that the town experienced a population increase of 295% in just over a decade. The town was also dependent on the fish plant for employment.

From Statistics Canada:

Population in 2006 5,436
Population in 2001 5,908
2001 to 2006 population change (%) -8.0

Additional historical figures:

Population in 1996 - 6,742
Population in 1991 - 6,739

Developments aplenty
New Eastern Health building among projects in the works in Marystown

MARYSTOWN
PAUL HERRIDGE
Transcontinental Media
Mayor Sam Synard acknowledges there's "a lot of people moving earth around" in Marystown these days.

A sizable number of projects are presently in some phase of development in the Burin Peninsula's largest community.

From water and sewer upgrades, to roadwork, water treatment, business and industrial park growth and recreation plans - the mayor admitted it can be dizzying to try to keep track of all that's happening in the town.

One of the more significant developments yet to receive much attention is the construction of a new 30,000-square-foot building by the Marco Group of Cos to replace Eastern Health's offices in Burin.

The building will be located in the Harris Drive Business Park where the original dozen lots have all been sold.

Marco owner Chris Hickman indicated another related company would own the building, which will cost approximately $6 million. He confirmed Eastern Health has agreed to lease the building for the next two decades.

"It was a tender we bid on sometime this summer for a 20-year lease. It was a public tender. We were the low tender - I think the only tender actually.

"It's a design/build so we've been going through the design process all summer and we finally now got all the permits in place and the design completed and approved by the Department of Health. So, we're off to the races."

Hickman said the Brenton Group is the local civil contractor and is responsible for all outside work.

He said if all goes according to plan the building would be ready for occupation July 1, 2010.

"There's been a fair amount of blasting, bog removal and rock removal. They've been working there now three weeks straight, seven days a week."

'Crown jewel'

Synard, who sees the building as the "crown jewel" of the business park, suggested the structure would likely represent the largest office complex along the province's south coast, thus necessitating a need to revisit traffic congestion in the area, which he indicated has become an issue in the town in general.

He said residents could likely expect to see additional traffic lights in the community in the future.

"We've having a good discussion now with the Department of Transportation. Even without this new building ... and without the new marine industrial park being developed, we needed lights at the tourist chalet to begin with."

As for the marine industrial park at Power's Cove, Synard said the first two phases of the $3.1-million project - split federally, provincially and municipally - are now in the final stages of completion.

"By the end of November, when the pavers get finished, you'll be able to drive right to the water's edge on a beautifully paved road and it'll have 15, possibly 16, lots in total, all serviced going down."

Synard, who noted the town has already received some interest from developers, explained the lots would not be sold haphazardly.

"We're interested in sort of selling ideas. So, we're not just going to sell lots to people. You need to have a really good plan showing us how much employment you're going to create (and) what are you going to add to the tax base of the town.

"They're really for heavy industry. We're not really going to sell big lots for a purpose you don't need a big lot for. So, we're going to play judge and jury to some degree in what goes in there."

Water treatment

Synard said the town's other major project, the $12.5-million water-treatment plant, financed under the Building Canada Fund, is still awaiting some final decisions. He explained those mainly relate to the technologies the system will use.

"We are hoping now to go to tender in really short order and we're hoping to get some capital construction started in the spring.

"It's going to be a fairly modern water-treatment plant and we're going to close out the reservoir - right now we have a dam-type reservoir - to go with a large holding tank. It'll be pretty imposing as you drive into town."

Additionally, the town also has secured $3.5 million under the federal government's new infrastructure program for roadwork, primarily paving. He said engineering design work would be completed this fall, with the hope being to start before the end of the season, but, if not, then to begin early next spring.

"We're looking at a number of streets," Synard said.

"The demand always outstrips the supply of money, but we're looking at probably 12 streets, different ones around town that are problematic."

Capital works and gas tax

The town is knee-deep in this year's projects under its multi-year capital works plan, with other water and sewer infrastructure developments, implementing the town's gas tax funding, ready to begin shortly.

From the former, the contract for the $1.1-million sewer project on Atlantic Street was recently awarded to Trepassey's Southern Construction and work has begun.

Mallay's Industrial Services of Marystown is nearing completion on a $566,000 job to replace waterlines on Marine Drive and will begin another $330,000 project to add sewer access to Cheeke's Road, an older area of town that doesn't have proper sewer collection systems, later this month.

A fourth project, awarded to St. John's-based Nortech Construction at a cost of $50,000, will see road upgrades and paving on Dober's Lane.

A portion of the town's gas tax funding - $350,000 - was put to use earlier this year to extend waterlines on McGettigan Boulevard near Wal-Mart. Other projects lined up to go include $250,000 to replace waterlines under the Harris Drive overpass, a $60,000 sewer replacement job on Hillview Heights in Little Bay and $50,000 to complete an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan for the town.

Recreation complex

Meanwhile, Synard said the town just received approval from the province to go ahead with a second, more detailed study on a new recreation complex for Marystown at a cost of $125,000.

He noted several options are being explored on what facilities the centre might include.

The debate centres on whether to build a year-round swimming pool and upgrade the existing arena, or attempt to construct new buildings for both.

The mayor explained the study should be completed before the end of the year.

"We're hoping in the provincial budget of April coming, the 2010-11 provincial budget, we'll get an announcement that Marystown will receive $15 million to build a new recreation complex. That's moving forward, as well."

On another note, the town is preparing to submit potential projects for approval to the province for the 2010-11 Municipal Capital Works program at month's end.

The various projects and developments all add up to quite a few dollars. The mayor acknowledged these are heady days in Marystown, indeed.

"I haven't seen it this prosperous in a long time. It's great to see. We're going in the right direction."

Source: http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=297556&sc=82

[MonctonRad]

$70M plant announced for Miramichi
Published Saturday October 31st, 2009

Metepenagiag First Nation partnering with Canadian, French companies to construct plasma gasification plant on former UPM property
BY KRIS MCDAVID
Times & Transcript Staff

MIRAMICHI - Once again, it's out with the old and in with the new on the Miramichi.


After the loss of the UPM-Kymmene pulp and paper mills, the Weyerhaeuser oriented strandboard mill and, subsequently, a major portion of the Miramichi workforce, the tone of discussion quickly turned to a cutting-edge, diversified and ultimately strengthened Miramichi economy.

A concept that was once dismissed as an example of political spin is now quickly gaining steam, especially after the announcement of a $70-million deal for the shuttered Nelson groundwood pulp mill yesterday.

In an agreement that will see Metepenagiag (Red Bank) First Nation partner with Canadian renewable energy developer Sunbay Energy and technology investment firm Newlook Industries to form the Northumberland Energy Corporation (NEC), construction of a state-of-the-art plasma gasification plant at the Nelson site will commence once all approvals are in place.

Metepenagiag First Nation Chief Noah Augustine said the project will likely create about 200 jobs during the construction phase and around 40 full-time positions once the plant is operational.

"There is still some work to do but the Miramichi has what it takes to get it done," said Augustine.

"Our goal (Metepenagiag) is to become one of the main economic drivers in this region, and we have developed a business attraction strategy with specific tools in our toolkit to attract businesses that would not otherwise come to the Miramichi."

Once it's completed the plasma gasification plant will aim to churn out 10 megawatts of clean, emission-free energy through the use of technology which uses extreme heat to gasify 200 tonnes of residential and commercial waste a day.

The synthetic gas is then transferred to gas-fired engines where the energy is generated.

City of Miramichi director of economic development Jeff MacTavish has been pursuing opportunities in plasma gasification for two years.

He said aside from providing employment opportunities, the gasification plant will benefit the city in multiple ways.

MacTavish said not only will the plant help pump up the city's municipal tax base, it will also reduce the city's expenses of having to transport its waste 60-kilometres away to Allardville.

He said an e-mail from a citizen eventually led him to Sunbay Energy, which resulted in company officials visiting Miramichi in March and ultimately yesterday's announced deal.

MacTavish said details still need to be worked out with NB Power over the sale of electricity; however Augustine said he's been given assurances from the provincial government that the sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec won't adversely affect the project.

With the city also pursuing opportunities in wind power and Norwegian firm Umoe Solar about to construct a $600-million solar cell plant on the former UPM paper mill property, Miramichi has its sights set on becoming a provincial leader in alternative energy production, MacTavish said.

"That's the focus, and certainly if we nail down each of solar, wind and biomass energy we can certainly call ourselves the alternative energy hub of New Brunswick," said MacTavish.

"These 40 jobs are a far cry from what we lost from the mill, but the more projects we can establish here the more sustainable we will be."

Augustine said the deal was also brokered by Gary Wood of the First Nations Business Liaison Group, who pitched the Sunbay Energy project to Metepenagiag leaders.

He said the First Nation community negotiated the purchase of the land with former groundwood mill owner Umoe Solar, and added the intention is to convert the Nelson land to Indian Reserve Land.

Augustine said Metepenagiag is one of the only First Nation jurisdictions in the province that has the capacity to control property tax and land leasing. It is also entitled to recoup 95 per cent of all provincial sales tax revenues from any sales made on aboriginal land.

All of the above, Augustine said, are very attractive incentives for companies looking to set up shop in a new location, making Metepenagiag an equally appealing business partner.

"Therefore, I'm attracting business to Miramichi that otherwise wouldn't come here, but that also doesn't mean the city is going to be excluded from these revenues," said Augustine.

"That's why I'm meeting with city council here soon, to alleviate any concerns they might have because this is a win, win, win situation for everyone -- the City of Miramichi will not be left out of this deal."

The NEC joint venture will in turn partner with French company Europlasma, SA, who will build and operate the facility.

Sunbay Energy is the exclusive developer for Europlasma in Canada, and company president Jordan Oxley said the project represents a global rollout of Europlasma facilities and will be the first facility of its kind in Atlantic Canada.

"A strong partnership with Newlook and Metepenagiag is an ideal complement, bringing global technology and finance to a great local project," Oxley said in a press release.

Miramichi Mayor Gerry Cormier and Public Safety Minister and Miramichi Centre MLA John Foran also expressed excitement over the announcement.

Once all approvals have been finalized, NEC estimates it will take roughly two years to plan and construct the facility.

The partnership is focused on hiring local workers during the construction and operational phase, with training and employment information being released as the initiative progresses.

[Smevo]

Oct 28, 2009 Cape Breton Post

Mayors, wardens support Melford terminal proposal

The Cape Breton Post

PORT HAWKESBURY — Strait area mayors and wardens are throwing their support behind the proposed Melford terminal and are asking provincial and federal governments to do the same.

During a meeting in Port Hawkesbury, Monday, a motion to endorse the deep water container project was unanimously passed.

As part of the proposal, Melford International Terminal Inc. hopes to build a Canadian Northeast Gateway to offer a faster and better alternative for North American container cargo.

“Not every day does a project of this magnitude come along that can really make a difference to a rural area like ours. Our municipalities have done everything we can to facilitate this project and now we’re looking for both the provincial and federal governments to do what they can do to help move this project forward to a point where shovels can get in the ground,” said Duart MacAulay, warden of Inverness County.

Following the meeting, letters were forwarded to Premier Darrell Dexter and federal Minister of Atlantic Gateway Peter MacKay to seek not only their full support of the project, but also their assistance to get the project moving.

“From our perspective, this is not about taking opportunities away from other areas of the province or other areas of the country,” said Lloyd Hines, warden for Guysborough. “This is about seizing an opportunity and building on what we already have. We believe that there are huge opportunities to significantly increase the amount of North American container traffic that flows through Atlantic Canada.”

Strait officials from Cape Breton include Port Hawkesbury Mayor Billy Joe MacLean, John Boudreau, warden of Richmond County, and Duart MacAulay, warden of Inverness.

[MonctonRad]

New Shediac exit to be added to Route 11 project
Published Wednesday November 4th, 2009

Exit will provide direct access to town from north, cut down on traffic jams
By Jesse Robichaud
Times & Transcript Staff

SHEDIAC - Mayor Raymond Cormier had about five million reasons to smile yesterday.

Cormier was still grinning from the news that the province will pump up to an extra $5 million into the Route 11 twinning project in order to add a new highway exit that will make it easier for southbound traffic to access Shediac.

Business New Brunswick Minister and Shediac-Cap-Pelé MLA Victor Boudreau delivered the news to council Monday night.

"If you are coming from Bouctouche you will be able to enter Shediac directly," said Cormier.

He said a bridge will be added to a busy intersection that will soon be home to Sobey's and Canadian Tire.

He said the new plan will not only allow drivers to directly access the town centre, but also cut down on traffic jams.

"With the town increasing in population from 12 to 15 per cent, traffic is much more heavy than 10 or 15 years ago," said Cormier. "You can wait in line 10 to 15 minutes before getting into town. I did it several times, and the light could change five times before you get to the corner beside Wilson's, and you're still not in Shediac yet."

When the Department of Transportation's original preliminary plan for the twinning project was presented, some highway exits had to be moved at Shediac and Bouctouche in order to accommodate the greater speeds that will be permitted.

Cormier and his council were concerned that the flow of traffic from the north would bypass Shediac on its way to Moncton and hurt businesses in the town.

According to that original preliminary plan, southbound traffic would have been diverted onto a new stretch of highway that will splinter from the current trajectory of Route 11 before it intersects with Route 133, and merge with Route 15.

That would have forced southbound drivers who wish to enter Shediac to exit before Route 11 intersects with Route 134 and then travel along Route 132 into Shediac.

The changes mean that is no longer a concern.

"The original plans weren't acceptable for us," said Cormier. "It would have been bad, it wouldn't have made any sense."

Cormier said there are many examples of towns and villages that have suffered when highways have been rerouted away from their cores. The mayor said the new interchange will allow southbound drivers to choose between entering Shediac directly or continuing toward Moncton.

He had previously expressed support for a part of the preliminary plan that will allow northbound drivers to leave Shediac and access Route 11 more directly.

The Town of Bouctouche has also been lobbying the provincial government to review the plans that would move the town's highway exit further north and away from Irving Boulevard and the town core.

So far, the province has not changed its plans but town officials and a local committee vow to continue their efforts. The first phase of the twinning project between Shediac and Bouctouche covers 35 km, 10 interchanges and four rivers, and is estimated to cost $270 million.

The second phase, between Bouctouche and the Richibucto River, which covers 21 km, 3 interchanges and no rivers, is estimated to cost $100 million. Construction is scheduled to begin on both phases in the 2012-13 fiscal year, pending environmental impact assessments and funding from the federal and provincial governments.

[Dmajackson]

Feds, province fund fixes to C.B. highway, bridges
By The Canadian Press
Fri. Nov 6 - 10:55 AM

A highway twinning in Cape Breton and two bridge improvement projects are in line for $49.5 million in federal-provincial infrastructure funding.

Federal Transport Minister John Baird and deputy premier Frank Corbett made the announcement today.

Corbett says the Nova Scotia government will provide up to $15.3 million to twin Highway 125 between Sydney River and Grand Lake Road in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

The province will also provide up to $2.25 million for the Hume River bridge project on Cape Breton's Highway 105 and up to $7.2 million for the East River bridge on trunk 7 in Sheet Harbour.

The provincial funds will be matched by Ottawa through its Building Canada Fund.

The funding is conditional on the projects meeting federal funding requirements and on the province signing contributions agreements with Ottawa.

[mylesmalley]

Bouctouche civic centre plans unveiled tomorrow
Published Tuesday November 24th, 2009

Library won't be included in $16M-$20M project
A1
By Jesse Robichaud
Times & Transcript Staff

BOUCTOUCHE - An NHL-sized ice surface surrounded by 1,100 seats is still in the works as the anchor of Bouctouche's civic centre.

But the idea of adding a library to the $16 million to $20 million project as previously discussed has been dropped, says town manager Daniel Allain.

"The library is located in Bouctouche's downtown, and we don't want to put a library right beside the school because it would put one beside the other," said Allain.

"It gives a certain cachet to the downtown to have a library located there."

The civic centre's final plans will be unveiled in a public meeting tomorrow night at Bouctouche town hall at 7 p.m.

The absence of the library will make more room for the building's other amenities.

"The city hall will be there, there will be offices and we are exploring what would be the best fit (toward creating) a one-stop shop," said Allain, referring to the disposition of government services at the civic centre.

The possibility of a multifunctional meeting space that could accommodate up to 300 people is still in the plans, but Allain said the town will have to wait and see how the tender process goes before it can commit to when that component will be built.

"If we can't do it this year, we will build the arena and the offices with the possibility of adding the multifunctional space later," said Allain.

The rest of the project is slated to begin construction in March, and be complete one year later.

"We are at a point where we have already secured the final plans, and there are just a couple of components we are waiting for," said Allain, noting the tender process.

A request for proposals is currently being drafted, and will be launched early in 2010.

Allain said there is plenty of interest from the private sector in a large meeting space.

"Let's say there is a big company in Moncton that wants to take its staff on a weekend retreat. It will be perfect for that," he said, noting that tourism operators would also benefit from the spin-offs of such a meeting space.

"It will be geared to be a mini-congress centre with a sound system," said Allain.

Construction of the civic centre is expected to create about 50 jobs.

[MonctonRad]

Feds, province on board for Miramichi STU campus
Published Friday December 11th, 2009

Discussions expected to continue in to the new year

MIRAMICHI - The provincial government and the federal MP for Miramichi say they're both on board with the idea of St. Thomas University setting up a campus in Miramichi.

Post Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault and Conservative MP Tilly O'Neill-Gordon both expressed varying degrees of optimism yesterday in reaction to the university's board of governors agreeing to pursue a 'college of extension' based out of the St. Michael's Basilica convent in the former town of Chatham.

Arseneault said there's no denying STU's historical ties to the Miramichi, adding that the proposal is very much in line with goals set out in his government's action plan for post-secondary education.

He said he's eager to hear specifics about the expansion, including what type of programming will be offered at the new campus.

Arseneault said he'll need to iron out the details with STU before establishing what role the Graham government will play in terms of providing any potential funding.

"We'll work with them and whatever we need to do to move the file forward, we'll work with them for sure," he said.

Arsenault didn't hold back when he made it known that he expects the federal government to be an equal contributor with regard to any potential funding.

He was critical of O'Neill-Gordon for "leaking" the news two months in advance of the proposal's approval from the university's board of governors.

"She leaked it a long time ago and if she wants to talk about it she better have some money to put into it," he said.

"I'm not sure where she would get the funding, maybe she's got some pots of money somewhere, but in terms of the federal (Knowledge Infrastructure Program) for post-secondary institutions, all of those funds have already been allocated and I'm not sure if it's been identified where any money for the Miramichi will come from... But I'm more than willing to work with her, St. Thomas and the Miramichi," Arseneault added.

O'Neill-Gordon said she and Senate speaker Noel Kinsella initially approached STU with the idea in the fall and have had several meetings ever since.

She said she fully intends on working alongside the provincial government to make sure that there will ultimately be a St. Thomas campus in Miramichi for the first time since 1964.

The MP said it was her understanding that there will likely be four-year degree programs offered in areas of study including gerontology and criminology.

STU spokesman Jeffrey Carleton said earlier this week that the board believed a college of extension in Miramichi would bring greater access to post-secondary education for Miramichi area students.

[Smevo]

December 3, 2009, Cape Breton Post

Strait town wants its bypass

CHRIS HAYES
The Cape Breton Post

PORT HAWKESBURY — Mayor Billy Joe MacLean and council want assurances that the construction of a bypass around the Strait area town remains a priority for the provincial government.

The mayor, who raised the issue at a meeting of Port Hawkesbury town council, said Wednesday he has heard the proposed bypass, which would divert truck traffic that currently drives on Reeves Street through the town, may have been set aside for review.

“A little bird has told me that the priority list as established by the previous government may not be intact, has been set aside for review,” MacLean said.
“Look, we don’t want to embarrass anybody. We don’t want to sound like we are crying in our beer but this is a really serious matter. Talk to us.”

Construction of the bypass — which would connect Trans-Canada Highway 105 with the provincial Highway 104 — was supposed to start in the spring of 2010, according to a promise made by former premier Rodney MacDonald, said the mayor.

“Now I just can’t get the answers I want so I told council about it last night (saying) look, I think it’s important enough for all of us to go to Halifax to meet.”

The mayor said his office sent a letter to the provincial government Wednesday seeking a meeting.

The cost of the proposed eight-kilometre highway bypass has been estimated at $35 million.

The mayor said the bypass would divert a large number of heavy trucks travelling along Reeves Street in Port Hawkesbury.

A traffic count showed that there was a tractor-trailer travelling along Reeves Street every 3 1/2 to four minutes, he said.

NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp.’s plans for a biomass-fuelled electricity generating plant proposed for the company’s pulp and paper mill at Point Tupper would add up to 20 per cent more truck traffic to Reeves Street, MacLean estimated.

There have been frequent traffic accidents on Reeves Street, he said.

The mayor said adding another lane to Reeves Street with a median down the middle and perhaps additional traffic lights have also been proposed as a temporary measure until the bypass is done.

“That was received quite well by the town and it may be that if they are going to put off for 10 years, say, or five years, the bypass, and we have steady increase, then maybe they have to come down and talk to us about the second option.”