Posted Oct 15, 2014, 5:12 PM
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Chateau Heights Water & Sewer Funding Agreement Reached
Map of proposed phasing
Quote:
October 14, 2014 - The City of Fredericton and Province of New Brunswick have reached a funding agreement that will result in a safe, reliable water supply for the residents of Chateau Heights and the faster installation of services along McLeod Hill Road.
The estimated $20 million “Chateau Heights Municipal Water and Sewer Extension – Project Funding and Management Agreement” addresses a long standing problem for the residents of the area. The deal will see the Province invest approximately $15 million to extend water to Chateau Heights. As part of the project, the City will spend $5 million to extend water & sewer services along McLeod Hill Road.
Design and construction work will take place over the next four years. Residents of Chateau Heights will become part of the City of Fredericton in May 2018. Then they will be able to connect to the new water & sewer service.
“The Province asked for the assistance of the City in correcting this issue under a partnership model,” said Coun. Bruce Grandy, Chair of the City of Fredericton’s Finance & Administration Committee. “The agreement meets the needs of those living in Chateau Heights; provides a clear benefit to the City in the long-term; and, ensures existing City residents are not subsidizing the service extension.”
"It is important for the people of Chateau Heights to have access to a safe, reliable and clean water supply, something that has been a challenge for so many years,” added Coun. Grandy. “The co-operation of the City of Fredericton, Government of New Brunswick and the residents of Chateau Heights in coming to an agreement is an example for the rest of the province to follow in solving these types of challenges."
The following infrastructure extensions and upgrades will be required to connect Chateau Heights to the City of Fredericton water & sewer system:
New water & sewer lines will be constructed on McLeod Hill Road.
A new booster station will be constructed on McLeod Hill Road.
A new transmission water line will be extended from the Northbrook Reservoir, off Brookside Drive, westerly to the site of a new Chateau Heights reservoir.
A new reservoir will be constructed in the Chateau Heights area.
New water and sewer lines will be constructed in the Chateau Heights subdivision.
As per the agreement, the Province pays for:
All upgrades outside the City, including water & sewer lines, road construction and a water reservoir.
All water transmission costs, including a transmission line from Northbrook Reservoir to Chateau Heights Reservoir and a major booster station on McLeod Hill Road.
The City will pay for upgrades along McLeod Hill Road, within the City, including water & sewer lines. The Province will also contribute to road reconstruction where the transmission infrastructure is present.
“The City responded to the Province’s request for assistance in a structured fashion. We used clearly defined parameters that were based on current City policies and designed to protect the interests of existing City of Fredericton residents now and into the future,” said Coun. Grandy.
“This is the first ‘proactively planned’ joint annexation of an already developed area by the City of Fredericton and the Province. It ensures City infrastructure standards are implemented and adhered to during construction, along with a clearly defined service level for the new residents and the application of the City’s inside tax rate.
The general parameters for the agreement include:
All infrastructure necessary to support the annexation and supply servicing to the new residents is to be cost neutral to the City and therefore paid 100% by the Province.
All infrastructure is to be constructed to City standards.
Ensure the overall agreement is equitable for the existing City residents and the application of current City policies for new residents. New residents will pay the same as existing City residents.
Facilitate the strategic development of land and municipal growth as outlined in the City’s Northwest Master Plan.
The extension of water & sewer services up McLeod Hill Road has the positive effect of opening up the City’s Northwest development zone and creates options for servicing that previously did not exist. It expedites the upgrade of McLeod Hill Road from an estimated 20 years to four years. The design approach, of bringing water from the Brookside Drive area, minimizes the amount of infrastructure required and creates a more cost effective system to operate than otherwise possible.
Residents of Chateau Heights voted 61% in favour of annexation with the City of Fredericton during a plebiscite held on May 12, 2014.
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