The last regular meeting of Port aux Basques town council was held on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Barring a possible meeting to approve the 2019 town budget, which is still being finalized, this will be the last meeting of council for 2018.
All councillors were in attendance except for Jim Lane, who was in St. John’s to attend the Marine Atlantic annual general meeting.
Affordable housing seminar
Council is hoping to persuade Long Range Mountains MP Gudie Hutchings to hold an upcoming affordable housing seminar locally, though that will depend on the number of people who state written interest in attending. Council is actively reaching out to potential entrepreneurs and members who intend to attend as there remains a strong need for future development of affordable housing in the region.
Waste management update
Coun. Melvin Keeping has advised the Southwest Coast Waste Management has been informed that the town has completed its part of decommissioning the old landfill.
He also shared a few waste management updates:
• The cost to dispose of roofing shingles has been reduced from $164 per tonne to $60 per tonne.
• The standard tipping fee of $164 per tonne will remain in effect for 2019.
• Restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses will be provided with containers to properly dispose of cooking oil. The containers will be collected free of charge and transported to the Cape Ray waste management facility, and there will be a disposal container kept at the facility as well.
• Businesses will be brought onboard with the new waste management program early in the new year.
• Debit machines will be installed at the facility in the near future for onsite payment.
Possible new gas station and restaurant
Council has pledged support on behalf of C&C Enterprises in its bid to acquire Crown land to establish a new gas station and restaurant. Council will require that any such enterprise is fully compliant with environmental, provincial and municipal regulations.
Municipal capital works
Council has adopted its list of priorities for funding under Municipal Capital Works in 2019. Topping the list for next year will be the Grand Bay Bottom sanitary/sewer system design and construction.
This is estimated at $2.193 million, and will be split on an 80/20 cost sharing basis, meaning the town’s contribution is estimated at $438,776.
Currently there are lift stations in place to deal with grey water in several areas throughout town, but the new federal regulations have mandated the upgraded system.
Council has also identified the following projects:
• Cox Avenue reconstruction. The project is estimated at $404,835 and cost shared on a 50/50 basis.
• Carson Crescent storm and sewer insulation. Projected cost is $392,589 on an 80/20 split.
• Grand Bay Road storm and sewer insulation. Estimate is $262,701 on an 80/20 split.
• Warren’s Road reconstruction and paving. Estimate is $279,113 on a 50/50 split.
• Blackmore’s Road, Button’s Lane, George’s Road, Payne Street road reconstruction. Estimate is $244,067 on a 50/50 split.
Already funded and approved for work next year are Walters Lane, Bragg’s Lane, Grandview Crescent, Taylor’s Lane, Anderson’s Lane, and repairs to the Bruce II Sports Centre roof.
