Town looking to expand its housing options

Town officials are looking for a way to increase the number of affordable houses in the community for first-time homebuyers in the area.

Coun. Merrill Fullerton said a request for proposals has gone out, seeking a professional to develop a feasibility study for the town and conduct research into a first-time homebuyers subdivision project. A business model would then be created from that study that could be sold to developers.

"Essentially, they would develop a turn-key document that we could hand out to potential developers," he said.

Warren Maddox, director of community economic development, said there has been a number of housing studies done over the past five or six years which have recommended that Sackville expand its housing stock.

"So rather than go and do another study on the issue, we thought, 'hey why don't we try and do something about it?" he said.

"We need to find a way to provide affordable homes for young couples or single parents who can't afford to buy a $275,000 home but might be more interested in a $100,000 to $150,000 house. At our end, I think it might help our population growth."

Officials headed to bylaw officers conference

Sackville's bylaw enforcement officer Paul Embree, animal control officer Jaime Spicer and town councillor Bruce Phinney are headed to the 2010 Atlantic Bylaw Officers Association Conference later this spring.

Town council approved all eligible expenses for Spicer (who is on contract) and Phinney to attend the conference, which will be held from May 5-7 in Moncton.

Phinney said he is looking forward to attending the workshops, particularly one entitled The Good, the Bad and The Ugly, which is based on New Brunswick municipalities' unsightly premises bylaw.

"There are a number of things that are very exciting and I'm looking forward to going to this conference," he said during council's monthly meeting last Monday night.

Public works department preparing for spring street patching

Street patching will cost the town of Sackville just over $268,000 this spring.

Town council awarded its street patching contract to MacDonald Paving & Construction Ltd. during its monthly meeting March 8 at a cost of $268,262, down slightly from $275,000 the year before.

George Woodburn, Sackville's director of public works and engineering, said the winning contract was the lowest tender submitted and anticipates there will be plenty of potholes to fill throughout the community.

"We certainly have no shortage of areas in town this year that will need this," he said.

Sackville farmers market

to hit the streets again in 2010

Following two successful seasons outdoors, Sackville's farmers market will take to the streets again this year.

The market has flourished in the past two spring/summer seasons as it has expanded from its regular indoor venue out onto Bridge Street.

It has been a popular move that has brought a liveliness and vibrancy to the downtown throughout the warmer months.

Last week, town council approved the Saturday morning street closures for the market. The outdoor market will get under way this season on May 15 and will run through to Oct. 9.

A collaboration of the Sackville Farmers' Market committee, Mainstreet Redevelopment and the tourism department, the market will run on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.