Sackville councillors network with other municipal councils at UMNB conference

Pandemic planning, pesticide regulations, new accounting measures, and funding for recreation facilities - these issues and more were all on the agenda as Sackville town council traveled to Fredericton earlier this month for the annual Union of Municipalities New Brunswick conference.

Coun. Merrill Fullerton said members of Sackville council had the opportunity to network with other municipal officials during the UMNB meetings, being provided with the chance to gather information on key issues facing New Brunswick municipalities today.

He said a lot of the discussion centered around putting emergency plans in place in the case of a severe H1N1 outbreak this flu season, particularly to ensure the town continues to run smoothly.

"I think we need to establish a contingency plan for staff, especially for those who take care of the water system and the snow clearing," said Fullerton. "Perhaps we might outreach to our neighbouring municipalities for back-up."

New cosmetic pesticide guidelines are also being considered in the province, including the idea of removing 2-4-D from the list of acceptable products that would be allowed in municipalities. He said by next spring, turf managers will also need to be IMP-certified.

"So I'd like to see staff explore the effect this will have on how we treat our fields."

Sackville is also among a long list of municipalities that is considering taking advantage of the RInC (Recreational Infrastructure Canada) funding program, where the community could access funds (one-third of the project cost) from the government for infrastructure improvements/repairs to recreational facilities.

Fullerton said he questions whether the proposed ball field upgrades could fall under the program.

New property tax accountability measures expected to be introduced by the provincial government this coming budget season was also a hot topic for discussion at the UMNB meetings, said Fullerton.

The government is changing the way municipalities will be able to access property taxes in the future, meaning that if a local government wants to collect more money from a booming real estate market, it will be forced to raise its tax rate through a public vote.

Fullerton said by early November, the province is expected to distribute a base tax for each municipality (which he said will not be disclosed publicly), and any municipality that wishes to access the increase for assessments to raise that base tax must apply.

Regional meetings for municipal CAOs, treasurers and town staff to discuss the new system are expected to be held in the near future.

New accounting regulations for municipalities were also a much-discussed concern in Fredericton, rules that will mean towns and cities will be forced to undergo new accounting standards to account for depreciation of capital assets, similar to a private company.

Fullerton said he expects there could be funding help available to assist the town with this process.

Fullerton was joined at the UMNB meetings by Sackville's mayor and five of his fellow councillors.

Last month, council authorized all eligible expenses for Mayor Estabrooks, Deputy Mayor Bob Berry, and councillors John Higham, Joyce O'Neil, Bruce Phinney, Virgil Hammock, and Fullerton to attend the UMNB symposium and workshops from Oct. 2-4

"This is a conference which all of us usually try to attend, since it's one that's closer to home," said Estabrooks at the time.

"And it gives us an opportunity to talk to others with similar issues."