By Sue Tiffin
Here are brief reports on items discussed at a May 26 Minden Hills council meeting, held in person and streamed via Zoom and YouTube.
The cemeteries are now open and the township has started soliciting quotes for grounds maintenance, said Craig Belfry, director of community services.
He said there were a few interested contractors he had talked to and the community services department was interviewing and trying to hire students from the parks.
“The community services department has lost 3.5 positions, which affects our ability to mow the grass and our ability to keep track of everything,” he said, noting that the department lacks a full-time operator. , an occasional part-time operator and two students. posts.
Mayor Brent Devolin commented on the upkeep of the cemetery, which in the past has been criticized by residents.
“I don’t rarely get into this territory, in terms of the council’s personnel priorities, but it’s a cautionary tale, both from a politician’s perspective and on behalf of the staff,” said Devolin. “I know that in these times of limited human resources, we cannot do everything we want to do in a timely manner, but I would tell you that after seven and a half years, the shape of our cemeteries – to say that feedback can sometimes be nuclear – we are on the brink of that again, and we just need to do better and apply those efforts. This is just a comment, not a direction. This season is upon us again.
Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell agreed, saying, “Definitely those cemeteries.” She said she opened an email from a concerned citizen that morning.
“I understand it was probably the first cut of the season, but it’s still quite a mess and it’s a little awkward I guess,” she said. “I know you’re understaffed and that’s not a knock on you, but it’s something that we as council members control the budget for – if more money needs to be spent on this is the kind of thing that needs more money invested for it.
Roller skating parties could come back
As she has done before, Schell asked if, with the ice out of the arena, it would be possible to have an in-line skating event on Friday night, similar to a public skating event.
“It was huge when I was a kid here many years ago, and I think people would be interested,” Schell said. “It could be a way to get the community out, using the community center, and basically it could be run the same way as public skating, you bring your skates and there’s a bit of music playing in the background. .”
Belfry said he would ask staff to consider what type of program could take place.
“I would really, really, really want that to happen this summer if we could,” Schell said. “I might even come because I just got a new pair of roller skates.”
A return to in-person counseling
Minden Hills council met in person on March 26 for the first time since the onset of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been over 800 days since we’ve been together in the Chambers,” Devolin said.
Minden Hills Council will use a hybrid model similar to other local councils, in which council members, the municipality’s chief executive and some staff will meet face-to-face in chambers, while department heads and members of the public will continue to participate virtually. Meetings are available on YouTube to watch live and up to a week after the meeting.
“Look forward to this new chapter,” said Devolin.
