For Immediate Release: June 10, 2020
The following items were discussed at the regular monthly meeting of the Stratford Town Council held virtually through Zoom on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
Youth Public Engagement Opportunity
The Town of Stratford is in the design phase for the previously approved natural playground planned for Fullerton’s Creek Conservation Park. With three layouts presented to the Town using natural elements for play, residents, in particular the youth who would use these structures, are being asked to submit their comments to Town staff no later than 4pm on Thursday, June 11.
Asset Management Policy Approved
Council approved a resolution adopting the Town’s new Asset Management Policy. In accordance with the Municipal Government Act all municipalities on PEI are required to have an asset management program and inventory in place. Asset management assists staff and council in making decisions about the use and care of infrastructure to deliver services in an improved manner as it considers both the current and future needs of the asset (such as maintenance, servicing and replacement schedules), manages risks and opportunities, and makes the best use of resources. The Town has been participating in a cohort training program with other Island municipalities over the past couple of years. The cohort continues to meet for further training opportunities in a group environment which allows learning from one another.
Utility Loan Renewal
A loan in the amount of $174,000 for Utility capital projects from 2010 has expired and after requesting proposals from six financial institutions, the tender was awarded to TD Bank for a 10-year term at a rate of 2.40%.
Canada Revenue Agency Request for Authorized Delegated Authorities
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allows for delegated authorities to be identified and permitted access to business account information online or by telephone. Council approved the authorization of Robert Hughes, CAO and Kim O’Connell, Director of Finance and Technology to be the Town of Stratford’s delegated authorities for the CRA business accounts of the Town of Stratford, Stratford Utility Corporation, and Stratford Business Park.
Street Names Approved
Two new streets in the Town of Stratford received approval. The names were proposed by the Town’s Heritage Committee. A new street being constructed running from Marion Drive and connecting to MacKinnon Drive will be named Perley Drive after W. Perley Mutch. The road is located on property formerly farmed by Mr. Mutch.
In the Forest Trails subdivision a new private street will be named Chester Thomas Way. Chester Thomas Balderston was killed in action in the First World War. His family owned and farmed the property for many years where the Forest Trails subdivision is now located.
Council Remuneration and Allowances Commission
An independent commission was proposed to undertake a review, and subsequently make a recommendation to Council, regarding the compensation of mayor and council for the Town of Stratford. After debate, Mayor Steve Ogden was required to break the tie vote, by which he voted against the resolution before council of having a commission review the compensation of council members at the present time.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Application
The Town of Stratford has been working with other municipalities in PEI and Nova Scotia, and with PACE Atlantic Community Interest Corporation, to develop an application to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for loan and grant funding to offer a PACE program to the residents and businesses of these participating communities. A similar program was piloted by the Town after the Community Energy Plan was adopted, so this current joint initiative, is another step in providing residents and businesses with a means to reduce energy use through efficiency improvements and increase renewable energy production, whereby funds are advanced to property owners to cover the capital cost of improvements to be paid back from savings in electricity and fuel costs. Town Council voted 4-2 to endorse a joint application to FCM with the City of Charlottetown and Towns of Kentville and Wolfville on this project; to endorse a Memorandum of Understanding among the municipalities named above and PACE Atlantic; and to proceed with the implementation of a PACE program in Stratford and direct staff to develop a bylaw to enable the implementation of the program in accordance with Sections 206 and 207 of the Municipal Government Act.
Records Management Bylaw
In 2008 the Town established a Records Management Policy to classify and set retention periods for files. The Municipal Government Act requires municipalities to establish a Records Retention and Disposal Schedule, and the Records Retention Regulations within the act set out retention and disposal requirements for certain files. The Town’s new Records Retention Bylaw was drafted to meet both the Act and Regulation requirements and to continue with current records management practices and classification to the greatest extent possible. First reading of the bylaw was held.
Black Lives Matter
Mayor Ogden took a moment to reaffirm the Town of Stratford’s support of the black community condemning any acts of hatred and violence towards any individual or group. He added that “as a municipality, we continue to embrace diversity, equality and inclusion in our community and strongly condemn any acts of bigotry. We stand with all those feeling the pain and fear that comes from prejudice and racism, and are committed to doing better, to learning more and to sharing our community with all.”
Resident Acknowledged for Receiving Lifetime Achievement Award
Council recognized the lifetime achievement award from the Radio Television Digital News Association recently presented to Stratford resident and longtime volunteer of the Town of Stratford, Pat Martel. Congratulations to Pat on this award.
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For more information please contact:
Wendy Watts, Community & Business Engagement Manager
Phone: (902) 569-1995
Email:
[email protected]
Recording of the June Council Meeting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdDEIazak5k
Printable version of media release:
Media Release - Stratford Town Council Meeting Summary (June 10, 2020)