Notes from the Ashcroft Council meeting of Jan. 12.
Roll Call: Mayor Jack Jeyes and councillors Doreen Lambert, Al Mertens, Barbara Roden and Alf Trill.
Lytton Emergency Services
Council agreed to support Lytton with its request to become part of the TNRD Emergency Program Service for 2015. Ashcroft is already part of this service.
Clinton Ball
Council passed a motion to authorize Mayor Jack Jeyes to attend Clinton’s 148th annual Ball on May 16.
Evans Road Walkway
Mayor Jeyes noted that there was not sufficient width on Evans Road to put in a full walkway for pedestrians. However, he said, he would look for assurance from the Ministry of Transportation that when they pave Evans Road this summer, they will include a shoulder and mark it. He noted that it would still be a tight squeeze in some spots, especially where the culverts are.
Cell phone
Council approved carrying on with a policy whereby the mayor would be reimbursed for using his cell phone for Village business at a rate of $80 per month, or the cost of a normal plan for the Village. The alternative was to carry two phones, one of them to be used exclusively for Village business.
TNRD building inspection
Council approved a new three-year contract with the TNRD to provide weekly Building Inspection service.
Administrator Michelle Allen said the rate being charged in the new contract is the same as the old contract.
NDIT business facade
Council decided to continue on with the program and apply for another grant from Northern Development Initiative Truste (NDIT). Only one local business took advantage of the program last year, but staff is hping that it will be better used this year.
NDIT offers the Business Facade Improvement Grant program that provides annual grant funding for municipalities and regional districts of $20,000 in annual funding, to enhance economic development by encouraging private sector investment in business facade improvements.
Economic Development Capacity
On the advice of Administrator Michelle Allen, the Village is putting NDIT on notice that it itents to spend $45,000.
NDIT assists municipalities with building sustainable development. In 2014, Ashcroft hired an Economic Development officer to carry out projects.
“We need to review our economic development strategy,” said Allen, adding they staff would like Urban Systems to work on the Strategy proposal, which would cost approximately $30,000. The Village would use the remaining funds to work towards the goals set out within the strategy. It could become an application in the future, she said. The current economic development strategy was completed in 2002.
Last year’s funding was used for wages for an economic development intern, Resident Attraction Marketing Booklet, a short video depicting the Ashcroft Art Club’s Plein Air and paying for the website hosting fee for the Love Ashcroft program.
Next Meeting
Jan. 26 at 7 pm in the Village Office.