ANTIGONISH: The town and county are working on formalized meetings set to begin next year.
Antigonish Mayor Laurie Boucher said she looks forward to updating the joint meetings between the town and county councils.
Boucher said the two municipalities began having joint council meetings around three years ago.
“We did have an agenda but now minutes were kept and no motions were passed,” she said.
“We just discussed issues that were common between both of us.”
Boucher said the town’s CAO and the county clerk-treasurer are meeting to create terms of reference for formal meetings which could include passing motions. She said the meetings could also be open to the public with kept minutes.
“Our first official meeting is scheduled for February,” she said.
“It’s a good step forward for sure. It’s showing we’re meeting and discussing issues that we have in common. Groups can come and present to both councils rather than presenting individually.”
When asked if there any specific issues she would like see at the joint council tackle, Boucher said the restructuring of the Antigonish Arena Commission was mentioned as a matter of interest. She also said the sewer treatment plant is another matter they both have to discuss.
“Even things like BurMac, that has to have a majority from both councils in order to pass so we should be privy to what they’re saying and they should be privy to what we’re saying so we come out as a united front, a much stronger voice together than apart, ” she added.