Belleville Councillor Mitch Panciuk, in the chair, consults with CAO Rick Kester during debate at city council, June 13, 2016. (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
A Belleville councillor has lost his bid to have a sidewalk and trail be part of this year’s roadwork at the North East Industrial Park.
Monday night city council considered a staff report recommending that since CN Railway had not yet approved pedestrian level crossings in the area the city should do only the road work this year and the trail work next year.
Councillor Egerton Boyce argued that the people are in danger.
He urged council to do the sidewalk-trail work leaving aside the CN sections.
Some councillors expressed concern about the city’s liabilities.
Council approved the roadwork only for 2016 with the pedestrian trail complete in 2017 when CN approvals are expected.
Recycling centre
Belleville city council has awarded the contract for a residential drop-off recycling centre at the Thurlow Waste Disposal site to BluMetric Environmental at a cost of $59,000.
Councillor Jackie Denyes raised concerns about residents in the area and staff indicated that there will be a buffer zone.
CAO Rick Kester told council it will help extend the life of the Thurlow landfill site.
Clothing donation bins
Belleville will step up its regulations on clothing donation bins with a new bylaw.
Both Councillor Paul Carr and councillor Jackie Denyes pointed to a recent bin they had seen that had debris around it, including a toilet.
Staff has been asked to prepare a new bylaw regulating such bins.
Lighting up the park
A new entrance feature will be put in place at Jane Forrester Park at Belleville’s harbourfront.
Councillor Garnet Thompson told council it will be part of the Christmas Light display in the area.
The $35,000 project, including sail features as well as lighting, was approved during the city’s budget debate.
Tribute to BGH volunteers
City council paid tribute to Belleville General Hospital Auxiliary volunteers Monday night for their 78 years of
service to the hospital. Mayor Taso Christopher said they had raised money for the hospital and recorded more
then 2.5 million volunteer hours to BGH. The volunteers’ Opportunity Shop has raised $100,000 for cancer care.
