News Leader News for October 28, 2008
SENIORS WANT AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The campaign for affordable housing ramped up on October 20, when Tom Parsons, representing Senior Citizens Branch #30, spoke to Town Council.
Parsons referred to the conversion of Princeton Manor into condo apartments, saying 21 people were affected.
He spoke of concerns regarding the future of the mobile home park on Penryn Avenue which recently was purchased. He asked Council to keep mobile home parks as they are, and to discourage rezoning.
Parsons stressed the need for more affordable housing for seniors.
Mayor Randy McLean responded that he had acquired an application for a grant for a feasibility study and needs analysis.
He emphasized that although he personally is concerned about the need for affordable housing for local people, he is not interested in building "a haven for low income people from across the province". He said Council's task is to first find out the level of need in Princeton, then address that need.
As to handling matters related to mobile home parks, Mayor McLean said Council has certain discretionary powers regarding land use, but Council must balance the rights of property owners with the rights of tenants.
Sylvia Bailey, who brought the matter to Council months ago, asked if Council would commit to providing some land for affordable housing, and put this in a letter of intent to be used for the Attainable Housing Society to apply for future grants. Council passed a motion to provide an unspecified amount of land after a feasibility study and needs assessment had been done.
BURN REQUEST DENIED
In a letter to Town Council, Dennis Mills asked for a controlled burn on the hillside behind his place of residence.
He stated dead trees and debris on the slope pose a fire hazard.
Town Council discussed the problem on October 20, and agreed the area had the potential for wildfire hazard.
Councillors Ray Jarvis and Jim Manion had inspected the site, and had some reservations about a controlled burn, as there is so much debris on the very steep slope that a controlled burn might do too much damage to the fir trees, which appear to be the majority on the hillside.
The other problem is the steepness of the incline and the need to keep tree roots in place to maintain the integrity of the slope.
A further problem prevents the Town from doing anything, as the land in question is outside Town boundary, and is private property.
Council suggested some alternatives, including having a geotechnician and forest technician study the problem together to come up with a viable solution. In any case the owner of the property must be involved.
CITIZENS WORRY ABOUT NEW SQUARE
The construction at the north end of Vermilion Avenue has created some concerns for a number of local citizens. On October 20, Council addressed those concerns.
The Legion wanted assurance that the construction would be finished by November 11.
They were told the curbing and paving would be done before Remembrance Day.
A Vermilion Avenue merchant expressed concern due to lack of foot traffic resulting in loss of business.
Sidewalks are now under construction and the street will be open to pedestrian traffic as soon as the concrete sets.
MAYOR PRAISES CANDIDATES
Town Council chambers were packed for the October 20 meeting. The crowd included a number of Council candidates, and Mayor Randy McLean congratulated them.
"It speaks well for a community that so many are interested in giving time to serve," Mayor McLean said.
All but two of the candidates left the meeting halfway through.
Election day is set for Saturday, November 15th.
