Friday, March 29, 2024

Mulgrave still waiting for action on dangerous intersection

  • January 6 2021
  • By Lois Ann Dort, Local Journalism Initiative reporter    

MULGRAVE – The intersection in Aulds Cove linking Highway 344 to the Trans-Canada Highway has been a safety concern for many years, especially for the Town of Mulgrave; it’s the chief means of egress from the community.

At the regular council meeting on Jan. 4, Mulgrave CAO Darlene Berthier Sampson detailed the long trail of correspondence on the issue that has occurred within the last year. Letters have been sent to the Minster of Transportation, the Trucking Association, Irving Oil Ltd. (who owns and operates the Big Stop at the location), the RCMP, and most recently to the Emergency Management Office for Antigonish.

As of yet there has been no movement on the file to make the intersection safer. A traffic study of the intersection has been completed but the resulting information has not been released to the town despite requests for it. Mulgrave will continue to advocate for increased safety at this crucial intersection.

In other business, the town is waiting for a response on the offer of employment given last month to a potential new CAO. Berthier Sampson has fulfilled her contractual obligations and does not wish to stay on, although she continues to be a strong and passionate voice on behalf of the town.

Berthier Sampson told The Journal on Tuesday (Jan. 5) that the individual offered the CAO position is still considering the offer and has requested that the start date be delayed until the first week of February. No other candidate has been identified to receive an offer.

In addition to seeking a new CAO, the Town of Mulgrave has also been searching for a finance administration clerk. This position has been filled and the new employee will begin in mid-January, said Berthier Sampson. The job will include duties that several soon-to-be-retired office admin staff have performed for many years.

“There are senior employees coming up for retirement either in the next year or next couple of years. We don’t want to wait for that to happen. This is really risk mitigation,” said Berthier Sampson of the new position.

Council passed a motion to work in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion to help fund upgrades to the Mulgrave cenotaph. Plans include resurfacing of the monument and the addition of a stone carved Canadian flag. The legion has an estimate of $4,772 including tax for the project. Council has agreed to pay up to 50 per cent of that cost.

The town is also looking at tenders to replace the guard rail on Mill Street. “We’re certainly moving ahead with the project. We’re just making sure we get the best value for our money,” said Berthier Sampson.

Council is still waiting for information regarding the date of construction of the Bailey bridge on Main Street. The public will be informed regarding road closures and detours, as soon as the information becomes available. The project is expected to start this month.