It was a pleasure to host my winter round of community gatherings in Lincoln, Lincoln Heights, Skyline Acres/Southwood Park, the East Plat/Downtown, and Bishop Drive/Lian-Valcourt during the months of January and February. Unfortunately, the East Plat/Downtown meeting coincided with a snowstorm, but the turnout at the other gatherings was great.

Thank you to all who could make it – your input is so important and helpful. My second round of community gatherings will be held this fall with details to come. Please email me at david.coon@gnb.ca if you would like to be notified of these community gatherings.

Bishop Drive/Lian-Valcourt – Joined by Councilor Ruth Breen

Streetscape and Park: Many issues were raised regarding the streets, particularly the round-about and the park. Councilor Breen responded and will follow-up.

Access from the Hanwell: Many people voiced concern about the safety of turning off the Hanwell Rd into the neighbourhood and exiting onto the Hanwell Rd. I contacted the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure about the need for turning lanes and reduced speed limits. They informed me that stretch of the Hanwell Road is under the jurisdiction of the City of Fredericton, so I will follow-up with Councilor Breen.

Condominiums: Condo buildings are eligible to participate in the new recycling program run by Circular Materials. The Condo Board must register their building with them and arrange to have the recyclables available for pick-up separately from the household garbage. I contacted NB Power’s Save Energy New Brunswick group and was told that there is no energy efficiency program available for individual condo units, but condo buildings are eligible. As for property assessments on individual condo units rather than the entire building, as they are owned by the resident and are subject individually to market forces, they are assessed individually. The opportunity to have this changed will be available in the fall when the provincial government begins its public engagement on increasing the fairness of the property assessment system.