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Q&A focus of upcoming West Fernie meeting
With a petition deadline of July 21 edging closer, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is hosting a public information meeting aimed at answering questions on the proposed West Fernie Servicing and Restructure Project.
“We had a well attended meeting earlier this month and have since sent out the information and petition packages,” explained Electoral Area A Director Mike Sosnowski. “What we are finding is that people are now starting to digest the information and some have questions. With the petition deadline approaching, we want to provide another opportunity to answer those questions.”
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 15, at 7 p.m. at Fernie Family Centre. Director Sosnowski and RDEK staff will begin by providing information on a number of common questions and then there will be a question and answer period to follow.
“Staff will also have copies of the petitions in case people have misplaced theirs and anyone who has signed a petition will be able to submit it at the meeting,” adds Sosnowski. “Signed petitions must be received at the RDEK office in Cranbrook no later than 4:30 p.m. on July 21. A postmark is not good enough. So, we thought this would provide another opportunity for people to submit their petitions in advance of the deadline.”
The project consists of three distinct components:
1. Servicing: Providing/improving water, sewer and storm drainage services;
2. Financing: Utilizing grants, securing additional grants and borrowing money to pay for servicing improvements;
3. Governance Restructure: Joining the City of Fernie.
Although the project will be done in phases, the petition process applies to the entire service area.
“Whether property owners are in Phase 1 or a future phase, if they support this project moving forward, they need to submit their petition prior to the deadline,” explained Sosnowski.
To be determined sufficient, the petition must be signed by the owners of at least 117 (half of 234) of the parcels of land within the proposed service area and the total value of the parcels for which signatures have been obtained must represent at least $32,678,406 (half of $65,356,812 of the net taxable value of all land and improvements within the proposed service area).
For information on the West Fernie Servicing & Restructure project, visit westfernie.ca or contact the RDEK office in Cranbrook.
RDEK
