Selling of Sweetman’s Garden ‘a rumour’

File photo.

Once again North Bay City Council addressed the public about circulating rumours and concerns that the area known as Sweetman’s Garden is for sale.

“I would like to make one thing clear; in order to put Sweetman’s Garden up for sale the city must first declare the area as surplus lands and we have not done that,” Councillor Chirico said Tuesday.

He said he understands the public’s intent to ensure the area is preserved and assured the crowd of about 30 that it is in the councils interest to try and work out a plan that will mutually beneficial to the community and the city.

Mayor Vic Fedeli said Mr. Sweetman has tended to the Garden (with help) for the past 50 years and now the issue of new ownership must be faced and brought to the public in an open manner.

“We have a lot of respect for the Sweetman Garden, but we have to be realistic as a council and look at liability, safety and accessibility as well as maintenance and cost implications if the city or anyone is to take ownership of the area.

“I would like to add that as a council we have always been environmentally conscious, for example: the expansion of the blue box program, the methane collection site at the Merrick landfill and each year we add $150,000 to the budget for parks and the list goes on,” Mayor Fedeli said.

The Mayor then handed out before and after shots of the development at Silver Beach to prove the councils intentions, which in turn satisfied the large group that intended to voice their concerns.

Council brought forward the recommendation that the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to negotiate terms of change of ownership of lots 158 and 162, McIntyre Street West (Sweetman’s Garden) which would preserve the future use of the lands as gardens.