The North Bay Mattawa Conservation Authority has a new chair.
She's Papineau-Cameron councillor Shelley Belanger, elected at its Annual General Meeting on Jan 24. Mattawan Twp’s Michelle Lahaye was elected Vice Chair.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues, our dedicated staff, member municipalities and stakeholders as we work towards the betterment of the environment in this watershed,” said Chair Belanger. “We thank Dave Britton for his strong leadership as Chair in the last two years.”
“Very proud and happy to serve our member municipalities during challenging times including budget restraints and changes to the Conservation Authorities Act. I strongly believe that this group will be able to address the challenges gracefully,” said Vice Chair Lahaye.
The Board will also have its hands full with staff seeking to unionize. A vote was taken Sept.13, and International Association of Machinists spokesman Scott Jackson tells BayToday that management is holding up the results by claiming that a number of the employees who voted are managers, and those votes should be invalid.
See: Conservation Authority employees looking to unionize
“NBMCA staff continue our watershed management role with strong governance in place," said CAO Chithra Gowda. "Our programs and services include flood forecasting and warning, planning and permitting, on-site sewage systems permitting, source water protection, recreational conservation areas, outreach, and more”
The members also elected Lana Mitchell of North Bay, Bill Moreton of Calvin, Dave Britton of Powassan and Irene Smit of Callander to the Executive Committee. Belanger and Lahaye are automatic appointees to the Executive Committee. The Executive serves as the Finance and Administration Advisory Board with responsibility for deliberating and making recommendations to the Board on the annual budget or administrative matters.
The NBMCA Board members are appointed by NBMCA’s 10 member municipalities. Returning members include Belanger and Lahaye as well as, Chris Mayne, Peter Chirico and Lana Mitchell (North Bay), Nunzio Scarfone (Chisholm Twp), Irene Smit (Callander), Bill Moreton (Calvin Twp), Steve Trahan (East Ferris), Loren Mick (Mattawa), and Steve Featherstone (Bonfield).
The Source Protection Authority (SPA) Board of Directors also held its AGM Wednesday, electing Belanger as Chair and Lahaye as Vice Chair. The SPA oversees the Drinking Water Source Protection Program for the North Bay-Mattawa Source Protection Area. SPA members include representatives of municipalities located within the Source Protection Area. In addition to the NBMCA Board members, the SPA includes Teri Brandt (South River), Steve Kirkey (Nipissing Twp) and Jim Ronholm (Strong Twp).
