Lunenburg’s Comprehensive Development Plan is controversial before it’s even launched.
A staff recommendation sparked lively debate at the last Town Council meeting.
They proposed to establish a steering committee composed of councillors and experts with experience in project management and public engagement to guide the process.
Mayor Rachel Bailey objected to the recommendation.
She believes council shouldn’t be handing over the project to another committee.
“We are ultimately responsible for the oversight of a project of that size. And so I’m concerned that nothing be lost in translation through a third-party in dealing with the consultants.”
Councillors McGee and Mosher feel including the subject matter experts will move the project forward more quickly.
While the mayor says the town already has experts on staff and can contract others if needed.
“We have a planning advisory committee which already includes citizen representatives which didn’t look a lot different from the committee that was proposed.”
Bailey says this is a major project which will impact every operation of the town.
A decision on the recommendation couldn’t be reached and council will re-visit the issue at their next meeting.
Reported by Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
