Generating debate
City council weighs in on the pros and cons of obtaining new electric generator
Summerside city councillors are deliberating on investing about $23 million for new power generating equipment for the community to be used in times of emergency and backup purposes. Councillors weighed in on an electric utility generation proposal on Tuesday at the March committee of council meeting.
Greg Gaudet, the city’s director of municipal services, outlined that the city currently outsources part of its power supply from New Brunswick, but with a new dispatchable energy generator like the one proposed, the city would have
more security in providing energy in the case of power outages or emergencies.
“We’re trying to create the value locally and create more security locally. There are a lot
things that can happen between New Brunswick and Summerside that could cause different outages.
“And in those cases, although we already have the assets purchased over there we can’t get them here.”
Firefighters were also concerned about a proposed increase to the fire dues that Miscouche charges surrounding communities for fire protection. Council has proposed an increase of about $10 per household, stating it feels surrounding, unincorporated, communities should pay a little more to make the upkeep of the fire department more equal between those communities and residents of Mascouche.
A meeting to discuss that increase is scheduled for March 7 at 8 p.m. at the Miscouche fire hall. Property taxes in the community are proposed to stay the same in 2018 while the sewer rate will see a small increase. The community has until the next meeting of Miscouche council to provide public input on the document. Council will vote on the budget at that meeting.