Four municipalities appoint representative in Cassellholme exit effort — Baytoday.ca

Mattawa, Calvin, Papineau-Cameron and Mattawan are moving to appoint one representative to speak for them in discussions about leaving Cassellholme, baytoday.ca has learned. The four municipalities are also moving to reaffirm a joint approach as they pursue a collective exit.

Mattawa Mayor Raymond Belanger said the municipalities are trying to do something that will be beneficial for their constituents. He said Mattawa has a nursing home in town that it cannot contribute to because it is “handcuffed at Cassellholme with their capital levy and their operational levy.”

Calvin Township motion

At a recent Calvin Township council meeting, Mayor Richard Gould introduced a motion to formalize the group’s approach. He read from the motion that “It is important to ensure clarity, communication and coordination,” and the resolution reaffirms that Don Gracie of CG Group will act as the sole representative in discussions with various provincial ministries, local MPP Vic Fedeli and the Cassellholme board.

The motion directs that all updates flow through Gracie, and he is expected to present at an upcoming Cassellholme board meeting. The arrangement gives the four municipalities one channel for the discussions instead of separate lines of contact.

Cassellholme board talks

Cassellholme is governed by a board of management representing North Bay and eight surrounding municipalities, with operations and capital funded through municipal levies and provincial support. Outlying municipalities are represented on the board by Papineau-Cameron Mayor Robert Corriveau and Mattawan councillor Michelle Lahaye, alongside three North Bay representatives and two provincial appointees.

Belanger said, “The exit strategy is something that began 20 years ago,” and added, “And we’re back at square one.” Any withdrawal from the operational levy would require provincial approval, while the municipalities say they want to keep paying their share of the redevelopment’s capital costs.

Provincial approval ahead

Dave Mendicino, the Cassellholme board chair, said the board is aware of the group’s position. “We’ve been having ongoing discussions with the municipalities,” he said, adding, “This issue has been around since back when I was on the board in 2012. It’s time we find a solution that works for all our member municipalities.”

The next step is Gracie’s presentation to the board, where the municipalities will be pushing for a path that lets them leave the operational levy while preserving their role in the redevelopment costs.