Port Joli association gets community hall

A public meeting attended by Mayor John Leefe, Deputy Mayor Doug Adams, Counc. Darlene Norman and Regional Clerk Chris McNeill took place Feb. 11 at the West Queens Recreation Centre.

“There was an excellent discussion,” said Mayor Leefe. “Everybody shared their points of view.”

By the end of the evening, Mayor Leefe said the consensus was the provision of a Quit Claim deed to the Port Joli Community Association was the appropriate course of action.

The motion was passed Feb. 18 at council’s regular monthly meeting.

An amendment to revert ownership of the property back to the municipality if the association ceases to function was proposed.

“The amendment was voted down,” said the mayor. “Our view is we don’t own it and that’s why a Quit Claim deed is provided.”

The association plans to refurbish and renovate the aging building. It might include a museum component. An area landowner asked the Region last month to take action if the association isn’t successful.

The Region, as pointed out at an earlier Committee of the Whole meeting, can hypothetically utilize its Unsightly Premises bylaw.