HUDSON BAY — With 2020 almost in the books and one council meeting left for the Town of Hudson Bay, council has agreed to cancel their annual meeting of boards and committees to cut back on COVID-19 risks.
Teresa Parkman, Hudson Bay’s administrator, said this annual meeting usually sees a dozen committees and boards that represent different aspects of the town present a year-end report to the council and is an opportunity for both chairs and council to connect about what is going on for those groups.
Due to heavier restrictions coming up from the provincial government and a need to eliminate those possible COVID-19 spread risks, board and committee representatives will be asked to send a report to the council instead of being at the chambers in person at a later regular council meeting, Parkman said at the Nov. 24 council meeting.
“We don't want to put people in that position that they need to come into the room because then they feel obligated. It's not that important to bring them in... if they still want to meet with the council, then they can contact me and we can set up a time for our regular meeting just as a delegation.”
Groups have been deeply impacted by COVID-19, Parkman said, with events and fundraisers throughout the year not going forward. Groups will still have the opportunity to present their financial positions and how that has changed over the year to council and council will still be able to discuss board concerns. This is important for councillors to be aware of, she said, and having that communication between council and boards of the community is much needed.
“These committees and boards are part of the town so it's to keep up to date on what they're doing, and their goals.”
Parkman hopes to have reports ready for the second council meeting in January.
The Nov. 24 meeting also saw the remaining town councillors sworn in as members of council for the 2020-24 council term. Councillors Mel Cadrain, Betty-Lou Palko, Megan Dickson, Alexis Armit, and Sherry Pilon were sworn in over the last two council meetings as returning councillors to the table, along with Mayor Glenn McCaffery who was also back at the table being uncontested during the recent election period. New to the table is Kelly Stonehouse.
