can we afford a new building?

WE NEED TO DISSIPATE THE FOG

FEASIBILITY STUDY
By request of the Building-Property Committee, two firms have submitted their proposals for a Feasibility Study to build a new Municipal building or addition to the Firehall in Jemseg. The Feasibility Study Proposal DOES NOT include the potential use of existing buildings in Arcadia.

PROS AND CONS OF NEW BUILD IN JEMSEG

A Feasibility Study Proposal means that the Committee has already determined that this is the route to be taken, pending the study being completed. I do not know of the scope of work - example the size of the building, nor the costs. I believe it would entail 4 offices and a council chamber - perhaps 1500 sf to 2000 sf - perhaps $1,000,000 or more. As of the last Council Meeting, Chairman Sharpe indicated there was nothing to report.

PROS - a new building with proper bathroom facility and wheelchair accessibility; a building that is central to Arcadia; possibility of tying into existing sewage and water; self-contained and not affecting any other community events; assistance from government grants

CONS - even with government assistance, the Municipality will incur a loan/debt. Cost overruns are a common occurence as most contractors will not commit to fixed costs, or will build in extremely high contingencies. Maintenance of the building (and all Municipal buildings within Arcadia) will occur long after this and many Councils are gone. The burden is ultimately the taxpayers over many years.
- Council has struggled with the amalgamation and do not have a financial path provided through Fiscal Reform which comes from the New Brunswick government. Although office space is required, this proposal as the only viable option does not demonstrate fiscal responsibility to current challenges
- it cannot be assumed that the existing sewage is adequate
- it could easily take 6 months or more to build new - even after the contract has been awarded
- there are 3700 residents in Arcadia - most people do not know of this proposal and should be part of the decision making process based on the magnitude of the project

THOUGHTS ON USE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS

These are food for thought:
Using an existing building is 'going green'. Meaning we are using something already in existence rather than producing something new. The prior Cambridge-Narrows Municipal Building has an upgraded energy efficient mechanical system, plumbing and electrical, as well as wheel chair accessible with a motorized ramp.
There is an existing kitchen in the building, washrooms, small office, Council chambers and a public space. Council chamber and the existing office may be adequate for staff. As a result of the size of Arcadia, Council Meetings which have been on a rotational basis should continue.


These are some of the considerations that may or may not have been discussed within the Building/Property Committee in coming to their conclusions. As taxpayers, we need to know how we will be affected. We need to know why, how, when, what benefit, and what cost - especially to our taxes. This is a major project that will ultimately affect our pocket books when we are already struggling.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS. IF I AM ELECTED MAYOR, I WILL BE FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE ARCADIA TAXPAYERS HAVE INPUT INTO THIS.

Jim Larson