By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
In preparation for a prospective agreement on the operation of 310 Division St. as a shelter facility among the Town of Cobourg, the County of Northumberland and Transition House, Cobourg council passed a motion at its February meeting requiring emergency shelters in the town to be licensed and operate within given rules and regulations.
Mayor Lucas Cleveland added an amendment to have it take effect March 28, “one day after our next scheduled council meeting.”
His aim was that the move would encourage collaboration among all three partners on 310 Division, so that an agreement tailored to that particular operation could take precedence.
“It is my hope, as as council, we can create a window of opportunity for the county staff and our staff to find the opportunity to find their way to an agreement,” the mayor said.
“I hope this kind of licensing bylaw isn’t necessary, because we have been able to reach an agreement with the county on 310 Division.”
Cleveland declared collaboration as the best way forward.
“I would like to create the opportunity for staff to reach an agreement allowing this community and Northumberland to successfully navigate a way forward.
“It’s an olive branch, and one that is necessary at this time regarding this project,” he said.
“I think it would be in the best interests of residents to know we are moving forward with the bylaw, should that agreement not be reached. It gives clear direction to our staff to begin the work required for something like that.”
“It indicates to residents that we feel it’s an extremely important situation that is going on here, and we don’t want it to go on forever,” Councillor Randy Barber agreed.
