By Colleen Dane - Comox Valley Record
Published: December 01, 2009 3:00 PM

About 20 people turned out for updates from the Village of Cumberland at its regular town hall meeting this week.

From backyard chickens to water meters and road repairs, residents had a chance to ask questions and get straight answers Monday night.

Many had questions about the extensive road work that is underway in the village right now, questioning the timing of the construction.

The work is installing stormwater pipes, replacing old water pipes and repaving many of the roads. Much of it is being paid for by a grant from the provincial and federal governments, which restricts their working timeline.

“We have to spend the money before February ... I just think we have to make the best of it,” explained Coun. Bronco Moncrief.

Council also fielded questions about water meters and their potential rates, and held a brief discussion about possibly changing the name of the CRI Hall to help clarify the building due to similar names throughout the Comox Valley.

The village was also given an update themselves by the head of the Coal Hills BMX Association, Rick Grinham.

“You are at risk of losing one of your facilities in the community,” he said, describing some of the challenges the organization is faced in maintaining the popular facility. The BMX track is on village property, but paid for by the association through fundraising.

Grinham suggested that the facility come under the village’s recreation service, not only to help with costs, but also to encourage recreational use of the site.

“I think that this is a good time to start thinking about this for the future,” said Grinham, who explained that operations for the facility cost about $7,000 a year.

Council finished the hour-and-a-half meeting by encouraging the public to get involved in the Regional Growth Strategy. Manager of Community Services Dave Durrant presented some background to the proposal and councillors emphasized their hope for more feedback from residents.

“We’re saying, get involved,” said Mayor Fred Bates.

Cumberland holds town hall meetings a few times a year to get input from the community regarding various issues in the village.

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