(Photo: Quinte News / File)
Residents of Brighton concerned about the community’s ongoing doctor shortage will be pleased by this news.
At council’s regular meeting last night, Mayor Mark Walas confirmed that a doctor who signed onto the recruitment program in 2012, will be here next year.
Walas tells Quinte News the arrival of Dr. Harrison Bishop next summer was never in doubt.
But even after making the announcement, Walas was still quizzed by a pair of residents, about what’s been done since a further $100,000 was added to the doctor recruitment budget earlier this year.
Walas says he’ll have more concrete information on that at an upcoming public meeting on May 11.
Other councillors echoed the mayor, saying the doctor recruitment issue was extremely important and they’ve all been doing their due diligence on the issue.
Walas says that May 11 meeting will be the best chance for residents to have their say on the process, as it moves ahead.
Library usage up in Brighton
It appears more people are visiting the Brighton Public Library to start this year, compared to last.
The library’s Mellissa D’Onofrio-Jones updated Brighton Council on how things have been going at the library this year and says usership is up 16%, compared to the first few months of 2015.
She says one of the more popular programs is the “Paws for Reading” program, run with the help of St. John’s Ambulance, where children read stories to some furry friends.
D’Onofrio-Jones says a number of big events are planned for the summer as well, including “pop-up libraries” around the municipality in July and August.
She noted that one of the other programs that’s become extremely popular, is the tech-help program for seniors.
She says it’s even being expanded this year to offer one-on-one sessions to help with a number of computer-related issues.
The sessions are available every Tuesday and while walk-ins can sometimes be accommodated, it’s best to book in advance.
All you have to do to book an appointment is call the Brighton Library.
Council considers letting business open on holidays
Businesses in Brighton that want to stay open on statutory holidays may get that chance as the town looks to update an antiquated tourism by-law.
Last night Brighton Council discussed eventually changing the by-law, to allow local shops to stay open if they want to, while other stores are shut down for the holidays.
In order to make a by-law change, a public meeting must be held, so that will happen on May 16th.
The by-law wouldn’t force any businesses to stay open, but would give them the option.
A decision is expected to be made at the regular council meeting, following the public meeting on May 16th.
Municipality taking over cemetery management
The Municipality of Brighton is going to start operating the Mount Hope Cemetery.
Brighton already runs three other inactive cemeteries and public works director Jim Millar says it shouldn’t be an issue for the town to pick up another.
Municipal staff would be responsible for records and groundskeeping at the cemetery, while DeMille enterprises will handle actual funeral services and arrangements for the next few years.
Council also agreed to the purchase of new software to help manage the cemetery.
Brighton cruisers can’t park at community centre
Organizers of Brighton’s summertime cruise nights will have to find somewhere else to show off their cars.
Representatives had asked Brighton Council a few weeks ago, to allow the group to use spaces in the King Edward Park Community Centre lot, every Monday night.
But municipal staff didn’t recommend the move, because it would take spots away from people who pay to use the park’s various sports facilities during the summer and would also require the municipality to get further insurance for the lot.
Staff and Deputy Mayor Brian Ostrander both suggested the group ask the school board to use the lot at either the public or high school.
It was noted that agreements have been made with the school board in the past for various events, including Applefest.
Council OKs cash donation to community expo
Brighton Council has agreed to help out with transportation costs for an upcoming community info event in Cobourg.
The Community Connections Expo is being held June 3rd and 4th at the Cobourg Community Centre and will feature displays from OPP and various other community organizations, showing the public exactly what kinds of services can be offered to them.
Brighton will contribute $1,000, to be taken from the Economic and Community Development budget and also advertise the event on the town’s website.
Other municipalities in Northumberland County have also been asked to help offset the transportation cost for the regional event.
