With or without support, Erin Mayor Lou Maieron wants Station Road dam and bridge repairs to be a referendum question on this year’s municipal election ballot.
On Jan. 21 Mayor Lou Maieron attempted to bring forward a notice of motion which would direct staff to investigate and report on the requirements to add a referendum question to the 2014 election ballot.
The question Maieron wanted to include was in regard to repair option(s) for the Station Road, bridge and dam.
Maieron first asked if the item could be deferred to the next council meeting so all of council could vote on the matter. No one seconded his motion.
Undeterred, Maieron read the motion asking for the referendum requirements and the provision of limited repair options.
Maieron said the idea was to give Erin voters “a direct voice in a very significant issue with potentially serious financial ramifications for the foreseeable future.” After his commentary, there was still no seconder for his motion.
“Seeing no seconder, the motion fails … but I have tried,” Maieron said. His comment was followed by the loud sound of crumpling paper.
The mayor then asked whether he could bring the same notice of motion forward at a subsequent council meeting.
CAO Kathyrn Ironmonger said he could.
“There’s more than one way to fillet a fish,” Maieron said.
As the meeting continued, the mayor was informed the crumpled paper containing his motion was still needed for the municipal records.
