OLIVER PAIPOONGE – Should the proposed merger between the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge and the Township of Conmee go ahead, the newly joined community will likely get a new name – the Municipality of Riverview.
However, the name can be revisited through a two-year transition period should the amalgamation move ahead on Jan. 1, 2021 as proposed.
The new moniker was one of several details made public this week in a report about the plan, which was first made public this past April.
The logic behind the change is that an independent, new name is better than trying to combine existing communities within the two municipal areas so no one area is seen as being preferred over any other.
Conmee includes Hume and Mokomon, while Oliver Paipoonge includes Baird, Carter’s Corner, Harston, Lee, McCluskey’s Corners, Millar, Murillo, Stanley, Kakabeka Falls, Slate River Valley, Intola, Rosslyn and Twin City.
“Consultants have historically recommended that the names for amalgamated municipalities avoid using recognized hamlet names, but, rather, incorporate the recognizable (and potentially developmentally valuable) natural scenery or resources within the community,” the report reads.
“With this in mind, the restructuring committee is recommending that a merged municipality be named The Corporation of the Municipality of Riverview.”
While some communities, including Thunder Bay, have chosen to rename amalgamated communities through referendum process, and while it’s not being considered at this time, residents will be given a chance to have a say ahead of the 2022 municipal election in case a potential question needs to be added to the ballot.
“Should the name change as a result of the question, there would be cost associated with new branding,” the report says.
Discussion about the new community’s slogan will also be held.
The report shows although both municipalities are financially sound, significant cost savings can be realized by joining forces and forming one new community. The plan is to set any savings aside for at least three years into a reserve fund, which proponents of the plan estimate will add up to close to $1 million.
“There will be savings of over $300,000 a year every year from the time of the merger on,” said Oliver Paipoonge Mayor Lucy Kloosterhuis. “And these are conservative numbers. We didn’t go and find and pick everything that we’re going to save money on.”
The savings would mostly realized by avoiding duplication of service and surplus staffing needed, as well as duplication of contracted-for costs.
Additionally the move would give the community more political clout and better purchasing power from greater economies of scale.
The new governing council would consist of five members of the Oliver Paipoonge council and two current members of the Conmee council. In the next municipal election, scheduled for Oct. 2022, a total of five councillors will be voted into office.
Kloosterhuis said the report is extensive and should satisfy the concerns of any residents, who were asked for input.
“We found that Oliver Paipoonge and Conmee are both very stable communities ... Our roads have been well taken care of and they’re in good condition. Their assets, their infrastructure is in good condition, so for those things, we’re very comfortable,” Kloosterhuis said, noting the merger would not cause an increase in taxes for residents of either current community.
Residents will be given a chance to have further input next month.
