In Response to the CAO's Response to the 1st Concerned Citizens Newsletter

We've been asked many times about the slides that the Chief Administrative Officer spoke about at the beginning of the March 18th 2025 Council meeting, and we'd like to explain what that was all about.

For those of us who know the previous CAO, it was obvious immediately that an attack was being made against her without an opportunity for her to respond.  For those of you who are still in the dark, prepare yourself with a cuppa and read on. 

The first set of bullet points blames the previous CAO for mismanaging the town office and the budget, hoodwinking the Council into doing things they didn't want to do, overspending, and even hiring a family member without the Council's approval.

The second set of bullet points boasts of savings and underspending, a CAO tough on rules and procedure, and a better qualified office staff in general since the resignation of the previous CAO.  It also makes the Council look guilty of not taking their jobs seriously.

Look at the heading dates and the CAO's name on the corresponding minutes for more clarification if you need it.

This information was presented as a way of proving transparency by the current CAO.  Let's break down these points one by one.  We've typed the CAO's words in blue, and our own comments in black for easier reading:

2023 - Early 2024 in Review

• As per our audited 2023 Financial Statements Budget was over by 34% on a 2.9-Million-dollar budget, as in the minutes May 2024 the Deputy Mayor noted our budget should stay around 70-75% as there are budgeted items that are meant to go within a reserve fund for Water Treatment Plant Operations.  This was rejected, and Deputy Mayor was informed the town would be staying within a 5% variance.
  
  Interestingly, when we went to the town's website to pull up the 2023 budget to do some fact checking, we could not get access to it.  Look at this screenshot of the website: 2023 numbers are not included.  
  
  
  
  We'd also like to point out that we do not have access to the town's financial statements to fact-check this statement.  If we need to save money for the water treatment plant, that should be in the budget as an item line.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.

• In 2022 Financial Statements there was a $441,730 surplus, in 2023 Financial Statements there was a deficit of $9531.  The first time a deficit was seen since 2017.
  
  Again, without citing, or showing us the financial statements, this is not proven to be fact.  Please cite your statements to the public.  Prove what you're saying.
  
  Even more distressing, is the idea that we could have a ~ half a million dollar surplus, and our taxes are still being increased.  This statement needs some very serious explaining.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• The Towns budget should not reach a 100%, within our budget there are departments labelled Water Treatment Plant operations and water storage distribution tank every year we are able to lock this into GIC's to ensure growth and to make sure when in operation, it is not a shock on Tax Payers to operate.  New-Wes-Valley was able to get the funding for the Water Treatment Plant because we were actively showing a financial plan forward.  
  
  All departments should be budgeted, including savings.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• Committee meetings, where crucial information is discussed, and are mandated were cut back drastically.  When chair members Councillor Hoyles and Councillor Best requested them, they were declined.  The legislated amount of committee meetings are once every 3 months.
  
  Who declined the meetings?  Who is in control of the Council?  What exactly is the point of this statement?
  
  Committee meetings are meant to be open to the public.  They are not.  Residents do not know who make up the committees, nor the times/dates the meetings are held.  Minutes of these meetings are not available on the website.  How can the public attend meetings if they are not invited?

• Open meetings

        40. All regular and special meetings of a town council and all meetings of a town council committee shall be open to the public.

  2023 cT-6.2 s40

  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• Committee meetings are crucial to council being provided all information needed.  For example, in a finance meeting Bank account balances and an Accounts Receivable report are to be presented.  
  
  Also all public information that we are not given access to.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• Rules of procedures for Council Meetings as legislated by Municipal Affairs were not met.  
  
  Why is the CAO claiming that the Council has not conducted their meetings properly?  
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• Items for a council meeting should not be brought in for decisions and motions night of.
  
  What is this bullet point in reference to?  Is the CAO complaining again about the Mayor's ability to run a meeting?
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• Facebook page was shut down, after council requested it to remain up and running.
  
  We don't think your blogmaster should comment on Facebook.  She is beyond biased on this topic. 
  
  However, at the meeting after the town's Facebook account was paused (it takes a long period of time to actually delete a Facebook page), the CAO gave a great presentation about why she ordered the pause, and there wasn't any complaint, only understanding, from the councilors.  That was witnessed by at least one member of the public in the gallery.  No one spoke up against it then, at the appropriate time.  
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• A position for Marine Port Safety Officer was offered to a resident without a job posting put to the public. No discussion was brought to a committee, due to lack of meetings.
  
  A position for two Marine Port Safety Officers was discussed with at least one resident without a job posting to the public, as was discussed in a regular public town council meeting a day or two before.  There was no job offered at that time.  This bullet point is simply a lie.  This blogmaster was in the audience of the meeting in which a Councilor suggested the CAO's brother-in-law be contacted about the position, but that comment did not make it into the official Minutes.
  
  An excerpt from the Minutes of April 23rd 2024:
  
  For the record, the CAO's brother-in-law is still not an employee of the town, and never has been.  The current CAO offered him a job, but that job has not started, and he has not been contacted about training yet.  
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
  
• The Town of New-Wes-Valley was audited for improper Public Procurement Processes in 2024 for 2023 calendar year.
  
  What is the point of this statement?  Are you saying that the town council was allowing improper work to be approved all throughout 2023?
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• Franklin Covey, a service not made for municipalities nor a requirement under services was signed on a 3-year agreement totaling $45,864.30 -  $15,288.10 per year, not budgeted and not a required service as per Public Procurement. 3 quotes were not obtained nor a RFP* went to public, Franklin Covey stated they had not offered local government pricing for AAP*, but still this was brought to council. As per the minutes dated February 6th. no monetary amount was presented to council and a motion was requested within the report. Council trusted this was at no cost , with information they were given. This was divided into 3 payments staying within the spending threshold for management of $5000 without having to obtain approval. The invoice was always $15,288.10, not 3 payments of $5096.03. PPA* was not followed. In the minutes from February 6th it stated a list of successes due to Franklin Covey, this is misleading. These successes were completed by current staff in this office with little to no experience with Franklin Covey.
  
  An excerpt from the town's minutes of January 23rd 2024:
  
  
  
  An excerpt from the town's minutes of February 6th 2024:
  
  
  A unanimous motion from the same evening:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The CAO is challenging minutes taken by herself and accepted by the Town Council.
  *RFP: Request For Proposals
  *AAP refers to All Access Pass
  *PPA is an acronym for Public Procurement Agency
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency
  
  

• GICB Roofing project when originally went to tender, 1 bid came in almost double what the town was funded for and 2 others came in late. Proper procedures as per Public Procurement would have been to either descope the work, retender or perform a limited call for bids to at least 3 contractors. This did not occur, PPA was not followed and a contract was signed between a contractor and New-Wes-Valley.
  
  Why weren't proper procedures followed?  Who is the CAO blaming?  What does GICB stand for?  
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• Roads were approved and paved without a council motion or council being made aware until after the fact via email totaling $46,913.70, again not budgeted. RFP nor limited call for bids, PPA was not followed.
  
  Why weren't proper procedures followed?  Who is the CAO blaming?  Where are the facts and figures to back up this statement?  Cite your information.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• Southwest Pond Park Truck - motion to approve $13,999. Council received an email shortly after to inform the truck was purchased at a price totaling $22.499.03, No approval or motion for reference was completed.   
  
  Again, no information cited.  Where did she find these figures?  What are the dates? 
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.

2024 - Now

• 2024 Budget ended at 74% overall, allowing council to make up for 2023 GIC withdraw for water treatment plant along with adding budgeted 2024.
  
  Again, if the town is able to put so much money, unbudgeted, away for future expenses, why do our tax rates continue to rise.  Savings should be budgeted. 
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• 2025 Budget for the month of March is sitting at 54% and annually at 13%.
  
  Sounds like we're not bothering to spend the money we had planned to spend on important things.  What's being neglected?  Show us your financial statements.  Back up your words, not with projections, but actual reports.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• From May 2024 - Now, there has been 10 Public Works Committee meetings, 13 Recreation, Tourism & Heritage and 9 Finance Meetings for a total of 32 meetings - more than what is required. This has ensured council are aware, review, and discussions take place before a decision on all matters.
  
  Yes, and this all happens in private.  Without the knowledge of the citizens of New-Wes-Valley.  Where are those meeting minutes?  Still nothing cited.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• Current CAO requested that the threshold spending limit be cut in half, to ensure no overspending.
  
  If this was a problem, it should have been requested by our elected officials, not by the CAO who is meant to follow the direction of the council, whether she agrees with them or not.  
  

  Relationship between town council and town manager

        60. (1) Where a town has a town manager, the town council shall provide direction to the town manager regarding the administration, plans, policies and programs of the town.

               (2)  A town manager shall not disobey, disregard or overrule a decision of the town council.

               (3)  A town manager may advise or make a recommendation to the town council but the advice or recommendations of the town manager are not required before an action of the town council.

               (4)  Where a town manager provides advice or makes a recommendation to the town council, the town council shall consider and make a record of the advice or recommendation in its minutes but the town council is not required to follow the advice or recommendation.

  2023 cT-6.2 s60

  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• 2 staff members received Public Procurement Training through GOVNL.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• With the help of Public Procurement, a policy was drafted and adopted to ensure proper procedure is being followed.
  
  Which policy are you referring to?  There are 20 items listed under the "Policies" section of your website.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• When a RFP, RFQ, Tender of Limited Call for bids is completed by the town - it is under review and recommendation by our lawyer and contact with the Public Procurement Office. If a tender is short, there is a reason.
  
  Are our staff not trained well enough to issue a call for bids without the help of a lawyer every time?  That sounds wasteful and expensive, and not trusting our employees to do their work.
  
  Nothing about this bullet point proves transparency.
  
  
• List of Tenders:   
  - Salt Box - 1 Page
  - New Truck RFP - 11 Pages
  - Water treatment Plant - 271 Pages
  - Ford Ranger - 1 Page
  - Metal Roofing - 3 Pages
  - Operations Beothic Arena - 1 Page
  - Beothic Arena Ventilation - 512 Pages
  - Architectural Rendering, CMHC - 10 Pages
  - Newtown Firehall Roof Replacement - 2 Pages 
  
  And lastly, nothing about this bullet point proves transparency, just like the rest, as none of these items have been shown to us as a reference.