Community Input from the Village of Perth-Andover

APPENDICES 1
Perth-Andover Community Input
INTRODUCTION
Serious floods have severely impacted the Village of Perth-Andover on numerous occasions
after the construction of the Beechwood Dam in the mid 50’s. The spring of 2012 was another example
of the devastation flooding has on our community and downtown core.
Government research has shown that from 1887-1955 there were 5 reported floods along the
river in Perth-Andover. Since 1955, and the construction of the Beechwood Dam, there have been 14
floods on record. These 14 flooding events occurred after the development of a large head pond for the
operation of the Dam. The first reported flooding of any basement in Perth-Andover was in 1958.
It is obvious to the people of our community that the Beechwood Dam does restrict the flow of
ice and water each spring. In recent years, global warming is having a great effect on the ability of NB
Power to manage the ice and water flows during March and April each year. The creation of head ponds
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greatly widens existing rivers, therefore significantly increasing the volume of ice in a river. As a result, a
Dam contributes the additional ice that leads to jams and flooding.
The devastation of this flood has been compounded due to the significant damage to our
business core. The flood saw our largest private sector employer – Virtual Agent Service - leave the
community along with 65 jobs. Our medical clinic, which is the heart of our health care services still
remains closed with no financial support to rebuild. Numerous other businesses have closed their doors
and will not reopen.
The loss to our Community is much more than just a financial number. Perth-Andover has lost:
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Family Homes
Businesses and Jobs
Remaining Property Owners loss of Equity
Property Damage
Tax Base
Utility Revenue – Light, Water, and Sewer
People have moved out of the community
Stress & Health Related Issues
Village Council firmly believes that public safety is a priority and that residential homes should
all be offered the opportunity to relocate to higher ground. This is the only guaranteed solution for their
safety and protection of property value. Our businesses and medical clinic must receive additional
financial support to restore the economic core of our community.
Rresidential relocation is a public safety issue, protecting our businesses is a community viability
issue!
Council believes that all three levels of government must work together immediately to resolve
these issues. Without reviewing the completed Mitigation Study, Village Council would like to make the
following recommendations to government as a result of the 2012 Flood:
EVENT MANAGEMENT
1) Improved River Monitoring System
River Watch System must be updated to provide Perth-Andover live data on
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River flows coming into the community from the three dams located at Tinker, Tobique, and
Grand Falls
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Outflow at Beechwood Dam
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Projected Elevation with Property Impact Levels
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Hydro generating facilities along the Saint John River system must communicate all relevant
information before and during flood events.
Council has concerns on the level of staff at EMO. Council recommends that staffing levels be restored
to previous levels that would allow for additional involvement with communities and improve
monitoring abilities.
Water level gauge attached to Perth-Andover Bridge should have a battery backup installed.
2) Improved Community Notification System
To provide greater awareness a more detail warning and community education system is required.
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Council supports the establishment of alert levels for ice and water flows in the spring.
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Develop multi-level notification system for emergencies and community information updates.
COMMUNITY RESTORATION - SHORT TERM
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3) Relocation of Residential Properties
Whereas, a relocation program would be starting late in this construction season, Council recommends
it be a two-year program offered to all residential property owners who had water in their basement
during the 2012 flood. This program should begin during the fall of 2012 and continue in the spring of
2013 until all homes who wished to be relocated have been safely moved. Property owners should be
fully compensated for all associated relocation cost including an allowance for landscaping and
restoration of basement living space.
Offer Relocation Option to remaining 70 residential properties impacted by the flood.
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Including residential properties that did not qualify for the DFA program
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Could be offered buyout based on assessed value as an option
82 Building Lots
Current
Future
Totals
Andover
Serviced
Unserviced
9
5
38
3
47
8
Perth
Serviced
Unserviced
2
8
15
2
17
10
Total
24
58
82
Initial Program Set-up
Once the program is announced, it will be essential that the program launch immediately. This is to
allow the option for those residents who wish to relocate this year to start the process quickly.
The suggestion would be that a Relocation Committee be formed to represent:
- Provincial Government
- Federal Government
- Municipality
- Technical Inspections
- Local Lawyers
- Mental Health
A management team should also be formed and include:
- Representative from EMO Staff
- Representative from Federal Government Staff
- Representative from Village Staff
- Representative for Building Inspections
All land acquired by the Provincial Government from buyouts or relocations, should be turned over to
the municipality for future development.
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Other Key Points
1. Set up office within community to house the above listed management team along with a
support staff person.
2. Meetings with all property owners should be held to explain the program.
3. Conduct an overall contractors meeting for all potential contractors to explain the program,
scope of work, timeline, schedules, tendering process, etc.
4. Ensure that moving companies possess a total coverage insurance policy for homes while in
transit.
5. All contractors should be required to have liability insurance prior to work being completed on
behalf of the relocation program.
4) Hospital Support
The Hotel Dieu Hospital provides a vital role in providing excellent health care services in our part of the
province. Council looks forward to working with government on their commitment to restore all hospital
services to our community as quickly as possible.
5) Medical Clinic
Our medical clinic needs financial support to rebuild in our community. A new medical clinic is
mandatory to consolidate all medical services and consolidate services to allow physician recruitment
for the future. A new Medical Clinic along with the Hospital improvements are time sensitive to ensure
residents receive the medical care they deserve. Under previous flood financial aid programs the
medical clinic received financial support. A compensation package needs to be provided to the clinic
immediately to restore services similar to previous floods.
6) Review Residential and Commercial Property Damage that did not qualify under the DFA Program
A pool of funding must be established to address property damage not covered under the DFA program.
IE: medical clinic, rental homes, vacant properties, apartments, businesses, etc.
7) Flood Proofing
Council believes that flood proofing should only be offered to properties that had minor levels of water
in their basements. This funding could be used to construct a utility room on the second floor. For
future safety, Council would only support raising homes 10 feet above the current flood level without a
basement. Due to site issues and road elevations, relocation is the recommended option supported by
Council.
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8) Land Development - Transfer of Government Land along F Tribe Road
Any surplus land owned by Supply and Service along the F Tribe road should be transferred to the
municipality for the future development of commercial businesses.
9) Extension of Water, Sewer, and Electrical Services in the Community
To meet the additional requirements for municipal services the Community would like to request the
following funding to support the relocation of residential and business properties:
Provincial and Federal Governments provide $750,000 to extend water & sewer services for the
Development of 50 residential building lots.
Provincial and Federal Governments Provide $ 700,000 – $ 800,000 to extend water and sewer services
along the F Tribe Road.
Provincial and Federal Governments provide $ 73,000 to extend electrical services to 50 residential lots.
Provincial and Federal Governments provide $ 80,500 to extend electrical services along F Tribe Road
lots.
10) Top Up Support – Replacement Cost as opposed to Assistance
A pool of funding should be established to provide additional assistance to property owners that can
show a clear shortfall of funding support under the DFA Program.
COMMUNITY RESTORATION - LONGER TERM
11) Protection of Remaining Properties – Residential, Businesses, & Government
As a result of the mitigation study Council would like all feasible projects acted upon as quickly as
possible by the Provincial and Federal Governments. It is crucial that a detailed mitigation plan be
implemented to preserve the remaining downtown area. Further study may be required.
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12) Downtown Business Program
Council recommends that Government pursue two options for our downtown businesses.
a. Raise Businesses & Municipal Infrastructure(Streets & Services)
Plans should be developed that would see our downtown roads and commercial properties raised to a
level far above the 2012 flood level. These raised areas should be considered on both the Perth and
Andover side of the river.
b. Business Relocation Option
Businesses should be considered for a relocation program similar to the residential program.
13) Riverbank Protection and Stabilization
Riverbank protection should be completed along both sides of the river in the community. This
improvement should be extended to the south end of the lagoon facility on the Perth side of river.
14) Further Study of Ice Management Along the Upper Saint John River
NBP should be required to continuously update their ice management protocol in keeping with best
practices in other similar jurisdictions.
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15) Review Effectiveness of Previous Flood Proofing Efforts
A review should be completed on the success of all previous flood proofing activities to evaluate the
positive or negative results.
16) Review of Municipal Rural Plan
A complete review of the Perth-Andover municipal plan is required to reflect and update the current
land planning issues in the community. The municipality will require a grant of $50,000 for this project.
17) Legislation relating to the management of the Head Pond
NBP should be legislated to ensure that Head Pond management is completed in a comprehensive
manner to ensure public safety and to mitigate possible damages to private property.
Council believes that considering the impact of climate change on the environment and the obvious
impact on the Saint John River system, a study be completed to determine if the current head pond
meets modern day guidelines for head pond development. In addition, regular updates of river bottom
mapping to observe head pond changes, dredging programs, bank protection programs, etc. should be
completed by NBP on a scheduled time frame.
A portion of revenues from hydro facility sales should be established to finance Head Pond maintenance
and improvements.
18) Disaster Financial Assistance Program
A complete review of the DFA program should be held to amended the eligibility requirements, funding
for relocation as part of the DFA program, eliminate business deductible, funding levels, third party
appeal process and expanded to include all properties damaged.
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CONCLUSION
Village Council strongly believes that relocation must be offered to our community. Over time, the
relocation program has been the only program that has been 100% successful. For public safety reasons
alone, our community deserves a relocation program. The 1993 relocation program has paid financial
returns during the 2009 and 2012 flooding, saving millions of dollars in avoided damage and property
loss. A similar program in 2012 will produce favorable results in the future. These future savings will
financially benefit the Provincial and Federal Governments.
A special thank you is extended to all government agencies that have provided aid and support
during this devastating event. The response by all government departments has been outstanding and
greatly appreciated by our Council and community. Council would also like to acknowledge the amazing
efforts made by hundreds of volunteers and numerous agencies that assisted our community during and
after the devastating flood. Your support has moved our community in the right direction for recovery.
Village Council looks forward to working with all levels of government to provide the additional
financial support that is required to accommodate Council’s recommendations. The continued support
of both the Provincial and Federal Governments to restore our homes and business community will
greatly be appreciated.
Again, residential relocation is a public safety issue, protecting and supporting our businesses is a
community viability issue!
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