APRIL
The New Westminster school district is looking for ideas on how to deal with $2.69 million in unfunded cost pressures for next year. The school district wants the public to weigh in on where it should cut to offset the hefty shortfall being faced by the district. It’s contemplating a variety of moves to address funding woes – including increasing fees for athletics and the international baccalaureate program, increasing class sizes and cutting teaching and support staff. It also approves the closure of night school programs.
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart asks New Westminster to “abide by the law” so his city doesn’t have to take legal action to keep the Bailey bridge open. The comments came after Stewart read media reports suggesting New Westminster intended to proceed with the installation of a single-lane Bailey bridge to replace the current structure.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service gets to work on forming a task force that will target low-rise apartment buildings for inspections and recommend potential upgrades. The move comes in the aftermath of a Jan. 31 fire on Ash Street that leveled the building and destroyed the homes of more than 30 people.
City of New Westminster staff suggest the city “pause” applications for high-density developments in the downtown until they’ve had time to complete some policy work. The recommendation, which comes after staff determines the downtown is growing at such a rapid rate that it would exceed population projections for 2021 with the currently proposed projects, is tabled.
