CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Charlottetown Coun. Mike Duffy said there is a good reason most of city council didn’t attend a recent residents’ group meeting over an asphalt plant on Sherwood Road.
The residents’ group meeting was called as a rally against plans by Chapman Brothers to build an asphalt plant.
Some of the residents who spoke at the meeting pointed out that none of the councillors who supported the amendment in favour of the asphalt plant attended the meeting to defend their decision.
Duffy said as soon as the residents filed an appeal with the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) that meant councillors had to stay away.
“We’re not supposed to appear or speak at something if it’s before IRAC or the courts,’’ Duffy said.
Duffy did acknowledge that the appeal has been put on hold while the group formally asks council to reconsider its vote on the recent amendment that paved the way for more asphalt plants in the industrial zone on Sherwood Road.
However, he added, at the time the meeting was originally scheduled the IRAC appeal was active.
Mayor Philip Brown attended and spoke at the meeting. Coun. Jason Coady, who represents the area, was also there and spoke.
Councillors Mitchell Tweel and Bob Doiron who both voted against the amendment also attended. Coady said Coun. Julie McCabe, who also voted against the amendment, had a prior commitment and couldn’t attend the meeting.
The five councillors who voted for the amendment, including Duffy, did not attend.
