Matheson council is supposed to meet tonight, here's what's on the agenda

BLACK RIVER-MATHESON - Matheson council is supposed to meet tonight (April 23).

It's been months since the group last met and the agenda items are stacking up. A CUPE Local 1490 rally is also set to take place this afternoon and the township has closed its office for the remainder of the day.

The rally is for the ongoing labour dispute between the union and Township of Black River-Matheson. Fourteen CUPE members were locked out by the township in October. The members went on strike when the township ended the lockout in January.

It's happening from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 410 Fourth Ave.

The last time that council publicly met was Jan. 23. Its Feb. 13 meeting was cancelled due to a CUPE rally that day. Short of quorum, the Feb. 27, March 12, March 26 and April 9 meetings were cancelled. They did meet in-camera on Feb. 20.

Quorum hasn't been met because councillors Dave Dyment, Louise Gadoury and Steven Campsall are boycotting meetings in an attempt to have the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) step in.

If a municipal council can’t hold a meeting for 60 days because of a lack of quorum, the Municipal Act says that the Minister of Municipal Affairs may declare all of the seats vacant, triggering a byelection. The 60 days have passed.

SEE: Three Matheson councillors boycotting meetings to try and force byelection RELATED: Scheme to force Matheson byelection 'just not going to happen' predicts CAO

Here’s a look at what’s on the agenda:

The full agenda is available here.

Tonight’s meeting can be watched on the town’s YouTube channel here.

Marissa Lentz, Local Journalism Initiative, TimminsToday.com