The village of Masset is applying for $350,000 from the Gwaii Trust major contributions program, which could allow it to build a 38-berth small craft marina with absolutely no tax dollars.
At Monday's council meeting (Jan. 26), chief financial officer Kim Mushynsky said things are "looking good" for the village's application to the federal softwood lumber adjustment program, although there has been no official announcement. The village has applied to this fund for $650,000 towards the $1-million marina.
If this application and the Gwaii Trust application are both successful, the village will be able to go ahead with the marina without holding a referendum, because it won't have to borrow money and taxpayers won't have to spend a cent, Ms Mushynsky explained.
Masset is also asking the Gwaii Trust for $523,000 towards the proposed waste water treatment plant which will serve Old Massett, Masset and the "New Town" project just south of Masset.
The total cost of the treatment plant is about $5.2-million, said chief administrator Trevor Jarvis, with Masset's share being just under $1.6-million. Masset has applied to the Canada-BC infrastructure fund for the remainder of its share.
The village also decided to apply to the Gwaii Trust Legacy Fund for $15,000 towards nine new breathing apparatus for the fire department. Masset will contribute the other 50-percent from the fire department's equipment budget.
In other Masset news:
• Council voted to donate the community hall to the Haida Gwaii Society for Community Peace for a performance of the "Vagina Monologues" on March 27. Councillor Lorrie Joron said she will be performing one of the monologues, and will make sure the hall is cleaned up after the show.
• The new chair of the Masset airport committee is Peter Rempel, councillor Ed Woode said. The committee is looking for another member, and has a notice up on MHTV.