The Tip of the Bay property presents grim curb appeal at the beginning of March

Should the County purchase the Tip of the Bay, including about 550 feet of shoreline along Picton harbour? A proposal to do just that was rejected in a closed session of council in December. But now proponents of the plan are back looking for time and money to investigate the potential environmental and financial liability related to the two-acre triangular property bounded by Bridge Street (Loyalist Parkway) to the south and Head Street to the east.

In a special closed session yesterday, proponents of the plan tried to persuade enough of their fellow councillors that they should investigate the financial benefits of acquiring the property, as well as assess the environmental risks that might be associated with the site.

Councillor Bev Campbell dismissed the report of a proposed acquisition of the property by the municipality as a “rumour,” but allowed that “the development of Picton harbour has been on our agenda for many years.

“All you need to do is look at the agenda of the Picton harbour committee. It has been discussed since I first joined council. To that extent, any private land along Picton harbour has been something we’ve looked at over the years,” said Campbell.

But should a large property acquisition (with an estimated $3 – $4 million price tag) be negotiated entirely behind closed doors? Without public input?

Campbell says that it is necessary to hold negotiations for land acquisition in private to protect both parties.

County Clerk Victoria Leskie points out however that Council is not permitted to make a decision in closed session. If it feels it is near a deal, Council must emerge from closed session and a report must be prepared for a public council meeting. The report would disclose the name of the vendor, the property description, price and terms.

Leskie also sought to make it clear that while council was meeting on Mar. 2 to discuss a potential acquisition, “at this point the County is not involved in any negotiations nor has it commenced any process to purchase property.”