Budget concerns delay decision on archivist

By Michael Walls-Kelly

Fixing the archive facilities of Belleville and area has, for the time being, been shelved.
A resolution, which would enable an architect to start drawing up plans for a new archives building as well as allow the city to start looking for a full-time archivist to run the facility properly, was tabled after discussion at the city council meeting on Nov. 23.
The contention came with the second part of the resolution: hiring an archivist. While Councillors Garnet Thompson and Pat Culhane were adamant about moving the setup of the facility along, Councillor Robert Dolan took issue with the vagueness of the second part of the resolution.
"[It] says we're going to hire an archivist. Well, okay, how much does he get paid?" Dolan said. "We were told a number: I want to see that in writing."
Councillor Jack Miller also shared Dolan's concerns.
"Basically what the council was asking for was a blank cheque," said Miller.
After some back-and-forth at council regarding the urgency of the operation, Mayor Neil Ellis suggested tabling the discussion until a proper budget could be outlined and brought back to council.
"Originally we were going to hire a part-time archivist, now it's a full-time archivist. The next thing you know, he's going to have to have a secretary, a janitor, a night watchman. Let's get all of this out on the table before we go approving all of this stuff," said Dolan.
"This is a brand new position. I think the responsible thing is to know exactly how much you're paying before you hire someone," said Miller.
Thompson was disappointed by the decision to table the resolution, having hoped to get an architect on board and renovations happening shortly after Christmas.
Dolan did suggest separating the resolution into two parts. That motion was defeated.
Thompson supported moving the resolution ahead, stating the archives were in a deteriorated condition and it is extremely important to recover and safeguard these records.
Another factor is the current archives are at the Heritage Centre at 154 Cannifton Rd. N. Once the archives are moved to a new facility, the building can be turned over for the city.
"We want to move on this because we have a building out there that—once we get those records out of there—we can put that building up for sale," Thompson said.
Dolan isn't concerned about waiting a few weeks for the budget for hiring an archivist to come in.
"We've done without one for 150 years," Dolan said.
Volunteers run the current facility on Cannifton, some of whom may be used in the new facility under direction from the new archivist.
Thompson said the budget is to be presented to council by the Dec. 14 meeting, one that he hopes will allow for proper archives on a budget.
Dolan doesn't believe that wanting a budget before moving forward is asking too much.
"You learn after a while, in this business, that things have to be in writing because people tend to forget what they said," Dolan added.