The following is an unedited bullet point summary of the Municipality of Tantramar Special Meeting on March 29, 2023 (original video here). This was generated using ChatGPT (AI) as well as a browser extension called YouTubeDigest. While ChatGPT limited the transcript size it could analyze at one time to about 10 minutes of the meeting (requiring 9-10 separate cut and paste steps), YouTubeDigest summarized the entire video right on the YouTube page for the video. YouTube videos come with an auto-generated transcript (assuming one wasn’t manually uploaded) which isn’t always correct and affects the text in the bullet points. The transcript can be obtained on any YouTube video by clicking the ellipsis underneath the video on the right hand side. So to be clear this is a two step process: obtain the auto-generated transcript then provide it to ChatGPT to write a bullet point summary or article. Auto-generated transcripts should get much better soon because AI is improving rapidly but Google would have to update this as they own YouTube and likely won’t be using ChatGPT technology on their site.

I asked for 30 bullet points as the initial 10 point summary was not detailed enough. Note that the YouTubeDigest extension contains the timestamps in the video.

• The meeting is called to order.
• The agenda is approved by motion.
• Sackville’s goal is to reduce capital borrowing and eliminate debt by using capital from the operating budget.
• Sackville may borrow for utility budgets, but it has a lot of deficits to address, with pipes that were put in 70-80 years ago.
• Sackville’s asset management plan increased by CPI from the prior year.
• Sackville should have done for Capital Revenue in 2023 with CPI increase.
• Dorchester’s budget breakdown for 2023:
• Dorchester has benefited from a capital letter revenue of $20,000 on average over the past three years, and now has $129,500 in capital letter revenue to work with.
• Provided funds for wages, training, travel, memberships and equipment
• Overall capital budget of $1.5 million for General Government Services
• Evaluation of whether to go TMR or move to a different type of dispatch with other organizations.
• Allocation of $32,000 to design and develop a training facility that combines vehicle extrication and building construction training.
• A fire truck purchase in 2024 for Dorchester, costing 800,000 and would be included in the borrowing application.
• Fire trucks have a life cycle of 25 years, with one replaced every five years for the last 15 to 20 years.
• Issues with storm sewers in Sackville and Dorchester. Recommending $60k for storm sewer maintenance in Sackville at the Main Street and Donald Harper area. Upgrading of cross culverts is necessary.
• Replacing two old vehicles and one backhoe with new ones.
• Improvements for designated highways are budgeted for $350,000 with a 15% allocation of funding to Dorchester for $35,000, which will go as far as the money allows and stops once it runs out.
• Discussing the sidewalk plows and why the older one is being sent to Dorchester instead of keeping the new one for Sackville.
• Assessment of upgrading the fire hall size needs to be evaluated as they progress and may require renovation.
• Replace Zamboni at Civic Center with electric Zamboni
• Investment priorities in the budget for 2023 include the remediation of the former Town Hall and development of the Dorchester fire hall.
• Benefits of using an electric machine over burning propane fumes on the inside of a closed-in facility.
• Development of a regional approach towards tourism may be implemented by the regional service commission.
• Sackville is available for 2023 but all money is allocated to paving various streets
• Sackville had around 3.5 million dollars built up in our general capital reserve fund to pay off our portion of Lawrence Street phase three and the fire truck purchase with our capital letter Revenue and not borrow.
• Recommendation of a call for a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design of Lagoon upgrades to ensure that there is enough infrastructure money for the project before the construction phase.
• Annual water treatment plant upgrade and Capital upgrades for 2022
• The two sections of stage are hay carts used for events like Sappy Fest, but for Fall Fair, a covered stage is rented.
• Late tenders are likely to come in high during that time of the year.
• Temporary financing of three years allows overdraft protection on bank account while large projects are ongoing.

I also had the meeting summarize as an 8 page article which is available here in PDF form.