Enterprise (Apr 17/06) - The Settlement of Enterprise is mulling over the idea of changing its status to a hamlet.

Residents had a chance to learn what the change would mean - basically more control over community affairs - at a public meeting on April 12.

Mayor Winnie Cadieux said there's no need to make a decision made right away.

"We need to start thinking about it," she said.

Ten of Enterprise's 90 residents attended the meeting, many of them members of the settlement council.

The information session was presented by Gail Cyr, an advisor on legislation and elections with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).

Cyr said changing from a settlement to a hamlet - a municipal corporation - would give Enterprise more power to deal with the issues facing the community. As a settlement, Enterprise can't own property, pass bylaws, borrow money on a long-term basis or own community infrastructure.

"To gain access to governing authority typical across Canada you have to change your status," Cyr said.

A settlement's power is delegated by MACA and the council acts as an advisory body to the minister. A settlement council oversees such things as garbage, water and sewer, recreation and other services.

Cyr said, as a hamlet, it's up to a community to assume authority by passing bylaws as residents see fit. "At least the options are there," she said. "In this situation, you have no options." Cyr explained 25 residents have to petition the minister to start the process.

Cyr said hamlet status will increase government funding, although no figures were mentioned. It would take a minimum of six months to make the change, meaning it could be done by April 1, 2007, said Cyr.