Cartwright council seeks better relationship with Nalcor as transformers set to roll through

As four of the seven 200-tonne transformers destined for Muskrat Falls sit at the marine centre in Cartwright, Mayor Dwight Lethbridge speaks about improving relations with Nalcor.

Town voted last year to block transformers bound for Muskrat Falls, but opposition muted so far this time

Jacob Barker CBC News Posted: Jul 24, 2017 7:27 PM EDT | Last Updated: July 24, 2017

Four of the seven transformers destined for the Muskrat Falls project now sit at the marine centre in Cartwright after their journey from Bay Bulls. (Jacob Barker/CBC)

There is not a lot of noise in Cartwrightas the first four 200-tonne transformers destined for the Muskrat Falls project sit at its marine centre. Last year people in the town voted to stage a protest andblock the transformers when they rolled through its streets, but this time justa handful of people in the town have spoken out so far.

"The meeting with our provincial government and the three aboriginal groups certainly tamed the flames," Cartwright Mayor Dwight Lethbridgetold CBC News, referring tothe marathon meeting that took place late last year to address concerns about the methylmercury that will be released when the Muskrat Falls reservoir is flooded.

Cartwright Mayor Dwight Lethbridge was among those who entered the Muskrat Falls site during protests last fall. (Jacob Barker/CBC)

"It is my understanding that there have been some steps made to try and follow the spirit of that agreement with regards to getting crews in, clearing some vegetation, trying to keep water levels as low as they can."

Lethbridge said he is still concerned about the amount of time it's taking to get an independent review committee in place to look into the project.

"The relationship with Nalcorhas changed a lot. There's been a change of the guard at Nalcor," he said.

"There's been a bit of a change in the mandate fromthe government to Nalcor.It's our responsibility at the town council to seek benefit and growth for the community."

The town also initially had concerns about how the town's infrastructure would hold up under the weight of the massive transformers. An oil pipe runs beneath the planned route for the trucks carrying the transformers but he says Nalcorhas taken steps to survey the pipe and avoid it wherever they can.

"If there is any concern, they're going to plate over it and drive over it and there shouldn't be any issues," said Lethbridge.

Talks with Nalcor

Lethbridge also notedthe Town of Cartwrightand theNunatukavutCommunity Council have been in talks with Nalcorto improve their relationship.

Jeannie Ward, Anne Hamel and Leona Williams protest in front of one of the transformers shipped into Cartwright, bound for the Muskrat Falls project. (Jacob Barker/CBC)

"The town council has been focused on reaching a long-term relationship agreement with Nalcorwhich benefits the town long into the future by way of strategic infrastructure agreement," reads a press release from the town.

Lethbridgesaid he did not want to share the details of the negotiations before they are tangible.

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