In a tie-breaking vote Monday night, Mayor Shawn Mesheau rejected a motion requesting more time and engagement in the amalgamation process for Sackville, Dorchester and three surrounding areas.

Council first defeated a motion from Bill Evans to outright boycott the amalgamation proceedings, but not without some dramatics.  CAO Jamie Burke told council that the motion was illegal, and that he could not be forced to break the law.  Councillor Matt Estabrooks accused Evans of throwing staff and their careers under the bus.  Evans rebutted that there was nothing illegal in his motion, but it was defeated, 7 to 1.

Sabine Dietz then made her motion asking for eight changes to the amalgamation process.

Dietz had the support of three other councillors, Bill Evans, Michael Tower, and Ken Hicks.  But Allison Butcher, Bruce Phinney, Matt Estabrooks and Deputy Mayor Andrew Black voted against her motion, even after amendments to soften its tone. The mayor then delivered the tie-breaking vote, defeating it.