Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council
held
in the Council Chambers, in the Administrative Centre, in Barrington,
N.S., on Monday, February 11, 2008.
The meeting was called to order by the Warden at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk reported that all councillors representing all districts of
the Municipality were present with the exception of Deputy Warden
Nickerson. No word has been received from Deputy Warden Nickerson
and therefore he is expected to arrive shortly.
- Warden Louise Halliday
- Councillor George El-Jakl
- Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
- Councillor Wilford Smith
- Councillor Larry Stewart
- Councillor Sean Strang
- Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson (7:07 p.m.)
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest declared.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
The Warden informed members that it is necessary to add the following
items to the agenda:
- Letter from Premier.
- AIMS Survey.
- Closed Session of Council Re: Potential Legal Matter.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Strang that the minutes of the
last meeting of Council held January 28, 2008 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Wind Turbines
The Clerk informed members that correspondence has been received from
Major J.D. Tromp advising that each wind turbine project proposal must
be reviewed on a case by case basis in order to determine any potential
impact on National Defence Radar Infrastructure. Major Tromp
advised that it is beneficial for each project proponent to directly
contact the National Defence Office responsible for reviewing these
proposals.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 11,
2008
The Clerk informed members that this correspondence has been forwarded
to Schneider Power Inc. and the Building Inspection Department.
Tabled Motion Re: Fire Department Funding
The motion tabled at the January 14, 2008 Council meeting regarding
fire department funding was read by the Clerk. The tabled motion
is as follows:
“Moved by S. Strang and seconded by E. Nickerson that the
Municipality pay the Island and Barrington Passage Volunteer Fire
Department $59,079.82, and the Barrington Volunteer Fire Department
$18,000.00 as previously indicated in their application to the
Emergency Services Provider Fund of the Province of Nova Scotia.”
The above motion was tabled until staff had an opportunity to discuss
the current financial requirements of the fire departments.
The original motion was then brought forward again at the January 28,
2008 Council meeting and at that time it was referred to the Committee
of the Whole since no response had yet been received from the
Barrington Volunteer Fire Department.
As a result of the above motion being considered by the Committee of
the Whole, the following motion was brought back to Council:
Resolution C080201
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that a loan to the
Barrington Volunteer Fire Department for the purpose of purchasing
equipment be extended over a five year period at the appropriate
interest rate. The funds for this loan will be taken from
Municipal Reserves and repaid to the Municipality by deducting the
payments, together with interest, from the Annual Operating Grant paid
to the Department.
Motion carried unanimously.
Assistant Building Inspector
The Clerk informed members that the training of our new Building
Inspector has been discussed with Ted Ross of Service Nova Scotia, and
with Jack Leedham, Director of Nova Scotia Building Officials
Association. They are in agreement that the best way to proceed
is to have Glen Muise enrolled in the available courses and have him
trained as soon as possible. In the interim, they believe that
the Municipality should continue to have Carl Smith act as Building and
Fire Inspector and have Glen Muise appointed as assistant until he is
certified.
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that Glen Muise be
appointed Development Officer/By-Law Enforcement Officer for the
Municipality of Barrington.
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by S. Strang that the above motion
be tabled until after further discussion of the appointment of Building
Inspector/Fire Inspector.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 11,
2008
Resolution C080202
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that Glen Muise be
appointed Building Inspector/Fire Inspector for the Municipality of
Barrington and be placed at the bottom of the salary scale.
AFFIRMATIVE
NEGATIVE
Louise Halliday
George El-Jakl
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger Eddie
Nickerson
Wilford Smith
Larry Stewart
Sean Strang
Motion carried.
The above tabled motion was then brought forward.
Resolution C080203
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that Glen Muise be
appointed Development Officer/By-Law Enforcement Officer for the
Municipality of Barrington.
AFFIRMATIVE
NEGATIVE
Louise Halliday
George El-Jakl
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger Eddie
Nickerson
Wilford Smith
Larry Stewart
Sean Strang
Motion carried.
The Warden then turned her chair over to the Deputy Warden in order
that she could address the matter.
After making her comments, the Warden resumed the Chair.
C.S.I. Causeway
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a copy of an
email received from MLA Sterling Belliveau regarding the C.S.I.
Causeway. Mr. Belliveau also provided copies of
correspondence back and forth between his office and the office of The
Honourable Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour.
The Municipal Clerk also informed members that correspondence has been
forwarded to Mr. Eric Hundert, Environment Canada, regarding the fecal
coliform tests which have been carried out in Barrington Bay and
Barrington Passage on the western side of Cape Sable Island. No
response to this letter has yet been received.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 11,
2008
After much discussion the following motion was made:
Resolution C080204
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by E. Nickerson that the above matter be
referred to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion.
Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
Second Annual Mini Log Run - FRA
In advance to the meeting each member of Council was provided with a
copy of a request received from Forest Ridge Academy. The
Principal of Forest Ridge Academy is requesting permission to hold
their Second Annual Mini Log Run fundraiser at the former Tourist
Bureau site in Barrington. This fundraiser will be held during
Lobster Festival. Mr. Smith has advised that the school has
applied for a certificate of insurance.
Resolution C080205
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by S. Strang that Forest Ridge
Academy be permitted to hold their Second Annual Mini Log Run
fundraiser, on June 7th, at the former Tourist Bureau site in
Barrington, subject to the required certificate of insurance being
provided.
Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden gave a brief report on her activities since the last meeting
of Council.
The Warden informed members that B.M.H.S. is looking for judges for the
upcoming science fair. Any councillor interested in participating
is asked to contact the Warden.
REPORT OF COUNCILLORS
Deputy Warden Nickerson
Deputy Warden Nickerson provided a brief report on a recent meeting of
the Woodland Multi-Use Trail Association. He informed members
that the Association will be traveling the former railway right of way
in Doctor’s Cove to Wood’s Harbour to carry out an
assessment of this section of abandoned railway. The Association
is requesting permission to travel on the Barrington Bay Trail in order
to gain access to this section of the right of way. They would
like to have permission to enter the Trail on the western end in the
Doctor’s Cove area.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 11,
2008
Resolution C080206
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by W. Smith that the Woodland
Multi-Use Trail Association be permitted to access the Barrington Bay
Trail on the western end, in the Doctor’s Cove area, to carry out
an assessment of the CNR right of way from Doctor’s Cove to the
county line.
Motion carried unanimously.
Councillor Sean Strang
Committee of the Whole Council
Returning Officer Applications
Resolution C080207
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that Catherine Clark be
hired as Returning Officer for the 2008 Municipal and School Board
Elections.
Motion carried unanimously.
Community Litter Clean-up Program
Resolution C080208
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that $10,000.00 be
included in the Municipal Budget for the fiscal year 2008/2009 for the
purpose of a Community Litter Clean-up Program and that this program
begin as soon as can be arranged by Municipal Staff.
Motion carried unanimously.
RM GREENWOOD Request
Resolution C080209
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality
rent the former telephone office building to RM GREENWOOD
TELECOMMUNICATIONS for the regular amount of rent for a period of one
year only.
AFFIRMATIVE
NEGATIVE
Louise Halliday
George El-Jakl
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger Sean Strang
Eddie Nickerson
Wilford Smith
Larry Stewart
Motion carried.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 11,
2008
Resolution C080210
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality
accept the antique switchboard that Mrs. Lillian Perry has found and
store it for a period of three years, after which, if it is not used,
it will revert back to Mrs. Perry for her use.
Motion carried unanimously.
UNSM Resolution Re: Insurance
Resolution C080211
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the following
proposed resolution for Municipal insurance coverage be forwarded to
the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities for consideration at the Fall
Conference.
WHEREAS all municipalities in the Province, together with all municipal
sponsored service providers such as volunteer fire departments, are
required to have adequate liability and other insurance coverages;
AND WHEREAS the cost of insurance premiums to provide adequate
protection to municipal taxpayers is a very significant cost to the
municipalities;
AND WHEREAS all municipalities wish to obtain the best value for their
taxpayers dollar:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities
complete a study of insurance coverages that will include:
1. Determining the total premiums
paid by all municipal units and their service providers such as
volunteer fire departments in the province for liability and other
insurance coverages.
2. An assessment be made of the
most cost efficient method of providing adequate insurance coverage for
municipalities within the province.
3. A recommendation be made to the
Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities for the best possible solution for
providing adequate insurance coverage across the province, which may
include the establishment of a municipally owned insurance company for
the purpose of self insuring, or the province wide tender of municipal
insurance coverages in order to obtain the best possible value for
municipal taxpayers.
Motion carried unanimously.
Tree in Honour of Veterans
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that an appropriate type of
tree be planted at the Library in Barrington Passage in honour of
veterans of the Municipality, and that a plaque also be installed
adjacent to this tree indicating the purpose for which it has been
planted.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 11,
2008
Resolution C080212
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by W. Smith that the above motion be
amended to include a tree planting ceremony and an invitation be
extended to Legion members to attend.
Motion carried unanimously.
The original motion as amended was then put to a vote and carried
unanimously.
South West Shore Development Authority Alternate Board Member
Resolution C080213
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that Deputy Warden
Nickerson remain as the alternate board member for the South West Shore
Development Authority Board of Directors.
Motion carried unanimously.
Tourism DVD
Resolution C080214
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that Municipal Staff
complete the promotional DVD and prepare it for subsequent release at a
cost not to exceed the amounts included in this years’ budget.
Motion carried unanimously.
Sherose Island Rest Stop
Resolution C080215
Moved by S. Strang and seconded D. Messenger that Municipal Staff
determine from the Department of Transportation whether or not access
is available for the location of a tourist rest stop along the Sherose
Island Road.
Motion carried unanimously.
Fire Chiefs Meeting
Resolution C080216
Moved by S. Strang and seconded L. Stewart that Municipal Staff
determine if it is advantageous to have all volunteer fire departments
dispatched through the Town of Yarmouth.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was noted that this request is being forwarded for information
purposes only.
Page 8, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 11,
2008
Resolution C080217
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality
accept the budget suggestion from the fire chiefs, and request all of
the volunteer fire departments to submit a budget not later than March
31, 2008 for the coming fiscal year.
Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that the request of the
fire chiefs regarding the provision of fire hydrants over the next
several years be referred to the budget process and that the fire
chiefs be requested to provide a list of fire hydrant requests.
Resolution C080218
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by L. Stewart that the above motion
be amended to require the list for fire hydrants to be indicated in
order of priority, and that the list be provided to Council prior to
March 31, 2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
The above motion as amended was then put to a vote and carried
unanimously.
Department of Transportation
Resolution C080219
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that correspondence be sent
to the Department of Transportation requesting that tree branches
hanging over the road on the Port LaTour Road after snow storms be
removed by the department.
Motion carried unanimously.
Community Grant Request
Resolution C080220
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the remaining
$3,700.00 in the District 5 Community Grants Fund be allocated to the
Stoney Island Community Club for the purpose of repairs to the cemetery.
Motion carried unanimously.
Clyde River Sign
Resolution C080221
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality
of Barrington install a stylized community identification sign at the
western end of Clyde River.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 9, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 11,
2008
Councillor Larry Stewart
No committees to report.
Councillor Wilford Smith
No committees to report.
Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Community Health Care Advisory Committee
Survey of Patients and Doctors
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by E. Nickerson that the
Municipality place a survey on the Municipal website and that a
promotional video of Dr. O’Connor also be placed on the website
for the purpose of attracting physicians to the area.
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by W. Smith that the above motion be
amended to ask Dr. O’Connor if he would be willing to participate
in a promotional video to be placed on the Municipal website.
Resolution C080223
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by W. Smith that the above motion be
amended to indicate that we commence with Dr. O’Connor.
Motion carried unanimously.
The amendment as amended was then put to a vote and carried.
The original motion as amended was then put to a vote and carried.
The approved motion now reads as follows:
Resolution C080224
“...that the Municipality place a survey on the Municipal website
and that a promotional video also be placed on the website for the
purpose of attracting physicians to the area and that the Municipality
commence with contacting Dr. O’Connor to determine if he would be
willing to participate in a promotional video to be placed on the
municipal website.”
Councillor George El-Jakl
No committees to report.
Page 10, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 11,
2008
NEW BUSINESS
Consideration of Fire Response and Emergency Services Policy #54
The Clerk informed members that notice was given at the last meeting of
Council that the consideration of the adoption of Policy #54,
“Fire Response and Emergency Services Policy” would be
considered tonight. The policy deals with mutual aid providers,
loan guarantees, grants and loans, requirements and procedures for
registration, insurance, etc.
Resolution C080225
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the Fire Response
and Emergency Services Policy, #54, be adopted as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
LETTER FROM PREMIER RE: TEAM SHELBURNE
Each member was provided with a copy of a letter received from the
Premier as a result of Team Shelburne County’s request for a
meeting with the Premier to clarify access by Team Shelburne County to
funds associated with the maintenance and sale of the former Youth
Centre property in Shelburne. The letter stated that the funds in
question are to be administered by the Authority as directed by members
of Team Shelburne County. These funds were to be used to
undertake economic development projects that would not be the normal
responsibility of the municipal unit in which the activity would
occur. The Premier offered the support of the Economic
Development Department to work with the RDA and Team Shelburne County
to identify the activities we wish to undertake to support the growth
of the local economy through use of the available funds.
The Warden informed members that this matter will be further discussed
by Team Shelburne at their upcoming meeting.
The Warden then turned the chair over to the Deputy Warden in order
that she could address the matter.
After making her comments, the Warden resumed the Chair.
AIMS SURVEY
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a copy of a
letter received from the President of the UNSM regarding the AIMS
Survey. The President advised that the AIMS “report
card” is something that is not being done at the request of UNSM
or with its assistance. The President advised that they do not
know the intent of the report, the methodology to be used, or the
format the final report will take. The letter advised that the
UNSM had not changed its position and do not support municipal
involvement in this survey. The final decision, however, is that
of the municipal unit. Municipal units planning to participate
have been requested to advise the UNSM Office.
It was the general consensus of Council members that the UNSM deal with
the AIMS request.
Page 11, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council,
February 11, 2008
CLOSED SESSION OF COUNCIL
At this time a Closed Session of Council was held to deal with a
potential legal matter.
The regular Council meeting was then called back to order.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by S. Strang that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
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