The meeting was called to order by the Warden at 7:00 p.m.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
A moment of silence was observed by members.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk reported that all councillors representing all districts of the Municipality were present:
- Warden Louise Halliday
- Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson
- Councillor George El-Jakl
- Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
- Councillor Wilford Smith
- Councillor Larry Stewart
- Councillor Sean Strang
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
The Warden informed members that it is necessary to add the following item to the agenda:
- South West Shore Volunteer Services Funding Request.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the minutes of the last meeting of Council held May 12, 2008 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Brass Hill Playground
Andrew Huskilson-Newell, Kim Kane and Peggy Swimm appeared before the meeting and requested Council to put in place a 3 year plan to clean up the playground in the Brass Hill subdivision, buy new equipment, and be responsible for the ongoing and future maintenance and insurance of the playground.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 26, 2008
Council members were provided with a copy of a letter from David Cleaver in support of the revitalization of the playground. A petition was also presented to Council containing 78 signatures of residents of Brass Hill and surrounding area supporting the revitalization of the playground.
During discussion of this matter it was noted that there is currently an open pond on the playground property which has been used for skating in the past.
Resolution C080512
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by W. Smith that Municipal Staff clean up the playground area and address concerns of the open pond.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution C080513
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by D. Messenger that the Brass Hill Playground Group be requested to draft a three year revitalization plan for the playground, outlining requested equipment and cost, and that this information be forwarded to staff for consideration of councillors.
Motion carried unanimously.
Councillor LeBlanc-Messenger requested to be present when the site is visited by staff and members of the Brass Hill Playground Group.
EHS Staffing
Wayne Lemoine, EHS Area Supervisor; Jeff Fraser, Manager, Medical Communications Centre; and Tim Bayers, Regional Manager, appeared before Council to provide information on EHS staffing.
Members were informed of Nova Scotia’s ambulance system. The system uses system status planning which allows the deployment of units as the demand in the system changes. Units assigned to Wood’s Harbour and Barrington are not assigned for coverage of those areas exclusively. The demand on the system at any given time affects the posting of both the Wood’s Harbour and Barrington units. When units are out of their assigned areas other units are called in to provide coverage to those areas in need. Units are constantly shifted to provide the best coverage area based on demand. The deployment of units and coverage areas were discussed at length. Members were informed that future concerns could be directed to Wayne Lemoine, Area Supervisor.
Information provided was felt to be very beneficial and members of the Emergency Health Services were thanked for appearing before Council and making their presentation.
Annual Service for Fire Trucks
The Clerk informed members that Request for Proposals were invited for the Fire Truck Annual Service Program.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 26, 2008
The Warden informed members that three proposals had been received which were from the following:
- G. LeBlanc Fire Truck Repair Ltd., Notre Dame, NB
- Bernie Kett Fire Truck Specialist, Centreville, New Brunswick
- Allain Equipment Manufacturing Ltd., Notre Dame, NB
Resolution C080514
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by E. Nickerson that the request for proposals be referred to the fire chiefs for evaluation and recommendation back to Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Cusk
The Clerk informed members that three letters have been received as a result of the letters we wrote concerning cusk being added to the list of wildlife species at risk. The Municipality of Chester has advised that no action was taken regarding the matter, however, the information provided has been placed in the information display in the main foyer of the Administration Building.
The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has acknowledged our correspondence and has assured us that the potential economic impacts of listing cusk on the fishing industry will be considered before any listing decision is made.
The letter received from the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture advised that his department has been, and continues to be, an active participant in the consultive process concerning the listing of cusk, realizing the economic hardship a threatened label could bring to Nova Scotia’s fishery.
He provided assurance that his department will continue to participate in the listing process calling for such far reaching decisions to be based on sound science, economic implications and realistic management options.
Resolution C080515
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by W. Smith that the above correspondence be forwarded to Mr. Maurice Shand, Shag Harbour for his information.
Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
S.W.S.D.A. Volunteer Services
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with correspondence received from Mr. Frank Anderson of the South West Shore Development Authority. Mr. Anderson is requesting $4,712.00 from the Municipality for the S.W.S. Volunteer Services Coordinator Program.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 26, 2008
Resolution C080516
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by S. Strang that the request from the South West Shore Development Authority for funding for the Volunteer Services Coordinator Program for the upcoming fiscal year be referred to the budget process.
Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden gave a brief report on her activities since the last meeting of Council.
REPORT OF COUNCILLORS
Councillor Wilford Smith
No committees to report.
Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Councillor Messenger provided a report outlining her activities since the last meeting of Council.
Councillor George El-Jakl
Councillor El-Jakl provided a brief report on his activities since the last meeting of Council.
Councillor Larry Stewart
Councillor Stewart provided a brief report on his activities since the last meeting of Council.
Councillor Sean Strang
Committee of the Whole Council
B.M.H.S. Traffic Concerns
Resolution C080517
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that a letter be sent to the School Advisory Committee for B.M.H.S. explaining the concerns of local residents in regards to parking along the side of the road in Oak Park ,and the loitering and vandalism problems that are arising as a result, and that possible suggestions be made to the S.A.C. for resolving these problems and the letter be copied to the Tri-County Regional School Board.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 26, 2008
Plaques for the Visitor Information Centre and Curling Club
Resolution C080518
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality purchase plaques for the Visitor Information Centre and the Barrington Regional Curling Club recognizing councils of the day who had these municipal facilities constructed.
Motion carried unanimously.
Request for Pasture Land
Resolution C080519
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality lease municipal land at Christie’s Point for the purpose of pasturing two oxen owned by Robert Jackson Sr., at a cost of $100.00 per year, for a five year term.
Motion carried unanimously.
Annapolis Road Meeting
Resolution C080520
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality of Shelburne be informed that Barrington Municipal Council is not interested in this project at this time.
Motion carried unanimously.
Department of Transportation
Resolution C080521
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that the Department of Transportation be asked to grade the Lighthouse Road at Baccaro Point, and place 2 or 3 loads of gravel on the road where necessary.
Motion carried unanimously.
Lieutenant Governor’s Award
Resolution C080522
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that the expenses of the Warden to attend the Lieutenant Governor’s Award Ceremony be paid by the Municipality.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 26, 2008
Warden’s Invitations
It was noted that the Warden had been invited to attend the following events:
- Lobster Festival Opening.
- Nova Scotia Community College Graduation.
- Roseway Hospital Rehab Centre Official Opening.
- Discover Shelburne County Tourism Association Meeting, June 5, 2008 at the Municipality of Shelburne.
Resolution C080523
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that the expenses of the Warden or her alternate to attend the above listed events be paid by the Municipality.
Motion carried unanimously.
Ted Atwood Request
Resolution C080524
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the Municipality provide a Quit Claim Deed to Mr. Ted Atwood, at his expense, as requested for the property owned by him adjacent to his house on the Oak Park Road.
Motion carried unanimously.
Digby Ferry
Resolution C080525
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that information on the Digby to Saint John ferry service be forwarded to Nathan Blades to provide him the information on the progress in the situation to date.
Motion carried unanimously.
Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson
Deputy Warden Nickerson gave a brief report on his activities since the last meeting of Council.
REPORT OF CLERK-TREASURER
The Clerk-Treasurer gave a brief report on activities during the month of April.
Cape Sable Historical Society
The Clerk informed members that he just received a letter from the Manager of the Cape Sable Historical Society which advised that they did not receive any funding this year to hire a student guide at the Seal Island Light Museum. The Society is requesting that each Council member consider giving a portion of his district allotment to cover the shortfall of $5,000.00.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 26, 2008
Resolution C080526
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Messenger that the request from the Cape Sable Historical Society for funding be referred to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was agreed that a copy of the letter from the Cape Sable Historical Society be forwarded to all council members in advance to the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
CONTINUATION OF NEW BUSINESS
Recreation Department Policy #12
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with proposed amendments to Recreation Department Policy No. 12. The most significant change is that anniversaries, baby/wedding showers, and similar non alcoholic events, will be treated the same as birthday parties, and individuals wishing to use the facilities for these types of events will be charged a rate of $25.00, plus H.S.T.
Members are given notice this evening that the proposed policy amendments will be considered at the next subsequent meeting of Council.
Interim Tax Billing Policy
At the last meeting of Council notice was given to members that consideration will be given tonight to the adoption of an Interim Tax Billing Policy. The policy provides that the first tax bill will be mailed on or about April 1 of each year with a due date of May 15th. The first tax bill will be approximately 50% of the previous years total tax bill. The second tax bill will be based on the current years assessment tax rate, sewer service charges, etc. This bill will be mailed on or about October 1st and interest will begin on November 15th. The second tax bill will be the official tax bill for the year and will show payments made as a result of the first tax bill issued in April. This policy will be put in place April 1, 2009.
Resolution C080527
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Stewart that the proposed Interim Tax Billing Policy be adopted by Council.
AFFIRMATIVE
George El-Jakl
Louise Halliday
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Eddie Nickerson
Wilford Smith
Larry Stewart
NEGATIVE
Sean Strang
Motion carried.
Page 8, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 26, 2008
Code of Conduct
The Clerk informed members that previously Council had asked that he contact the UNSM to determine the origin of the Code of Conduct being proposed. Correspondence has now been received from Mr. Ken Simpson, Executive Director, UNSM, advising that the Code of Conduct was developed by a committee of UNSM Board Members working with staff.
No further action was taken on this matter.
LFA 34 Meeting
The Clerk informed members that Ian Marshall of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has advised that a meeting of the Advisory Committee will be held on June 19, 2008 at the Saint Ambrose Church in Yarmouth and will include discussion of the scallop fishery. This meeting will commence at 9:30 a.m.
Heritage Project
The Clerk informed members that previously they had agreed to enter into an agreement with Heritage Canada to have Trudy Atkinson complete heritage records for the registration of properties in the Municipality. Due to time constraints and interest expressed by the Cape Sable Historical Society, it is now being recommended that the Society be engaged to complete a portion of the data entry forms.
Resolution C080528
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by W. Smith that the Cape Sable Historical Society be engaged to complete a portion of the data entry forms for the heritage project.
Motion carried unanimously.
C.S.I. Sewer Project Manager
The Clerk informed members that the C.S.I. Sewer Steering Committee has met and has reviewed requests for proposals for Project Manager.
It is the recommendation of the Committee that CBCL Ltd. be appointed Project Manager for the C.S.I. Sewer Project.
Resolution C080529
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by S. Strang that CBCL Ltd. be appointed Project Manager for the C.S.I. Sewer Project.
Motion carried unanimously.
The next meeting of the committee will be held June 6th, at 11:00 a.m.
Page 9, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, May 26, 2008
S.W.S.D.A. Grant Request
Correspondence has been received from the South West Shore Development Authority advising that while they await approval from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Affairs with respect to the issue of increasing municipal guarantees, they are requesting that the Municipality of Barrington provide the Authority with a repayable grant in the amount of $14,700.00.
Resolution C080530
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the Municipality approve a one time repayable grant to the South West Shore Development Authority in the amount of $14,700.00.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Warden turned her chair over to the Deputy Warden in order that she could address this matter.
After making her comments, she resumed the Chair.
CLOSED SESSION OF COUNCIL
At this time a Closed Session of Council was held to deal with personnel matters.
The Regular Council Meeting was called back to order.
Yearly Increment - Laura Lee Greenwood
Resolution C080531
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by W. Smith that Laura Lee Greenwood be granted her yearly increment after having received a satisfactory performance evaluation.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Strang that there being no further business to be dealt with that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 p.m.
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