The meeting was called to order by the Warden at 7:00 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.
- Warden Louise Halliday
- Councillor George El-Jakl
- Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
- Councillor Wilford Smith
- Councillor Larry Stewart
- Councillor Sean Strang
- Deputy Warden Nickerson (7:03 p.m.)
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Stewart that the minutes of the last meeting held March 10, 2008 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Property Valuation Services Corporation
Tanis Sewald and Alain Doucette of Property Valuation Services Corporation appeared before Council to present an overview of Capped Assessment and Assessment.
Each member of Council was provided with a handout which provided a summary of assessment information explaining the process of property assessment, reviewed legislation relating to CAP, seasonal, tourism, and business occupancy phase out. The information circulated also provided clarification on some assessment terms, market value and mass appraisal and assessment standards. At the conclusion of the presentation, a question and answer period was held.
Ms. Sewald and Mr. Doucette were both thanked for appearing before Council and making their presentation.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, March 25, 2008
VON Clinic - Community Health Centre
At the request of Council, Josephine Blynn and Sue Hennigar of VON appeared before the meeting. They informed members that the VON applied to the District Health Authority last year for funding to provide a Walk-In Clinic at the Community Health Centre located in Barrington Passage. Funding was provided in the amount of $15,000.00. The Walk-In Clinic was held on Wednesdays from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. A registered nurse was on site. Services provided at the clinic were as follows:
- giving injections
- B12 shots
- needles
- blood pressure
- reinforced teaching
- checks after surgery
- assessed situations
Funding was reapplied for the 2008/2009 fiscal year but was denied. The last day for this service at the Community Health Centre will be tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26, 2008.
During discussion of this clinic it was noted that the clinic served 243 clients during the past year and it was suggested that the closure of this clinic will create hardship for some of its clients. This was a very important service that was provided to residents of the area.
Resolution C080328
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by W. Smith that a letter be written to the Branch Director of VON expressing the Municipality’s interest in having the clinic resumed, and that a letter also be forwarded to South West Health expressing our concerns over the hardship the closure of this clinic will cause some of its clients, and request that the clinic be resumed at the Community Health Centre.
Motion carried unanimously.
Josephine Blynn and Sue Hennigar were both thanked for appearing before Council and making their presentation.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Model Volunteer Community Nomination
The Clerk informed members that the Recreation Director unfortunately was unable to complete the Model Volunteer Community Nomination form due to time constraints. This application will be pursued next year.
Barrington Passage Post Office
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a copy of a letter received from Greg Newell of the Department of Transportation regarding our inquiry concerning the parking problem in front of the Post Office in Barrington Passage. Mr. Newell advised that the green space immediately in front of the Post Office is currently at a minimum width, and it is not possible to eliminate it. The curb can be set back at this location but both the grass boulevard and the sidewalk must be moved back by the same amount as the curb. He has suggested that the grass boulevard could be reduced to one meter in width, if desired, in front of the CIBC.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, March 25, 2008
The Clerk also informed members that he has been in telephone conversation with Arthur Dewan who is the new local Area Manager for Canada Post. Mr. Dewan has advised that he has been working with Property Management to have signs installed indicating that parking is available behind the building.
Port Clyde Volunteer Fire Department
The Clerk informed members that the Port Clyde Volunteer Fire Department previously received approval for a loan of $210,000.00 for the purchase of a new fire truck. Members of the Port Clyde Volunteer Fire Department traveled to Georgia where they were successful in purchasing a fire truck for the amount of $182,000.00, which was a savings of $28,000.00.
V.I.C. Relocation
The Clerk informed members that correspondence has been received from the Department of Transportation regarding access to the Oak Park connector in Barrington. The Department has advised that they will permit one access location on each side of the connector located approximately at the mid point from Highway 103 and the Oak Park Road. Any lot wishing to gain access to the connector will be required to use this access. Access to the Information Centre can be obtained from this access location, however, a driveway or service road will need to be constructed from the mid point access to the proposed site of the V.I.C.
It was agreed that this matter be further discussed in Closed Session.
D.O.T. Traffic Count
Council’s interest in knowing the traffic count coming into Barrington by way of exits 29 and 30, and the number of vehicles bypassing Barrington was discussed with Lester Hanley of the Department of Transportation. Mr. Hanley has advised that in order to obtain the information requested, five traffic counts would have to be conducted at a cost of $350.00 each. Next year the Department of Transportation will be carrying out counts on Highway 103, therefore if Council is willing to wait until next year, the Municipality would only be responsible to pay for the two traffic counts carried out on the connectors.
Resolution C080329
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Strang that the Municipality carry out traffic counts on the connectors coming into Barrington at the same time as the Department of Transportation is carrying out counts on Highway 103 in the Barrington area.
Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
Proclamation - Hepatitis C Awareness Month
The Warden informed members that information has been received from the Hepatitis Outreach Society of Nova Scotia requesting Council to proclaim May as Hepatitis C Awareness Month.
The proclamation provided was read by the Warden, and there being no objection received, the Warden declared May 2008 as Hepatitis C Awareness Month, and May 1, 2008 as Hepatitis C Awareness Day in the Municipality of Barrington.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, March 25, 2008
South Shore Labour Council
The Warden informed members that correspondence has been received from the South Shore Labour Council advising that April 28th has been declared the “National Day of Mourning” in our country, and requested Council to lower its flag to half mast on this day to respect those workers who lost their lives or were badly/seriously injured at their workplaces.
It was agreed that the Municipal flag be lowered to half mast on April 28, 2008.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden informed members that she has no report to make at this time.
REPORT OF COUNCILLORS
Councillor George El-Jakl
No committees to report.
Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
No committees to report.
Councillor Wilford Smith
No committees to report.
Councillor Larry Stewart
No committees to report.
Councillor Sean Strang
Committee of the Whole
Barrington Municipal Exhibition Grant Request
Resolution C080330
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that Community Grants in the amount of $500.00 from District 3 and $500.00 from District 7 be provided to the Barrington Municipal Exhibition.
Motion carried unanimously.
Group Insurance
Resolution C080331
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality renew the employee group insurance program for the coming year through Morneau Sobeco and Blue Cross.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, March 25, 2008
Switchboard
Resolution C080332
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality obtain the antique switchboard from Telephone Pioneers Organization and display it at the Visitor Information Centre.
Motion carried unanimously.
Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson
No committees to report.
REPORT OF CLERK-TREASURER
The Clerk informed members that his report will be presented at the next meeting of Council.
CONTINUATION OF NEW BUSINESS
Wood’s Harbour Sidewalk - Tenders
The Clerk informed members that only one tender was received for the Wood’s Harbour Sidewalk construction. That tender was opened by the Warden and was received from Garian Construction Ltd., in the amount of $600,000.00, plus H.S.T.
As a result of the addendum issued, the tendered price of $600,000.00 was reduced by $38,300.00, resulting in a total tender price of $561,700.00.
During discussion of this matter it was noted that the amount budgeted for this section of the project was $475,000.00. Since the sidewalk tender was $561,700.00, it was suggested by the Clerk that the tender be referred to the engineers for review and recommendations.
Resolution C080333
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by E. Nickerson that the tender received from Garian Construction Ltd., in the amount of $561,700.00, be referred to the engineers for review and recommendation to the Committee of the Whole.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
George El-Jakl Sean Strang
Louise Halliday
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Eddie Nickerson
Wilford Smith
Larry Stewart
Motion carried.
Legal Services - Tenders
The Clerk informed members that only one tender was received for legal services for the next five year period. The tender received was from Donald G. Harding.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, March 25, 2008
Resolution C080334
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Messenger that the tender received from Donald G. Harding for legal services for the next five year period be accepted.
Motion carried unanimously.
Cost of Living Adjustment
The Clerk informed members that in accordance with the Personnel Policy, and Policy No. 8, Council shall annually, not later than the end of March, determine whether a Cost of Living Adjustment based on the National Consumer Price Index is to be granted. The Consumer Price Index as at the end of February 2008 was 1.8 percent.
Resolution C080335
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by D. Messenger that staff salaries and councils remunerations be increased by the Consumer Price Index of 1.8 percent, effective April 1, 2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
Request for Grant - Villagedale Cemetery
The Clerk informed members that a grant application has been received from the Villagedale Cemetery requesting a grant in the amount of $2,000.00 to assist with the cost of completing the installation of a fence around the cemetery.
Resolution C080336
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by W. Smith that the Villagedale Cemetery be provided a grant in the amount of $750.00 from the District 3 Community Grants Fund to be applied towards the cost of completing the installation of a fence around the cemetery.
Motion carried unanimously.
Request for Grant - Port Clyde Cemetery
It was reported that an application has been received from the Port Clyde Cemetery for a grant in the amount of $1,500.00 to assist with the cost to provide fill in between the old section and the new section of the cemetery.
Resolution C080337
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by S. Strang that $1,500.00 be provided to the Port Clyde Cemetery from the District 4 Community Grants Fund to assist with cemetery maintenance as outlined in their application.
Motion carried unanimously.
Request for Grant - White Lily Cemetery
The Deputy Warden informed members that he had received a grant application from White Lily Cemetery requesting funding in the amount of $2,500.00 to assist with the cost of installing a fence around the cemetery.
There was no financial statement provided.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, March 25, 2008
Resolution C080338
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by L. Stewart that $1,650.00 be provided to the White Lily Cemetery from the District 7 Community Grants Fund for the purpose of installing a fence around the cemetery.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Deputy Warden agreed to obtain a copy of the bank statement.
CLOSED SESSION OF COUNCIL
At this time a Closed Session of Council was held to deal with a possible legal matter and personnel matter.
The Regular Council Meeting was then called back to order.
REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Resolution C080339
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by S. Strang that Rodney Shand be granted a leave of absence for up to one year due to illness, effective today, March 25, 2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to be dealt with, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
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