The meeting was called to order by the Warden at 7:00 p.m. with the following members present:
- Warden Sterling Belliveau
- Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson (7:03 p.m.)
- Councillor Angus Atkinson
- Councillor Louise Halliday
- Councillor Dwayne Hunt
- Councillor Wayne Smith
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
Absent was Councillor Fred Bower due to illness.
ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE
One minute of silence was held in memory of Mrs. Bessie Pinkham who recently passed away. Mrs. Pinkham served four (4) consecutive terms on the Barrington Municipal Council commencing 1973. She continued to serve on the Municipal Board of Health until 1991.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
The Warden reported that it is necessary to add the following item to the agenda:
- Concerned Parents Group Re: B.M.H.S. - 7:45 p.m.
It was also agreed that the Tobeatic Advisory Group listed under "Correspondence" be deleted from the agenda since this matter was dealt with by the Public Works Committee.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the minutes of the last meeting held March 27, 2002 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the minutes of the Special Meeting of Council held on April 8, 2002 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Diversion Credits
The Clerk informed members that a letter has been received from Waste Check which advised that our request for diversion credits has been tabled until such time as the issue of diversion credits has been settled with the Town of Yarmouth.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Council, April 10, 2002
Transportation Equalization Payments
The Clerk reported that a letter has also been received from Waste Check regarding our request for continued transportation equalization payments. The letter advised that our request was denied because payments are funded by the contributions of the participating municipal units and any municipal unit that does not contribute is not eligible for these payments.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Halliday that the matters of diversion credits and transportation equalization payments be added to a future Public Works agenda for further discussion.
Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
Kilometer Markers
A letter has been received from the Department of Transportation and Public Works which advised that our request for kilometer markers has been forwarded to the Provincial Traffic Authority's Office for consideration.
Emergency Preparedness Week
The Clerk reported that "Emergency Preparedness Week" will be held May 6 - 12, 2002.
Library Board Conference
A request has been received from the Western Counties Regional Library for a donation of $50.00 to assist with the cost of refreshments during the N.S. Library Boards Conference.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the Municipality donate $50.00 to the Western Counties Regional Library for conference refreshments.
Motion carried.
Tobacco Strategy Working Group
The Clerk reported that a letter has been received from the South West District Health Authority which requested a council representative to attend the Tobacco Strategy Working Groups next meeting which is scheduled to be held on April 22, 2002 at 1:00 p.m., at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by E. Nickerson that Council send a representative to this meeting.
Motion carried.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Council, April 10, 2002
Provincial - Municipal Transfers
A letter has been received from Service Nova Scotia & Municipal Relations regarding the impact of recently announced changes in Provincial-Municipal Transfers and the taxation of Nova Scotia Power Incorporated. It is estimated that the total increase/decrease to the Municipality of Barrington will be nil.
Queen's Golden Jubilee
A guide has been received from Canadian Heritage which outlines suggested events and activities to be held in recognition of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth.
The Clerk informed members that the publication will be kept in the office for viewing by councillors and public.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Mrs. Marjory Weeks acted as spokesperson for the Friends of the Library Group. Information was circulated to members outlining Library activities, quick facts about the Library, as well as a comparison of the minimum provincial standard and the present facility. The present facility falls far below the minimum provincial standard in size, accessability, fire/security requirements, parking, seating, electrical, etc.
The Clerk reported that an application was made to the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Works Program in January 2001. To date no word has been received on this application.
Mrs. Weeks informed Council that the group would like to work with them to establish a Library to meet the needs of the residents of the Municipality of Barrington.
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by D. Hunt that the Municipal Council support, in principle, the establishment of a new library as requested by the Friends of the Library Group.
Motion carried.
It was agreed that this matter be placed on the upcoming Finance agenda for discussion and that the Friends of the Library Group be requested to submit their comments and ideas to the Municipal Clerk prior to the Finance Meeting to be held on Monday, April 15, 2002.
PRESENTATION RE: B.M.H.S. SCHOOL CLOSURE
Mrs. Shelly Nickerson, concerned parent, appeared before the meeting and made a presentation to Council regarding the rash outbreak at B.M.H.S. and the school closure. To date the cause of the rash has not been identified. Clean-up attempts have been made at the school without success. Homework packages have been prepared for students. Parents feel that this course of action is unacceptable and that students need to be in a classroom sitting with a teacher before them providing the lesson.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Council, April 10, 2002
In closing, Mrs. Nickerson requested Council to support their stand to immediately return their children to a safe school to continue their education. Mrs. Nickerson requested that Council's support be forwarded to the following:
- Chief Executive Officer of South West Regional School Board - Leroy Legere
- Phil Landry
- Steven Stoddart
- Minister of Education, Jane Purves
- Minister of Health, Jamie Muir
- Department of Health
- Department of Environment
- Dr. Rand
- Dr. Gould
- MLA Cecil O'Donnell
- MP Gerald Keddy
The Warden informed members that he attended a meeting on April 4, 2002 regarding the health concerns at B.M.H.S. This meeting was attended by parents, School and School Board Officials. The number one priority of the meeting was the health and safety of students and staff and to put in place an action plan to ensure students do not lose the school year.
The Warden further advised that a public meeting is scheduled to be held on April 12, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. The exact location of the meeting is unknown at the present time. It is anticipated that its location will be announced tomorrow.
Mrs. Nickerson was then thanked for appearing before Council and expressing her concerns.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that Council send letters to the appropriate departments expressing Council's concern over the current health issues at B.M.H.S. and request that students be placed in a safe environment to carry out their studies.
Motion carried.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden gave a brief report on his activities since the last meeting of Council.
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS
Public Works and Property Committee
Solid Waste at Goose Lake
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Halliday that Municipal staff investigate alternative avenues of collecting waste at Goose Lake and Sebim Beach and determine an estimated cost of these alternatives.
Motion carried.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Council, April 10, 2002
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Hunt that the Municipal Clerk present a monthly report on waste collection at Goose Lake, to Council.
Motion carried.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Hunt that notices be sent to all Goose Lake residents indicating the present system of waste collection at Goose Lake.
Motion carried.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by A. Atkinson that the Municipality block access roads from Goose Lake to the C & D Landfill Site with large rocks.
There being a tie vote the motion was declared lost.
Model of the "CAT"
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by E. Nickerson that Municipal staff contact the Cape Sable Historical Society to determine if they are interested in displaying a model of the "CAT" constructed by Mr. Newton Nickerson in the Seal Island Lighthouse Museum, until the model can be displayed by the Municipality in the new Visitor Information Centre, when it is constructed. The Municipality will also contact Bay Ferries regarding the use of its logo on this model.
Motion carried.
Soil Contamination on Federal Property in Baccaro
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Hunt that the Municipality write the Federal Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada requesting the following information:
1. What contamination is present on the former Loran property and GATR properties in Baccaro?
2. What corrective actions are being taken by the Federal Government to remediate the properties?
3. Is any action being taken to check adjacent properties to determine if the contamination has spread to them?
Motion carried.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Hunt that the Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officer be requested to investigate the Federal Government properties in Baccaro under the Unsightly Premises Sections of the Municipal Government Act and to make a report, as required, and that the Municipality take whatever action is required to have the owners clean up the properties.
Motion carried.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Council, April 10, 2002
Unsightly Premises
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Hunt that the By-Law Enforcement Officer investigate a property in Centreville believed to be owned by Gary Smith and leased to Mr. Jim Swim under the Unsightly Premises Sections of the Municipal Government Act.
Motion carried.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Hunt that the Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officer investigate the Victoria Hotel/Motel property in Barrington Passage under the provisions of the Unsightly Premises sections of the Municipal Government Act.
Motion carried.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Hunt that the Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officer investigate a property believed to be owned by Mr. Wylie Blades in Newellton, sometimes referred to as the "Old Newellton Store", under the Unsightly Premises sections of the Municipal Government Act.
Motion carried.
S.S.T. Committee
Councillor Atkinson reported on a meeting of the S.S.T. Committee regarding the retrofit of the high school. Tenders have been called and a consultant has been selected. The committee will meet again on May 8, 2002.
SUMMARY OFFENCE TICKET ENFORCEMENT POLICY
Notice was given at the last meeting of Council that consideration of the adoption of the Summary Offence Ticket Enforcement Policy will be given at tonight's meeting.
The policy permits the issuance of tickets for offences in violation of certain sections of By-Law No.8 "Collection, Storage and Disposal of Waste", By-Law No. 11, "Animals" and By-Law No. 12, "Dogs".
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Halliday that the Summary Offence Ticket Enforcement Policy be approved as presented.
Motion carried.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE 11:03 - PERSONNEL POLICY
Notice was given at the last meeting of Council that consideration of amendments to Article 11:03 of the Personnel Policy will be carried out tonight. It is proposed that Article 11:03 be amended to more clearly outline positions entitled to overtime hours.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Council, April 10, 2002
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by A. Atkinson that Article 11:03 of the Personnel Policy be amended as follows:
Article 11:03
Employees, holding the following positions, who are required to work overtime shall be entitled to equal time off for overtime hours worked during regularly scheduled work days. All overtime hours worked on regularly scheduled days off shall be calculated at one and one half times. See individual job descriptions for required hours of work.
- Deputy Clerk
- Accountant
- Tax Clerk
- Municipal Office Secretary
- Building Inspector
- Secretary to Building Inspector
- Ice Maker
- Arena Attendant
- Supervisor of Public Works and Property
- Public Works Assistant
- C. & D. Landfill Attendant
- Janitor
Motion carried.
GRASS MOWING TENDER
The Clerk reported that a notice was placed in the Coast Guard Newspaper on March 26th and April 2nd, 2002 inviting tenders for the provision of grass mowing at municipally owned properties. Deadline for tenders was tonight at 7:00 p.m. Five (5) tenders were received. Tenders were opened and reported by the Warden:
1. Jonathan K. Moules, R.R.#2 Shelburne
2. John's Yard Care, Port Saxon
3. Green Flamingo Landscaping, Shelburne
4. Jared Browne, R.R.#1 Barrington
5. Western Landscaping, Yarmouth
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by L. Halliday that Municipal staff compile a summary of the tenders received and present the information to the Finance Committee for consideration. The estimated cost for mowing if carried out by the Public Works Department is also to be presented at that meeting.
Motion carried.
Page 8, Regular Meeting of Council, April 10, 2002
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by D. Hunt that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
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