MOMENT OF SILENCE
It was noted that 2005 has been declared "Year of the Veteran".
A moment of silence was held in memory of war veteran Oscar Crowell who recently passed away.
ROLL CALL
The Clerk reported that all councillors representing all districts of the Municipality were present:
- Warden Sterling Belliveau
- Deputy Warden Fred Bower
- Councillor Louise Halliday
- Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
- Councillor Eddie Nickerson
- Councillor Larry Stewart
- Councillor Sean Strang
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the minutes of the last meeting held March 28, 2005 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
R.C.M.P. Officer
The Clerk informed members that a letter has been received from Inspector Ruth McLea of the R.C.M.P. regarding the concern expressed by Council that a member of the Barrington R.C.M.P. Detachment has been on medical leave for an extended period of time without any replacement being provided. Inspector McLea advised that the member has been experiencing some medical difficulties and has been working intermittently over the past two years. It is anticipated that he will be well enough to return to work in the very near future. She further advised that the Barrington Commander and his officers have been able to cover the members absence over the past months ensuring that Barrington receives the required service level. An additional Detachment Assistant has been assigned to the Barrington Detachment for the past two months and will continue to work there for the next couple of months assisting on operational support matters. This service is being provided to the Municipality at no extra cost.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, April 11, 2005
Improvement to Roads
The Clerk informed members that a copy of a letter has been received from The Honourable Ronald S. Russell addressed to the Municipal Clerk for the Municipality of Shelburne. The letter advised that the Department of Transportation and Public Works continues to upgrade streets and roads located throughout the Province including the Barrington By-Pass.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
The Warden informed members that it is necessary to add the following two (2) items to the agenda:
- Correspondence:
- Letter Re: Clark's Harbour School
- South Shore Tourist Association
CORRESPONDENCE
Recreation Nova Scotia
The Clerk informed members that information has been received from Recreation Nova Scotia requesting Council to proclaim June as Recreation Month in the Municipality of Barrington.
There being no opposition to this request the Warden declared June as Recreation Month in the Municipality of Barrington.
Tsunami Relief
A letter has been received from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities thanking the Municipal Council for its generous donation to support the relief and reconstruction efforts following the tsunami that struck Asia and Africa.
Riverside Park
It was reported that a letter has been received from Lillian Scott-Perry advising that the old Homer property to the entrance to Petticoat Lane includes the former Riverside Park. The park was situated behind the house where the land extends into the river. Although the park was located on private land it was available to interested persons for walking and enjoying the surroundings. Mrs. Scott-Perry is suggesting that the property be re-designated as a park forming an important part of the heritage area.
Resolution C050401
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipal Clerk obtain additional information on this park and that the matter be further discussed by the Committee of the Whole.
Motion carried unanimously.
Atlantic Immigration Conference
Information has been received that the Atlantic Immigration Conference will be held at Pier 21, in Halifax, from May 15 - 17, 2005.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, April 11, 2005
Multiculturalism
It was reported that information has been received from the Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia requesting an opportunity for members to meet with Council about furthering multiculturalism in our community.
Resolution C050402
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Halliday that the request from the Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia be referred to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Letter Re: Clark's Harbour School
It was reported that a letter has been received from the Department of Education advising that any statements, or even discussions at Caucus, as to the possible closure of Clark's Harbour Elementary School are premature at this time as the Education Act and the regulations under the Act specifically spell out the procedures to be followed when a School Board wishes to consider the permanent closure of a school. Assurance was provided that a School Board will not be permitted to close any school unless those procedures have been followed to the letter of the law. The regulations provide ample opportunity to any concerned parents or others to address any concerns before a decision is made. The letter further advised that the decision to permanently close a school rests solely with the Regional School Board and not the Minister or the government.
Resolution C050403
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by F. Bower that the Municipal Clerk determine whether the Concerned Parents Group has received information from the Department of Education, and if not, a copy of the letter from the Minister of Education be forwarded to them.
Motion carried unanimously.
South Shore Tourist Association
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a proposed resolution to amalgamate the South Shore Tourism Association and the Yarmouth County Tourism Association. It is suggested that the new body be named "South Shore and Yarmouth Tourism Association". It was felt that this may be an indication of how the association will be run with Yarmouth's concerns being more significant than other members participating in the association.
Resolution C050404
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by L. Stewart that the concerns noted above be made known to Diane Smith, V.I.C. Manager, and that she take these concerns to the Annual General Meeting to the held on April 21, 2005.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, April 11, 2005
Resolution C050405
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by L. Stewart that the Director of the South Shore Tourism Association be invited to attend the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT OF WARDEN
No outside meetings were held since the last meeting of Council.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee of the Whole
Barrington Municipal High School
Resolution C050406
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that a letter be sent to the Department of Education requesting that the environmental reports and assessments done at Barrington Municipal High School be made available to the Municipality.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution C050407
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that a letter be sent to Mr. Phil Landry at the Tri- County Regional School Board requesting a date at which the School Board will turn over the current Barrington Municipal High School property to the Municipality.
Motion carried unanimously.
Sea Star Ice Dogs Request
Resolution C050408
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality respond to the Sea Star Ice Dogs request by indicating to them that it is not the practice of the Municipality to fund trips by sports teams for various provincial competitions or inter-provincial competitions, and also to offer congratulations of Council on their winning of the Maritime and Northern Junior "C" Hockey Championships which they won during the previous weekend.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, April 11, 2005
Cape Sable Historical Society - Old Court House
Resolution C050409
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality draft an agreement for a five (5) year renewable term including the renovations to be done to the interior of the Old Court House at Municipal expense, and that this agreement be reviewed by the Municipal Solicitor and then forwarded to the Cape Sable Historical Society for the purpose of having the Society operate a museum out of the Old Court House building.
Motion carried unanimously.
Community Clean-up Program
Resolution C050410
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Municipality include $15,000 in the 2005/2006 Operating Budget for the Community Litter Clean-up Program and that the rate paid for clean-up be changed to $100 per kilometer.
Motion carried unanimously.
S.P.C.A. Contract
Resolution C050411
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Municipality of Shelburne be contacted regarding the Beulah Burman Animal Shelter operation, and the feasibility of using that operation by the Municipality of Barrington prior to renewing the contract with the Yarmouth S.P.C.A.
Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting with District Health Authority
Resolution C050412
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Halliday that Councillor Messenger attend the meeting with the South West District Health Authority on April 26, 2005 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital, and that her expenses related to this meeting be approved for payment by the Municipality.
Motion carried unanimously.
Conflict of Interest
Councillor Messenger declared conflict of interest, vacated her seat and proceeded to the spectator area. Councillor Messenger is an employee of Wilson's Shopping Centre.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, April 11, 2005
Arena Rental
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Municipality rent the Arena to Nothin' Fancy for the required time and event at the regular approved rental rate of $500 per day, payable in advance.
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by L. Stewart that the above motion be amended to provide one day to set up and one day to take down at no charge.
Motion carried unanimously.
The amended motion now reads as follows:
Resolution C050413
"...that the Municipality rent the Arena to Nothin' Fancy for the required time and event at the regular approved rental rate of $500 per day, payable in advance, with one day to set up and one day to take down at no charge."
The amended motion was then put to a vote and carried.
Councillor Messenger then returned to the meeting.
Iva Cameron Request
Resolution C050414
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Halliday that a tax reduction in the amount of 50% for the two month period from December 26, 2004 to February 26, 2005 be granted on the property of Iva Cameron in Wood's Harbour because the property was damaged by the roof being blown off during a wind storm on December 26, 2004, and as a result the property was not inhabitable for two subsequent months.
Motion carried unanimously.
Oak Park Sewer
Resolution C050415
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Municipality write the Department of Education indicating that they should proceed with their project for the construction of a new high school assuming that the Municipality will not be extending the Municipal sewer line up the Oak Park Road to the High School property.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, April 11, 2005
Year of the Veteran
Resolution C050416
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality respond to the letter from the Royal Canadian Legion by indicating to them that the Municipality will contact the local Sea Cadet Corps and try to make arrangements with them for the construction of a float that can be used in the July 1st Canada Day parade in Clark's Harbour and the Barrington Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade celebrating the Year of the Veteran, and that banners will be obtained from the Legion in order to help publicize and celebrate the Year of the Veteran.
Motion carried unanimously.
Leave of Absence
Resolution C050417
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality inform Michelle DeSantis that her request for a further six (6) months leave of absence is approved.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution C050418
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that Laura Lee Greenwood continue on her term of employment until the return of Michelle DeSantis to regular full-time employment or until the end of six (6) months, whichever comes first.
Motion carried unanimously.
Council/Staff Relations Seminar
Councillors Nickerson, Halliday and Messenger reported on the Council/Staff Relations Seminar recently held in Halifax.
NEW BUSINESS
Proposed Amendments to Policy #51
It is proposed that amendments be made to Policy #51 "Community Litter Clean-up Incentive Program Policy" to delete the incentive rate of $200 and replace it with the following wording:
"a rate to be determined by Council".
Notice is given tonight and the proposed amendments to the policy will be considered by Council at their next meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
At this time a Closed Session of Council was held to deal with personnel matters.
The regular session of Council was then called back to order.
Page 8, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, April 11, 2005
Letter from Bob Watt
Resolution C050419
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Halliday that Mr. Bob Watt be advised that he can apply for the job of Property Services Labourer as presently advertised.
Motion carried unanimously.
Yearly Increments
Douglas Swaine
Resolution C050420
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that the Deputy Keeper of Lock-up, Douglas Swaine, be granted his yearly increment after having completed another year of satisfactory employment with the Municipality.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution C050421
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by F. Bower that Rob Williams, Landfill Attendant, be granted his yearly increment after having completed another year of satisfactory employment with the Municipality.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by F. Bower that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
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