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 23, 2004.
The meeting was called to order by the Deputy Warden at 7:00 p.m., with the following members present:
- Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson
- Councillor Angus Atkinson
- Councillor Fred Bower
- Councillor Louise Halliday
- Councillor Dwayne Hunt
- Councillor Wayne Smith
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
Absent was Warden Sterling Belliveau as he was attending a meeting in
Halifax of the Nova Scotia Petroleum Board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Hunt that the minutes of the last meeting held February 11, 2004 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried.
PROCLAMATION
The Deputy Warden informed members that the Hepatitis Outreach Society is requesting Council to once again declare May 1st as Hepatitis C Awareness Day.
Having received no opposition, the Deputy Warden declared May 1, 2004
as Hepatitis C Awareness Day in the Municipality of Barrington.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Recommendation Re: Loader Tender
In advance to the meeting each member of Council was provided with a summary of the loader tenders received.
It was the recommendation of the Clerk that the tender received from Wajax Industries be accepted in the amount of $64,745.00, including H.S.T.
Resolution C040220
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Hunt that the recommendation of the Clerk to accept the loader tender received from Wajax Industries in the amount of $64,745.00 be approved.
Motion carried.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 23,
2004
CORRESPONDENCE
Sherose Island Archeological Sites
In advance to the meeting each member of Council was provided with a copy of a letter received from the Department of Tourism, Culture & Heritage. The purpose of the letter was to advise the Municipality of the presence of archeological remains on Sherose Island and the Department’s concern that they may be damaged or destroyed by current development activities.
The Clerk informed members that a copy of the archeological report will be forwarded to us once it is completed.
Nova Scotia Community College
The Clerk informed members that a request has been received from the Nova Scotia Community College for occasional use of the parking lot of the former Barrington Passage Fire Hall. They are requesting to use the parking lot for firefighting demonstrations for their Marine Emergency Duties Course. Courses will be held in the area on February 23rd, March 1st and June 14th.
Resolution C040221
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Hunt that permission be granted to the Nova Scotia Community College to carry out firefighting demonstrations for their Marine Emergency Duties Course at the former Barrington Passage Fire Hall.
Motion carried.
Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a copy of a letter received from the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program. The letter acknowledged the application for funding for the Cape Sable Island Sewer Collection and Treatment Project. They advised that there are insufficient funds in place to support this large project at this time. If the project is broken down into smaller phases this may enable the participation of future infrastructure funding programs.
It was suggested that a meeting of the C.S.I. Sewer Committee be held to discuss this letter. The Chairman of the Committee, Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson, agreed to call a meeting in the near future.
Conference Promoting Active Transportation
Each member of Council was provided with information on the conference promoting Active Transportation. Councillors wishing to attend were asked to contact the Municipal Office.
Library Funding
It was reported that information has been received from the Department
of Education regarding future library funding requirements.
For the year 2003/2004 the Municipality’s payment to the Western Counties
Regional Library Board was $36,875.00. In 2006/2007 this payment
will increase to $55,213.00.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 23,
2004
Nova Scotia Assessment Datebase for Municipalities
The Clerk informed members that a Memorandum of Understanding needs to be signed in order for the Municipality to have access to the Nova Scotia Assessment Database for Municipalities.
Resolution C040222
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the Clerk and Warden be authorized to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for use of the Assessment Database for Municipalities.
Motion carried.
REPORT OF WARDEN
There was no report from the Warden since he was absent from the meeting.
SNOW REMOVAL
Deputy Warden Nickerson suggested that snow removal be added to the next Public Works Agenda.
Resolution C040223
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Halliday that snow removal be added to the agenda for the next Public Works Committee Meeting and that Mr. Benny Acker of the Department of Transportation be invited to attend this meeting.
Motion carried.
REPORT OF CLERK-TREASURER
The Clerk-Treasurer provided a report of activities for the month of
January 2004.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance and Administration Committee
Fees to Poll Clerks and DRO’s
Resolution C040224
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Halliday that fees paid to Poll Clerks be increased from $75.00 to $90.00, fees paid for Deputy Returning Officers be increased from $100.00 to $125.00 and that fees for hall rentals of $100.00 be maintained.
Motion carried.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 23,
2004
Brian Townsend Camp Lease
It was reported that Brian Townsend lost his camp to fire in December 2002 and is requesting that taxes for 2003/2004 be written off.
The write-off of taxes only applies to the camp itself. Taxes relating to the property have been paid.
Resolution C040225
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by W. Smith that pursuant to amendments made to the Municipal Government Act allowing councils to do so, that taxes for 2003/2004 on the camp of Brian Townsend, located on municipal property, which burned down in December of 2002, be written off.
Motion carried.
Arthur Smith’s Request
Resolution C040226
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Hunt that the property which Mr. Smith wishes to lease be appraised by the Municipality to determine its fair market value.
Motion carried.
Council Meetings and Proceedings Policy
In advance to the meeting each member of Council was provided with a revised Council Meetings and Proceedings Policy.
Resolution C040227
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Hunt that Council give Notice of Consideration of the adoption of the proposed Council Meetings and Proceedings Policy.
Motion carried.
Visitor Information Centre Staffing
It is proposed that the Municipality have five (5) employees in the Visitor Information Centre this coming season. The Visitor Information Centre Manager will be hired all year round on a full-time basis. Two employees will be hired for a six month period beginning May 1st and ending October 31st, and two additional (2) employees will work during the main tourist season of July and August.
Funding has been obtained from the South Shore Tourism Association and applications will be made to HRDC for additional funding.
The Barrington & Area Chamber of Commerce has agreed to provide funding as well for the Visitor Information Centre Manager. The Chamber wishes to have the V.I.C. Manager work on their behalf all year round and therefore is agreeable to paying a considerable contribution towards the cost of her salary and wages.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 23,
2004
Resolution C040128
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Hunt that the proposed staffing plan for the Visitor Information Centre for the coming year be approved as presented and that any required adjustments be made by the Clerk-Treasurer if funding is not available from HRDC programs.
Motion carried.
Tax Write-Offs
It was reported that the Municipality has obtained ownership of two properties as a result of the Tax Sale held August 11, 2003. It is now necessary to write off outstanding taxes on these accounts.
Resolution C040229
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Hunt that the outstanding taxes on the two (2) properties obtained by the Municipality through Tax Sale be written off.
Motion carried.
Well Women’s Clinic Request
A request has been received from Trina L. Norman, Co-organizer of the Well Women’s Clinic. She is requesting a donation from Council in the amount of $100.00 per district to help defray costs to carry out the clinic scheduled for April 3, 2004 and the one planned for the fall.
It was agreed that this matter be referred to the Finance and Administration Committee for consideration and that the Clerk obtain additional information on this request.
C.S.I. School - Nutrition Seminar
Councillor Atkinson informed members that a Nutrition Seminar was held at the C.S.I. School on February 17, 2004. He informed members that he attended the seminar and gave a brief report.
Long Term Nursing Care Facility Committee
Councillor Halliday informed members that a Public Meeting of the Long
Term Nursing Care Facility Committee was held on February 17, 2004.
The meeting was attended by 38 people and those present were very interested
in having a facility located here in Barrington. Copies of a form
letter, addressed to the Minister of Health, were circulated to those present.
Copies will also be distributed to interested groups in the community.
The letter requests that Bay Side Home be given the status of a Level II
Nursing Home without jeopardizing the care of those who currently reside
at the facility and also requests that the government add an additional
wing to Bay Side Home with enough Level II beds to create a viable long
term care facility.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 23,
2004
CONSIDERATION OF VARIOUS POLICIES
Low Income Property Tax Exemption Policy
It is proposed that the Low Income Property Tax Exemption Policy be amended by increasing the maximum yearly income allowed to $15,500.00. This change is being recommended since the maximum Canada Pension and Old Age Security is now $15,319.68 per year.
Notice of Consideration of amendments to the Low Income PropertyTax Exemption Policy was given at the February 11, 2004 Council Meeting.
Resolution C040230
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by W. Smith that the Low Income Property Tax Exemption Policy be amended by increasing the maximum yearly income amount to $15,500.00.
Motion carried.
Arena Discipline Policy
The Clerk informed members that the Arena Discipline Policy has been redrafted by the Municipal Solicitor. No significant changes were made.
Notice of Consideration of the Arena Discipline Policy was given at the February 11, 2004 Council Meeting.
Resolution C040231
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Hunt that the Arena Discipline Policy be approved as redrafted.
Motion carried.
Personnel Policy Re: Overtime
It is proposed that amendments be made to the Personnel Policy relating to overtime to make it consistent with amendments to the Labour Standards Code. Employees working in excess of their regular time will be compensated at time and one half.
Notice of Consideration of amendments to the Personnel Policy relating to overtime was given at the February 11, 2004 Council Meeting.
Resolution C040232
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the proposed amendment to Article 11 “Overtime” of the Personnel Policy be approved.
Motion carried.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 23,
2004
C & D Landfill Site Policy
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a revised copy of the Construction & Demolition Debris Landfill Site Policy. The amendments outline the Fee Schedule, allows salvaged items to be sold during regular hours of operation, etc.
Notice of Consideration of amendments to the C & D Landfill Site Policy was given at the February 11, 2004 Council Meeting.
Resolution C040233
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Halliday that the revised C & D Landfill Site Policy be approved as presented.
Motion carried.
Policies and Procedures Manual Re: Barrington Municipal Lock-up
Notice of Consideration of the adoption of the proposed Policies and Procedures Manual for the Barrington Municipal Lock-up was given at the February 11, 2004 meeting of Council.
Resolution C040234
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Hunt that the Policies and Procedures Manual for the Municipal Lock-up be approved as presented.
Motion carried.
Recreation & Facilities Committee
Team Pepsi
It was reported that the Clerk, Warden and Recreation Facilities Manager met with the owners of Team Pepsi on Saturday, February 21, 2004.
Resolution C040235
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Hunt that letters be sent to the Municipality of Shelburne, Town of Shelburne, Municipality of Yarmouth, Town of Yarmouth, Town of Lockeport, Town of Clark’s Harbour and the Municipality of Argyle requesting them to forward letters of support of Team Pepsi being relocated to Barrington.
Motion carried.
PAC MEMBERSHIP
It was reported that the term of the non-council members serving on
the Planning Advisory Committee is due to expire March 31, 2004.
An advertisement has been placed in the Coast Guard Newspaper inviting
expressions of interest from individuals wishing to serve on this committee.
Five (5) responses have been received.
Page 8, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 23,
2004
Resolution C040236
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the expressions of interest be referred to the Finance Committee for review.
Motion carried.
It was agreed that the responses be copied to members.
MATRONS OF LOCK-UP
The Clerk informed members that we had previously advertised for Matrons for the Barrington Municipal Lock-up. Three (3) applications have been received and the applicants have been approved by the R.C.M.P. The Clerk is recommending that all three applicants be trained.
Resolution C040237
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by W. Smith that Sheri Kozera, Dayle Eshelby and Carla Malone be hired and trained as Matrons for the Barrington Municipal Lock-up.
Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by F. Bower that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
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