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:
- 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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by S. Strang that the minutes of the last meeting of Council held February 12, 2007 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There were no matters arising from the minutes brought forward.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
The Warden informed members that it is necessary to add the following two items under the heading “correspondence”:
- Region 6 Finance.
- Letter of Thanks.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
MONTHLY POLICE REPORT
Cpl Doug Brannen appeared before Council on behalf of the local R.C.M.P. Detachment to present police reports for the month of December 2006 and January 2007. Written reports showing statistics were provided to councillors for their information.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 26, 2007
General discussion took place regarding various matters.
Cpl Brannen was thanked for appearing before Council and making his presentation.
INTERVIEW BRUCE ARTHUR, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
RE: C.S.I. CAUSEWAY
As requested by Council, Mr. Bruce Arthur of the Department of Environment was invited to appear before Council this evening to discuss concerns relating to the Cape Sable Island Causeway.
Mr. Arthur was made aware of Council’s concerns regarding the Cape Sable Island Causeway and their request to have the required department carry out the necessary studies to address potential environmental issues which may be created in the future as a result of the sand reaching the causeway.
Discussion took place regarding this matter and Mr. Arthur informed members that Council’s request was outside the jurisdiction of his department. Mr. Arthur indicated that he felt the matter would be in the jurisdiction of Environment Canada.
Mr. Arthur was thanked for appearing before Council and discussing this matter.
CORRESPONDENCE
Western Shelburne County Health Care Charitable Society
The Clerk informed members that correspondence has been received from the Western Shelburne County Health Care Charitable Society advising that they are working towards purchasing an ambulatory blood pressure monitor which can be available to all residents of the Municipality and the Town of Clark’s Harbour.
The Society is requesting financial support in the form of a donation of $1,000.00.
Resolution C070212
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by L. Stewart that the request received from the Western Shelburne County Health Care Charitable Society be considered during the budgetary process.
Motion carried unanimously.
Highway #103 Sable River to Broad River Hill
The Clerk informed members that a copy of a letter has been received from the Municipality of Shelburne addressed to the Minister of Transportation and Public Works regarding Highway #103. The letter advised of Shelburne Council’s support to the Highway #103 Committee with respect to the completion of Highway #103 running through Sable River to Broad River Hill in Port Mouton.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 26, 2007
Resolution C070213
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by W. Smith that a letter be written to the Provincial Government supporting any efforts in completing Highway #103 from Sable River to Broad River.
Motion carried unanimously.
Assessment Services Transitional Board
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a copy of a letter received from Assessment Services Transitional Board. The anticipated 2007/2008 assessment recovery cost to the Municipality of Barrington will be $136,845.00.
CAP Assessments
The Warden turned the Chair over to the Deputy Warden in order that she could address Council regarding CAP assessments. She made reference to the e-news flash forwarded to all councillors on February 22, 2007 regarding assessment capping. The provincial government has legislated that the CAP rate be decreased from 10% to the Consumer Price Index effective January 2008. A special meeting of mayors and wardens from across the province is being planned for early March. The Warden requested direction as to whether or not Council wished her to attend this meeting.
The Warden then resumed her Chair.
Resolution C070214
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the Warden be authorized to attend the special meeting of mayors and wardens to discuss assessment capping and that her expenses be paid by the Municipality of Barrington.
Motion carried unanimously.
Region 6 Finance
The Clerk informed members that a letter has been received from Region 6 Solid Waste Management advising that West Hants will no longer be dealing with Region 6 finances effective March 31, 2007. The Region is now looking for another municipal unit to assume this responsibility.
Letter of Thanks
A letter was received from former Recreation Director, Ray Green, thanking Council for the retirement gift and supper recently held in his honour.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 26, 2007
C.S.I. CAUSEWAY
Resolution C070215
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Stewart that representatives from Environment Canada be invited to attend an upcoming Council meeting to further discuss concerns relating to the Cape Sable Island Causeway.
Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden gave a brief report on her activities since the last meeting of Council.
COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS
Councillor Strang
Committee of the Whole Council - February 20, 2007
Property Services Technician
Resolution C070216
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that the Municipality hire an additional Property Services Technician to replace the former Landfill Supervisor to work throughout the Property Services Department.
Motion carried unanimously.
Future of Tourism in the Municipality
Resolution C070217
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality pay the membership fee and become members of the Destination Southwest Nova Scotia Tourism Association and inform the Association that any further contribution will be considered during budget deliberations in the spring.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 26, 2007
Financial Assistance Re: Tourism
Resolution C070217
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality not provide financial support for the Lighthouse Coast Birding and Nature Conference and for the Shelburne County FAM Tour, but will consider financial support for Discover Shelburne County as previously requested during budget deliberations as already indicated to the Discover Shelburne County Tourism Association, and will provide for cost sharing in the Salt Scapes Trade Show in April 2007 at an estimated cost of $388.05.
Motion carried unanimously.
Tele-Health
Resolution C070218
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the Municipality forward a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Health supporting the establishment of the Tele-Health location at the Community Health Centre in Barrington Passage.
Motion carried unanimously.
Request from Tri-County School Board
Resolution C070219
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the Municipality rent its portable bleachers to the Tri-County Regional School Board at a cost to be determined by Municipal Staff.
Motion carried unanimously.
Sidewalks
Resolution C070220
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that Horner Associates act as Construction Engineers on the Barrington Passage Sidewalk Project.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Louise Halliday George El-Jakl
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Eddie Nickerson
Wilford Smith
Larry Stewart
Sean Strang
Motion carried.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 26, 2007
Police Advisory Board
Resolution C070221
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality form a Joint Police Advisory Board with the Town of Clark’s Harbour consisting of nine (9) members. The Board will be composed of two councillors from the Municipality of Barrington, two councillors from the Town of Clark’s Harbour, two public members from the Municipality of Barrington, two public members from the Town Clark’s Harbour and one member appointed by the Nova Scotia Minister of Justice.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution C070222
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that the two public members appointed by the Municipality of Barrington be requested to be two members from the Citizens on Patrol Group.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution C070223
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that councillors El-Jakl and Strang serve on the Joint Police Advisory Board.
Motion carried unanimously.
Community Grants
Old Farm Cemetery Society
Resolution C070224
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that a Community Grant of $500.00 be provided from the District 2 Community Grants Fund to the Old Farm Cemetery Society.
Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT OF CLERK-TREASURER
The Clerk-Treasurer gave a report on his activities during the month of January 2007.
NEW BUSINESS
Community Litter Clean-up Program
It was suggested that we concentrate on the dirtiest areas this year, approximately 52.4 kilometers.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, February 26, 2007
Resolution C070225
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by G. El-Jakl that $7,500.00 be pre-approved for the Litter Clean-up Program.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was agreed that contact be made with Tim Hortons to determine if they are interested in contributing towards this program again this year.
Plowing of Roads
The Deputy Warden expressed concern regarding the long wait for residents of The Hawk to be plowed out on Monday, February 19, 2007. The Deputy Warden indicated that the snowplow passed by his residence twice that day, once in the morning and early afternoon and The Hawk Road was not plowed until after 5:00 p.m. that evening. He indicated that he was told that the plow operator was instructed to plow to the Clark’s Harbour town line and back, and not to plow The Hawk Road. The Deputy Warden wants to know if this statement is true and what steps can be taken to resolve this problem.
Resolution C070226
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the Municipal Clerk contact the Department of Transportation to determine whether the plow operator was instructed to plow to the Clark’s Harbour town line and back and not to plow The Hawk Road, and question why The Hawk road was not plowed until approximately 5:30 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION RE: LEGAL MATTER
At this time a Closed Session of Council was held.
The regular Council meeting was called back to order.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by D. Messenger that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
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