Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Barrington Municipal Council held in the Council Chambers, in the Administrative Centre, in Barrington, N.S., on Wednesday, February 26, 2003.
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
- Councillor Angus Atkinson
- Councillor Fred Bower
- Councillor Louise Halliday
- Councillor Dwayne Hunt
- Councillor Wayne Smith (7:32 p.m.)
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by F. Bower that the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held February 12, 2003 and minutes of the Emergency Council Meeting held February 17, 2003 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Request from Cape Sable Important Bird Area
The Clerk reported that a request has been received from the Cape Sable Important Bird Area advising that they are hosting a Brant Festival on March 1, 2003, in partnership with the South Shore Tourism Association. They will be providing a chowder lunch, guest speakers and a slide presentation of birds of our area, and are requesting financial support to defray some of the expenses.
Resolution C030232
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by F. Bower that the Cape Sable Important Bird Area be granted $100.00 from the District 2 Community Grants Fund, and $100.00 from the District 7 Community Grants Fund, for a total of $200.00, to assist with the Brant Festival.
Motion carried.
S.W.S.D.A.’s Volunteer Services Program
The Clerk informed members that correspondence has been received from the South West Shore Development Authority advising that focus sessions will be held across the county to find ways to better meet the needs of seniors in our region. A session will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., in Barrington to discuss the needs of seniors in the Barrington and Port LaTour areas.
Councillor Bower indicated that he would try to attend this meeting.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Council, February 26, 2003
Barrington Karate Club
Deputy Warden Nickerson informed members that he planned to make the following motion at the last Council Meeting but was suddenly called away from the meeting.
Resolution C030233
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by A. Atkinson that the Barrington Karate Club be granted $500.00 from the District 7 Community Grants Fund to assist with the purchase of necessary equipment.
Motion carried.
INTERVIEW FIRE CHIEF
BARRINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Mr. John Nickerson, Fire Chief, of the Barrington Volunteer Fire Department appeared before the meeting. He raised concerns regarding the following maintenance matters:
- the ground is eroding around the fence surrounding the water
hole located at Brass Hill,
- the water hole gate is not working properly and requires attention;
and,
- the helicopter landing pad is not being cleared of snow regularly.
The Clerk informed Mr. Nickerson that these maintenance concerns will be addressed immediately by the Public Works staff.
Mr. Nickerson requested permission for the local fire departments to carry out training sessions at the former Barrington Consolidated School prior to it being demolished.
Much discussion took place regarding this matter.
Resolution C030234
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by F. Bower that once the Deed of Conveyance has been received from the Children’s Aid Society, conveying the former Barrington Consolidated School property back to the Municipality of Barrington, that local fire departments be allowed to use the building for training purposes, until such time as the South West Shore Development Authority informs us that the tender has been awarded to have the building demolished.
Motion carried.
The Fire Chief then raised concerns regarding a legal right-of-way across Municipal property to the ballfield, as well as a legal agreement providing for parking. The Fire Chief was advised that there is currently a legal right-of-way in place providing for access to the ballfield.
It was agreed by members that the parking question be dealt with once
the V.I.C. design has been prepared by the South West Shore Development
Authority.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Council, February 26, 2003
During Mr. Nickerson’s presentation, he also requested a written agreement stating that when the land is no longer required by the Municipality of Barrington, for a V.I.C. site, that the land be sold to the Barrington Volunteer Fire Department for a nominal fee of $1.00.
No final decision was made on this request.
Councillor Smith then joined the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
CORRESPONDENCE
No-fault Insurance
It was reported that correspondence has been received from the Nova Scotia Coalition against no-fault insurance. A copy was provided to members for information purposes only.
Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
It was reported that correspondence has been received from the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation. They are requesting the participation of the Municipality of Barrington in a special campaign to bring new diagnostic equipment to the Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
During discussion of this matter, it was noted that the suggested Schedule of Commitment, which was based on admissions, did not include the Town of Clark’s Harbour. It was questioned whether the Municipality of Barrington included admissions from the Town.
Resolution C030235
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that the request from the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation be referred to the budgetary process.
Motion carried.
Resolution C030236
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by E. Nickerson that the chairman for the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation be invited to meet with Council to further discuss their request for financial assistance to assist with the purchase of new diagnostic equipment.
Motion carried.
S.W.S.D.A. Energy Office
It was agreed that this matter be dealt with under the Warden’s Report.
B.M.H.S. School Advisory Council
It was reported that a copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Leroy Legere
of the Southwest Regional School Board, from members of the B.M.H.S. School
Advisory Council had been received and circulated to members. The
letter informed Mr. Legere of the School Advisory Council’s support for
David Buckland.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Council, February 26, 2003
REPORT OF WARDEN
RDA
The Warden reported that he attended a South West Shore Development Authority Meeting on February 19, 2003, and minutes and financial statements have been circulated. At that meeting it was reported that Mr. Frank Anderson is currently scheduling a meeting with the Department of Transportation to discuss the Terms of Reference as it relates to the C.S.I. Causeway Study as requested by Council.
The Warden informed members that he also attended a South West Shore Development Authority Energy Committee Meeting on February 19, 2003. He informed members that he has received a letter from Mr. Frank Anderson requesting a letter of support from Council for the proposed South West Shore Energy Office. The purpose of the Energy Office will be to conduct the critical actions identified in the S.W.S.D.A. Energy Strategy, to maximize the benefits to the counties of Shelburne and Yarmouth, from offshore oil and gas developments in Nova Scotia.
During discussion of this matter, the Warden informed members that Council’s request for the S.W.S.D.A. to consider sending a delegation to the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, would be dealt with by the Energy Office. He further informed members that the questions raised by Council regarding the oil and gas industry would also be dealt with by the Energy Office, if one is set up.
The South West Shore Development Authority Energy Committee is currently in the process of looking for funding to create the establishment of an Energy Office in this area.
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by E. Nickerson that the Municipal Council forward a letter of support to the South West Shore Development Authority supporting the concept of having an Energy Office established in this area.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the above motion be amended to state that funding for the proposed Energy Office not come directly from individual municipal units.
Amendment defeated.
After much discussion on this matter the primary motion was withdrawn.
School Board Meeting
The Warden briefly reported on a School Board Meeting which he attended in Yarmouth on February 25, 2003.
Congratulations
The Warden, on behalf of Council and staff, extended congratulations to Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson on the recent birth of his daughter Gracie.
Energy Office
Further discussion took place regarding the request from the South West
Shore Development Authority for support of the proposed Energy Office.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Council, February 26, 2003
Resolution C030237
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by A. Atkinson that a letter be forwarded to the South West Shore Development Authority stating that the Municipality of Barrington will not support their request for the establishment of a South West Shore Energy Office at this time.
Motion carried.
Councillor Atkinson left the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
REPORT OF CLERK-TREASURER
The Clerk-Treasurer gave a detailed report of municipal activities for
the month of January 2003.
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS
Community Health Care
Councillor Halliday informed members that she, as well as other members of the Community Health Care Advisory Committee, met with Dr. Metrie on February 17, 2003 and welcomed him to the area.
Finance and Administration Committee Meeting
Deputy Keeper of Lock-up
Resolution C030238
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by F. Bower that Municipal staff advertise for a Deputy Keeper of Lock-up, and if there is a lack of response, Municipal staff hire a Deputy Keeper of Lock-up by whatever means possible.
Motion carried.
Arena Fundraising Committee
Resolution C030239
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that the Recreation and Facilities Manager collect information on the present compressors to determine whether or not a higher certification will be required for Arena staff in order to operate the compressor room, should an additional compressor be added.
Motion carried.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Council, February 26, 2003
Resolution C030240
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the Warden, Deputy Warden, Clerk-Treasurer and Recreation and Facilities Manager meet with the Arena Fundraising Committee to determine what is being requested.
Motion carried.
Shelburne County Figure Skating Club
Resolution C030241
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that the request from the Shelburne County Figure Skating Club be denied.
Motion carried.
Shelburne County Lobster Festival
Resolution C030242
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by F. Bower that a grant of $200.00 be provided out of the 2003/2004 budget for the Shelburne County Lobster Festival.
Motion carried.
Grants to Organizations Policy
Councillor Atkinson returned to the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Resolution C030243
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that Municipal staff draft a policy addressing the need for a deadline for Grants to Organizations from the Municipality.
Motion carried.
ERMES Support Group Request
Resolution C030244
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that a grant of $1,000.00 be provided from the District 2 Community Grants Fund, to the Evelyn Richardson Memorial Elementary School, for a PA system.
Motion carried.
Sprinkler System Sherose Island
It was reported that a request has been received from Duggan Drafting
regarding the fire suppression system in the pumphouse at Sherose Island.
Mr. Ryan Duggan is requesting that the Municipality allow him to remove
the existing system, at his cost, since it is no longer an acceptable form
of fire suppression, and allow him to install a sprinkler system using
water from the site.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Council, February 26, 203
Resolution C030245
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that the Clerk inform Mr. Duggan that there is no need for a sprinkler system at the pumphouse in Sherose Island, and thank him for his offer to install one.
Motion carried.
Barrington Consolidated School Request
Resolution C030246
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that the request made by Mr. Ryan Duggan for the removal of the fire alarm equipment at the former Barrington Consolidated School be denied.
Motion carried.
Tri County Housing Representative
Resolution C030247
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by F. Bower that a letter of thanks and explanation be sent to Mr. Randall Ross expressing Council’s gratitude to him for his long service on this Board.
Motion carried.
Resolution C030248
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the Municipality advertise for a member to serve on the Tri County Housing Authority’s Board of Directors.
Motion carried.
Community Health Centre Rentals
Resolution C030249
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that the rental rate on the apartment at the Community Health Centre remain at $600.00 per month.
Motion carried.
Resolution C030250
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that no rent be charged to Dr. Blair for the residence at the Community Health Centre during the period while the residence is unusable due to renovations.
Motion carried.
Page 8, Regular Meeting of Council, February 26, 2003
Government Caucus Meeting
Resolution C030251
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that the Warden, Deputy Warden, and Clerk attend the Government Caucus Meeting, at White Point, on March 5, 2003.
Motion carried.
During discussion of this matter it was agreed that the following items be brought forward at the caucus meeting if possible:
- diversion credits
- C.S.I. Sewer
- possibility of a new high school for Barrington Passage
- Upper Clyde River Road paving
ROADS
It was reported that on February 17, 2003 an Emergency Meeting of Council was called by the Warden to discuss the deteriorating condition of roads in the Municipality of Barrington. A Press Release was issued on February 18, 2003 indicating unsatisfactory road maintenance in the Municipality of Barrington. Shortly after the news release was issued action was taken by the Department of Transportation to address some of the dangerous situations existing in the Municipality.
Resolution C030252
Moved by A. Atkinson and seconded by W. Smith that a letter be written to the Department of Transportation expressing Council’s thanks for their efforts put into addressing our concerns expressed in the press release.
Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION
At this time a Closed Session of Council was held to deal with personnel matters.
The Deputy Warden retired from the meeting during the Closed Session.
The Regular Session of Council was called back to order.
Yearly Increments
Resolution C030253
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Hunt that Sharon Brannen be granted her yearly increment after having successfully completed another year of employment with the Municipality.
Motion carried.
Page 9, Regular Meeting of Council, February 26, 2003
Conflict of Interest
Warden Sterling Belliveau declared conflict of interest and vacated his seat.
It was agreed by members that Councillor Hunt chair the meeting in the absence of the Warden and Deputy Warden.
Resolution C030254
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Halliday that Luella Belliveau be granted her annual increment after having successfully completed another year of employment with the Municipality.
Motion carried.
The Warden then resumed the chair.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
It was reported that Michelle DeSantis, Tax Clerk, successfully completed
another year of employment with the Municipality. Ms. DeSantis is
at the top of her salary scale and, therefore, is not entitled to an increment
at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by F. Bower that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
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