Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council held in the Council Chambers, in the Administrative Centre, in Barrington, N.S., on Wednesday, January 8, 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
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by A. Atkinson that the minutes of the last meeting held December 11, 2002 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried.
NATIONAL NON-SMOKING WEEK
It was reported that information has been received from Smoke Free Nova Scotia advising that National Non-Smoking Week 2003 will be held from January 19th - 25th . Each member of Council was provided with a Smoke Free 2003 Calendar.
It was reported that a letter has also been received from the Town of
Shelburne, Parks and Recreation Department, which advised that the Shelburne
County Heart Health Action Team, in conjunction with the Shelburne and
Area Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting two (2) information sessions
to help people better understand the new smoking legislation. One
session will be held in Shelburne on January 14th and one session will
be held in Barrington on January 15th.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Duties and Responsibilities of CAO
The Clerk informed members that Mr. Stephen Feist, Municipal Advisor, Service Nova Scotia & Municipal Relations, is willing to meet with Council to discuss duties and responsibilities of the CAO.
It was agreed that Mr. Feist be invited to meet with councillors on
January 13, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. The Public Works Committee meeting
scheduled for that evening will immediately follow the special council
meeting.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Council, January 8, 2003
Recreation Centre
At the request of Council, the Occupational Health & Safety Committee carried out an evaluation of the Recreation Centre located on Sherose Island. Each member of Council was provided with a copy of the Committee’s report. It was the recommendation of the Committee that in consideration of some of the environmental problems occurring in other buildings in this area that before any construction commences that a testing company be engaged to carry out tests to determine if there are any deteriorating materials in the structure or mold/mildew growing in the Centre.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that in order to better assess the condition of the building, a testing company be engaged to carry out tests to determine whether there are any deteriorating materials in the structure or mold/mildew.
Motion carried.
INTERVIEW LEROY LEGERE RE: B.M.H.S.
Mr. Leroy Legere, Chief Executive Officer of the Southwest Regional School Board, appeared before the meeting to discuss air quality issues at the Barrington Municipal High School.
Conflict of Interest
Councillor Angus Atkinson declared conflict of interest since he is an employee of the Southwest Regional School Board.
Mr. Legere circulated two (2) documents to each councillor. The first report outlined events in chronological order. This document included copies of letters forwarded to parents and a news release regarding health concerns at B.M.H.S. The document also included a copy of a letter from Jacques Whitford Environment Limited which summarized their findings on the air quality issues at the school. The second document outlined the scope of repair work to be carried out at B.M.H.S. during the summer of 2002.
During discussion with Mr. Legere it was noted that the School Board has to date spent over $350,000.00 in an attempt to correct air quality problems at B.M.H.S.
Phase I of the retrofit at B.M.H.S. is scheduled to start this spring.
During discussion with Mr. Legere, Council asked to be kept informed of the current situation at B.M.H.S. Mr. Legere informed Council that he would talk to the Communications Officer and have us added to the correspondence list.
Mr. Legere was thanked for appearing before the meeting and discussing this matter with Council.
Councillor Atkinson then returned to the meeting.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Council, January 8, 2003
INTERVIEW SHAUN HATFIELD - SAFE AND QUALITY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Mr. Hatfield appeared before the meeting on behalf of the Safe and Quality School Association. He informed members that testing at B.M.H.S. has revealed air quality problems at the school. The School Board will be proceeding with a retrofit project for the school and Mr. Hatfield suggested that it is very important that an opportunity be given to the public for input.
During discussion of this matter, Mr. Hatfield questioned whether the School Board should be proceeding with the retrofit or if they should be proceeding with a new school since the retrofit could possibly be carried out and there still be air quality problems after its completion.
Mr. Hatfield went on to say that the physical health issue is not the only issue at B.M.H.S. He suggested that there is a lack of leadership, low levels of morale, no school spirit, few programs offered to keep the students involved.
At the conclusion of Mr. Hatfield’s presentation the Association was requested to keep Council informed of their activities.
Mr. Hatfield was then thanked for appearing before Council and expressing the views of the Association.
Break
A short break was held at this time.
The regular council meeting was called back to order at which time the Warden informed members that Mr. Hatfield has requested Council to send out a survey to determine the wishes of the residents.
During discussion of this matter it was noted that councillors are available
to residents and they may contact them with their concerns at any time.
CORRESPONDENCE
Funding Regional Library Boards
It was reported that a letter has been received from the Minister of Education. The letter advised that the financial needs of regional library boards will receive careful consideration during the Department’s budget deliberations, but funding allocations will depend upon the government’s financial position for the new fiscal year.
V.I.C. Leasing Arrangment
It was reported that correspondence has been received from ACOA advising
that the funding agreement for the Visitor Information Centre has been
amended by deleting Section 5.02. This section required a copy of
the lease agreements between the Department of Transportation and Public
Works and the Municipality of Barrington, for property located in the vicinity
of the Lighthouse Museum. This amendment was made since the Municipality
has abandoned the idea of building the Visitor Information Centre on that
site.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Council, January 8, 2003
Waterfront Development Committee
A letter has been received from ACOA advising that the completion date of the McGray Avenue Project has been extended to December 31, 2003.
6W Athletic Associaton
It was reported that correspondence has been received from the 6W Athletic Association. The letter advised that the Association is not in a position at this time to pay the full loan payment due, in the amount of $1,103.82. They have, however, forwarded a cheque in the amount of $600.00 and hope to carry out some fundraising before their next season and forward the balance due as soon as possible.
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by A. Atkinson that this matter be referred to the Finance Committee for further consideration.
Motion defeated.
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by F. Bower that a letter be written to the 6W Athletic Association requesting the remaining loan payment prior to May 31, 2003.
Motion carried.
Children’s Aid Society
It was reported that a letter has been received from the Children’s Aid Society of Shelburne County regarding the former Barrington Elementary School. The letter advised that their agency has been unable to obtain funding for the renovations of the school. The Society is now requesting that the Municipality repurchase the property as provided for in the agreement between the Children’s Aid Society and the Municipality.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that the property be repurchased from the Children’s Aid Society as per the agreement.
Motion carried.
Moved by A. Atkinson and seconded by W. Smith that once the property is obtained the building be demolished and a V.I.C. be established on the site temporarily.
During discussion of this motion the ballfield located at the back of the property and the interest previously expressed by the Barrington Volunteer Fire Department were noted.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by F. Bower that the above motion be tabled until the next meeting of Council.
Motion carried.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Council, January 8, 2003
Police Act Review Committee
Correspondence has been received from the Department of Justice advising that the Police Act Review Committee was created to examine the Nova Scotia Police Act and generate recommendations for legislative revision. A discussion draft of the proposed legislation has been received from the Department and they are requesting comments or suggestions from members.
The Clerk informed members that anyone wishing to review the document may contact the office and may make recommendations to council for consideration.
Disposal of Fishing Rope, Nets and Lobster Traps
It was reported that a letter has been received from the Minister of Environment and Labour in response to our letter regarding the disposal of fishing rope, nets and lobster traps at the C & D Landfill Site. The Minister advised that he is not prepared to expand the definition to include the fishing industry waste requested by Council. He advised that there may be another possible avenue to manage this material, that being the construction of an Industrial Landfill. He recommended that we contact Mr. Bob Petrie, District Manager, in order to discuss this matter.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by E. Nickerson that contact be made with MLA Cecil O’Donnell and that he be requested to set up a meeting with the Minister of Environment & Labour to further discuss the issue of disposing of fishing rope, nets and lobster traps at the C & D Landfill Site.
Motion carried.
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by F. Bower that Bob Petrie of the Department of Environment & Labour be contacted to further discuss the establishment of an Industrial Landfill site.
Motion carried.
During discussion of this matter it was noted that in the letter from the Minister of Environment & Labour it was indicated that Haixin Fu, General Manager of Novaponics Inc., in Halifax, has expressed an interest in obtaining plastic fishing line and nets for recycling.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by A. Atkinson that Mr. Haixin Fu be contacted to determine what materials he may be interested in obtaining for recycling purposes.
Motion carried.
Clean Air Action Plan
In advance to the meeting each member of Council was provided with a
copy of a letter received from Mr. Darrell Dexter, NDP Leader, regarding
Canada’s Clean Air Agenda. He also included a resolution urging the
provincial legislature to voice its support of incentives for solutions
for clean air.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden provided a report outlining his activities since the last
meeting of Council.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Council, January 8, 2003
REPORT OF CLERK-TREASURER
The Clerk-Treasurer provided a report outlining his activities during
the month of December 2002.
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by A. Atkinson that the Municipality write the Shelburne County Fish and Game Association requesting more information on the duties of a representative from Council to their Association. In particular, Council would like to know what would a council representative do on their committee and why should Council have a member on their committee.
Motion carried.
Finance & Administration Committee
Community ACCESS-ability Program
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by A. Atkinson that the Municipality apply to Service Nova Scotia for funding under the Community ACCESS-ability Program for the funding of barrier-free access to the Community Service’s offices at the Administrative Centre, in Barrington.
Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION OF COUNCIL
A Closed Session of Council was held at this time to deal with a personnel matter.
The Regular Council Session was called back to order.
Employment Increment
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by F. Bower that Jamie Crowell receive his annual increment in the amount of $545.00, effective January 4, 2003.
Motion carried.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Council, January 8, 2003
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by F. Bower that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.