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 with the exception of Deputy Warden Fred Bower who was absent due to medical reasons.
- Warden Sterling Belliveau
- Councillor Louise Halliday
- Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
- Councillor Eddie Nickerson
- Councillor Larry Stewart
- Councillor Sean Strang
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger informed members that she will be declaring conflict of interest when dealing with one of the matters to be discussed in Closed Session.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by S. Strang that the minutes of the last meeting of Council held December 12, 2005, and the minutes of the Public Hearing held December 12, 2005, be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Canada Post
The Clerk informed members that correspondence has been received from Canada Post in response to our letter expressing concern regarding the decision to close the Quebec letter processing plant. The letter advised that the decision was made in such a way that no jobs would be lost. Over 300 retirements will be occurring in the Quebec City region in the next few years. Not one single full or part-time permanent job will be lost.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 9, 2005
Department of Transportation Matters
The Clerk provided an update on various requests made of the Department of Transportation.
The Island View Drive sign is in and will be installed this week.
Three (3) additional "No Parking" signs will be installed across from Tim Horton's.
Flooding at Bear Point, Trunk 3 - The Department ditched it out toward Barrington and thought that it would correct the problem of flooding, but if it continues in the spring the Department will look at putting a culvert across Trunk 3.
The cross cut in South Side was repaired in December with cold mix and the Department will monitor the situation this winter. In the spring the cross cut will be paved.
Culvert on Trunk 3 in Barrington Passage - will assess and advise.
Flooding problem near Mr. Symonds, 2101 Newellton, was investigated last fall by the Department and the ends of the cross culverts were cleaned. Plans have been made to install bigger culverts in two driveways between residence of Mr. Symonds and the cross culvert.
Newellton signs have been ordered and will be installed as soon as possible.
Crosswalks
Question was raised as to whether the Municipality could have a crosswalk installed in the vicinity of Bay Vista Apartments in Barrington Passage. The Clerk informed members that generally the Department of Transportation only approve crosswalks in the vicinity of intersections.
CORRESPONDENCE
Women in Local Government Project
The Clerk informed members that the Women in Local Government Committee has forwarded a final report entitled "Untapped Resources Women in Municipal Government in Nova Scotia". A copy of this report has been emailed to all councillors.
Green Plan
The Clerk informed members that the Department of Environment and Labour has forwarded a copy of the Nova Scotia Government Green Plan: Progress Towards a Sustainable Environment.
The Clerk informed members that the office copy may be borrowed by councillors wishing to review the document, or councillors can view the document on the government website.
Bay Side Home Expansion
The Municipal Clerk informed members that correspondence has been received from the Minister of Health advising that once the outcome of the discussions regarding transfer of Bay Side Home from the Department of Community Services to the Department of Health is available, then Continuing Care staff will be pleased to meet with the Warden and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bay Side Home to discuss the offer of land and financial support.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 9, 2006
Important Bird Area Request
An email has been received from Pat Hudson of the Important Bird Area Local Action Committee requesting a letter from Council in support of their applications for funds to enable them to once again hold their children's nature camps this summer.
Resolution C060101
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Messenger that a letter of support be forwarded to the IBA Local Action Committee in support of their applications for funding for the children's nature camps.
Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT OF WARDEN
Signing Authority of Councillors
The Warden questioned why councillors are not authorized to sign passports.
The Clerk informed members that the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities is currently dealing with this matter.
Portfolios for Certificates of Recognition
The Warden requested that portfolios be obtained and used for certificates in recognition of birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
The Clerk informed members that contact has been made with Passage Print in an attempt to receive pricing for portfolios.
This request will be followed up with Passage Print.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
S.S.T. Committee
Councillor Halliday informed members that the last meeting of the School Steering Committee will be held on January 11, 2006. She will provide a final report at the next meeting of Council.
Committee of the Whole Council
Library Furnishings
Resolution C060102
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality order the furnishings required for the new library as listed by the Western Counties Regional Library Executive Director.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 9, 2006
Old Municipal Library
Resolution C060103
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality lease the former Municipal Library building to the Shelburne County Learning Network for a nominal fee and that this lease be renewed on an annual basis.
Motion carried unanimously.
Courtroom Lease
Resolution C060104
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by E. Nickerson that information about the courtroom in Barrington be provided to our MLA so that he may discuss the lease of the property with the Minister of Justice.
Motion carried unanimously.
The information provided will include what improvements have been done to the courtroom and the municipal lock-up, the inspections that have been done, and rent that was previously paid for the facility, and any further security measures that may be required in the future.
Snow Removal on Cape Sable Island
Resolution C060105
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by E. Nickerson that the Area Supervisor for the Department of Transportation, together with the staff member who is in charge of scheduling snow removal on Cape Sable Island, be requested to meet with the Committee of the Whole Council in January.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was noted that the scheduling of snow removal is governed by Department policy and therefore it was suggested that someone capable of having the policy changed be invited to attend the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Notice of Consideration Re: Policy No. 18
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a copy of proposed amendments to Policy No. 18 "Fire Department Funding".
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 9, 2006
It is proposed that the policy be amended as follows:
- That the requirement to advertise public meetings in the newspaper and on cable television to discuss area rates as required in paragraph 4(b) and 11(b) be deleted.
- Under the heading "Funding of Grants for Amalgamation", it is proposed that 15(b) be deleted and 15(c) be renumbered 15(b).
- It is proposed that Section 17 be deleted.
Consideration of the above amendments will take place at the next meeting of Council.
Job Creation Grant Application
The Clerk requested approval for the Municipality to submit a Job Creation Grant Application to hire a Community School Programmer for a twelve (12) month term at no cost to the Municipality.
The successful applicant will be supervised by the Recreation Director and will be provided office space at the Recreation Centre. The purpose of the position is to create and coordinate community activities at the schools in the area. Programs to be offered are to accommodate both adult and youth. The position starts February 1, 2006 and ends January 31, 2007.
Resolution C060106
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by L. Halliday that the Municipality approve the Job Creation Application and that the application be forwarded to HRDC for consideration.
Motion carried unanimously.
Military Museum
The Clerk informed members that correspondence has been received from the South West Shore Development Authority advising that the Cape Sable Historical Society is requesting a letter of support for a project to bring the Western Counties Military Museum to the standards of a public museum. The project will cost approximately $125,500.00 and funds are being requested from various sources including ACOA, Service Nova Scotia and Service Canada.
It was noted that the Municipality of Barrington has already agreed to provide the building.
Resolution C060107
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that a letter be forwarded to the South West Shore Development Authority in support of the Cape Sable Historical Society's project to bring the Western Counties Military Museum to the standards of a public museum.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 9, 2006
Barrington Municipal Arena
Mr. Angus Atkinson appeared before the meeting and expressed concern to councillors regarding the cleanliness of the Barrington Municipal Arena. He stated that there were dust bunnies in the section by the heaters which have been there for approximately two (2) months. He requested councillors to visit the Arena to see for themselves.
Mr. Atkinson was advised that this matter will be dealt with immediately.
CLOSED SESSION OF COUNCIL
At this time a Closed Session of Council was held to deal with personnel and legal matters.
The Regular Council meeting was called back to order.
Probationary Period
It was reported that Mr. Michael Swim has successfully completed his probationary period of six months. It was recommended that Mr. Swim be made a full-time employee.
Resolution C060108
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by L. Stewart that Mr. Michael Swim, Property Services Labourer, after having satisfactorily completed his probationary period be made a full-time employee of the Municipality.
Yearly Increment
Resolution C060109
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by S. Strang that Andrew Goreham receive his yearly increment after having received a satisfactory performance evaluation.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by S. Strang that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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