The meeting was called to order by the Warden at 7:00 p.m. with the following members 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
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
APPROVAL OF MINTUES
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the minutes of the last previous meeting held January 8, 2007 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INTERVIEW
Mr. Roger Larkin and Mr. Ian MacCallum appeared before Council for the purpose of discussing the Cape Sable Island Causeway.
There was much discussion regarding the accumulation of sand and the migration of sand to the sandspit at North East Point next to the causeway.
There was also much discussion regarding environmental issues and contamination believed to exist in the east bay and west bay on both sides of the causeway. Mr. Larkin explained to Council that in order to initiate an environmental assessment a project must be proposed for the causeway. Any environmental problems that exist at the causeway appear to be more important to councillors than the migration of sand at that location.
There was much discussion regarding who is responsible for the contamination on either or both sides of the causeway and in the east and west bays.
Mr. Larkin informed members that environmental issues should be dealt with by the Department of Environment and Labour and would require the involvement of the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans if these were to affect fish habitat. He also indicated that DFO permission must be obtained in order to do anything about the migration of the sand.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 22, 2007
Mr. Larkin also informed members, as had been previously stated in Mr. MacCallum’s letter, that any type of environmental study completed may not provide accurate information and may not provide enough information to determine what will happen with environmental issues and migration of the sand along the shore in future. He also indicated that having reviewed historical information, it appeared that sand had been migrating at approximately 5 metres per year at the sandspit at North East Point.
Mr. Larkin also indicated that the historical information did not make it possible to determine where the sand had come from. He indicated that there is generally a lot of erosion taking place along the seacoast shore in Nova Scotia and that this area was no exception.
Resolution C070105
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by S. Strang that Council invite representatives from the Department of Environment and Labour to discuss environmental issues relative to the Cape Sable Island Causeway.
Motion carried unanimously.
Having completed their discussion of this matter, Mr. Larkin and Mr. MacCallum retired from the meeting.
PROCLAMATIONS
The Warden proclaimed that February 7, 2007 is a Day for Accessible Post Secondary Education within the Municipality of the District of Barrington.
No objection was heard to this proclamation, and therefore it was proclaimed on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Students of Nova Scotia.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Trail Grant Application
It is proposed that an application be submitted to the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection for the construction of a multi-use trail on the former CNR right of way in Wood’s Harbour. The construction of this trail is part of a larger project for which funds have also been applied for to the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. This application will apply only to the construction of a multi-use trail on the former CNR right of way.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 22, 2007
Resolution C070106
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by E. Nickerson that the Municipality submit a grant application to the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection for funding for the construction of a multi-use trail on the former CNR right of way in the community of Wood’s Harbour, in the amount of $166,000.00, of which the Department would contribute $55,000.00.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
George El-Jakl Sean Strang
Louise Halliday
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Eddie Nickerson
Wilford Smith
Larry Stewart
Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
Destination South West Nova Scotia
Correspondence has been received from Destination South West Nova Scotia inviting mayors, wardens and councillors to attend a meeting of that organization, in Lunenburg, on Wednesday, January 31, 2007, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Resolution C070107
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality pay the expenses of Councillor Messenger to attend the Destination South West Nova Scotia meeting at the former South Shore Tourism Association office, at 18 Dufferin Street, in Lunenburg, on January 31, 2007.
Motion carried unanimously.
Municipal Government Act Amendment
Members were informed that the Municipal Government Act, in Subsection 131(4) has been amended to provide for the collection of business occupancy taxes.
Bluenose Coastal Action Program
Members were informed that the Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation has instituted an environmental home assessment program. Under this program homeowners are made more aware of the importance of their on-site water wells and septic systems as well as their home oil tank.
The Environmental Home Assistance Program can be accessed by home owners by calling the Bluenose Coastal Action Program Foundation at 624-9888 or toll free 1-866-551-5586.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 22, 2007
Kids Help Phone
Correspondence has been received from the Kids Help Phone indicating that they are in dire need of financing and are requesting contributions from municipalities.
Resolution C070108
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by W. Smith that Municipal Staff obtain information from the Kids Help Phone indicating how many calls are being made from the Municipality of Barrington and this matter will be referred to the municipal budgeting process.
Motion carried unanimously.
Councillor’s Reports
Councillor El-Jakl
Nil report.
Councillor LeBlanc-Messenger
Councillor Messenger indicated that she had attended a meeting of the Lighthouse Coast Tourism Committee on January 18, 2007. One of the suggestions made at this meeting is that a slide show of local tourist attractions be created.
Resolution C070109
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by S. Strang that the Visitor Information Centre Manager, Diane Smith, be requested to attend a Committee of the Whole Council meeting in order to discuss the future of tourism within the Municipality.
Motion carried unanimously.
Councillor Messenger also indicated that the Western Shelburne County Health Care Charitable Foundation has raised over $1,900.00 to date.
Councillor Smith
Nil report.
Councillor Stewart
Councillor Stewart informed members that he had attended the Planning Advisory Committee meeting held January 18, 2007. At that meeting there was some discussion regarding wind turbine generators, and also the continuing review of the Municipal Planning Strategy, Land Use By-Law and Subdivision By-Law which is required every five years by the Planning Advisory Committee.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 22, 2007
Resolution C070110
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by S. Strang that each councillor advise the Planning Advisory Committee of land use issues of concern to them so that these issues can be discussed by the committee and appropriate recommendations made to Council.
Motion carried unanimously.
Councillor Strang
Committee of the Whole Council
Resolution C070111
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that Municipal Staff contact Sou’Wester Wind Field Inc. to obtain more information regarding wind turbine generators and that this information include:
1. Identify the location of sites for wind farms in the Municipality.
2. Identify the number of towers proposed on each of these sites.
3. Identify the height of the proposed towers.
There then followed some discussion regarding this information.
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by D. Messenger that the previous motion be amended to include: 4. Identify benefits to the taxpayers of the Municipality from the construction of wind farms.
The division was then taken on the amendment.
Motion carried unanimously.
The division was then taken on the amended motion.
The amended motion reads as follows:
Resolution C070112
“...that Municipal Staff contact Sou’Wester Wind Field Inc. to obtain more information regarding wind turbine generators and that this information include:
1. Identify the location of sites for wind farms in the Municipality.
2. Identify the number of towers proposed on each of these sites.
3. Identify the height of the proposed towers.
4. Identify benefits to the taxpayers of the Municipality from the construction of wind farms.”
Motion carried unanimously.
Councillor Nickerson
Nil Report.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 22, 2007
WARDEN’S REPORT
The Warden informed members that she had attended an orientation for the two new councillors on Friday, January 19, 2007.
The Warden also informed members that there will be a Team Shelburne meeting held on January 23, 2007.
CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk then submitted a report of activities of Municipal Staff completed during the month of December.
JAMES BRANNEN REQUEST
Correspondence had previously been received from James Brannen requesting permission to use the former Cora’s Creative Styles building for the purpose of a residence.
Resolution C070113
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by E. Nickerson that this request from Mr. Brannen be referred to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration.
Motion carried unanimously.
GOOD NEIGHBOR ENERGY PROGRAM
An email has been received from Nova Scotia Power Inc. informing Council that the Nova Scotia Good Neighbor Energy Program is again being conducted this year. Under this program assistance is provided to families and individuals needing emergency fuel during cold winter months. This program is conducted through the Salvation Army. Residents wishing to access this program can do so through the Salvation Army Office at 103 Brunswick Street, Yarmouth, or by calling 742-4548.
CLOSED SESSION RE: PERSONNEL MATTER
Members discussed a personnel matter in Closed Session and gave direction to the Municipal Clerk regarding this matter.
Members then resumed Open Session having completed their discussion.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, January 22, 2007
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Stewart that the meeting adjourn at 10:53 p.m.
On website January 24, 2007.
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