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, January 22, 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 Louise Halliday
- Councillor Dwayne Hunt
- Councillor Wayne Smith
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
Absent was member Fred Bower due to the inclement weather.
MINUTE OF SILENCE
All those in attendance were requested to observe a minute of silence
in memory of the fishermen who were lost at sea, on January 16, 2003, in
the Bay of Fundy. The sympathies and condolences of Council are extended
to the families of these fishermen.
ADDITION TO AGENDA
The Warden informed members that an interview would be held this evening
with Mr. Shaun Hatfield on behalf of the Safe and Quality School Association,
and that this item would become Item 3(B) on the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that the minutes of the last two previous meetings held on January 8, 2003 and January 20, 2003 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried.
NATIONAL FLAG DAY
National Flag Day will be held across Canada on February 15, 2003. The National Flag of Canada was first approved and flown on February 15, 1965, thirty-eight years ago.
Having heard no objections to this proclamation, the Warden declared
February 15th as National Flag Day in the Municipality of the District
of Barrington.
SAFE AND QUALITY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION INTERVIEW
Reverend Shaun Hatfield, Chairman of the Safe and Quality School Association,
appeared before the meeting on behalf of the Association. Approximately
20 members of the public were in attendance in support of Reverend Hatfield.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Council, January 22, 2003
The first meeting of the Association was held on Monday, January 20th. At that time 67 people attended. Reverend Hatfield informed Council that the Association has the support of approximately 600 people in the community.
At their meeting Monday night several resolutions were approved, of which two are of significance to Municipal Council.
The first resolution of significance is that the Association meet with The Honourable Angus MacIsaac, Nova Scotia Minister of Education. The second resolution is that the Association unanimously prefers that a new school be built at a new location, rather than having the present school retrofitted on the same location.
Reverend Hatfield indicated that the location preferred by the majority of those in attendance would be at municipally owned property on Sherose Island.
Reverend Hatfield indicated this evening that he had several questions to be addressed by Council. First, will Council endorse the resolutions of the Association? Second, is Council willing to send a letter to our local MLA endorsing the Association? Third, will Council send a letter to the Minister of Education endorsing the resolutions of the Association?
There then followed some questions and answers from councillors, and some discussion of the resolutions and the purpose of the Association. It was questioned: “Will it take longer to get a new school than it will to get a retrofit of the current school?” It was emphasized that the resolution passed by the Association is for a new school in a new location.
Reverend Hatfield indicated that the Association would like to see the Richard Swaine Memorial Track maintained for community and school use.
He also indicated that the Association felt it needed Council’s support before approaching the province. The Association might be open to consideration of a new school at the same location but would prefer strongly a new location.
It was the general sentiment of councillors and Reverend Hatfield that the community must “fight harder” for what it wants in regards to a new school.
A question was raised whether or not the Chamber of Commerce had been consulted in this matter.
There was also some question as to whether a high school and a junior
high school should be separated rather than being built in one location.
It was suggested that a junior high school might be put at Sherose Island
and the senior high school would be placed at a different location.
The sentiment was also expressed that the voice of the community must
be heard outside of Barrington in order to achieve the results desired.
The parents of children attending the school do not wish to have the children
moved to another school while another school is being built on the same
location.
It was suggested that a short break be held so that a resolution could be drafted for consideration of Council.
After a break of approximately ten minutes, Council resumed its considerations
of the matter.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Council, January 22, 2003
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by W. Smith that Barrington Municipal Council support the Safe and Quality School Association, and their efforts to meet with the Minister of Education to discuss the construction of a new school in the Barrington Passage area, and to find possible locations for the construction of a new school in the Municipality of Barrington, and that a letter be sent to the Minister of Education indicating Council’s support of the Safe and Quality School Association, with a copy of this letter also being sent to our local MLA.
Motion carried.
Having completed their discussion of this matter, Reverend Hatfield
and the members of the Safe and Quality School Association in attendance
retired from the meeting.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Tabled Motion Re: Disposition of Former Barrington Consolidated School Property
At its regular meeting held January 8, 2003, a motion regarding the disposition of the Barrington Consolidated School property was tabled for consideration at tonight’s Council Meeting. The motion that was tabled is:
“Moved by A. Atkinson and seconded by W. Smith that once the former Barrington Consolidated School property is obtained by the Municipality the building be demolished and a Visitor Information Centre be established on the site temporarily.”
Members were informed that the legal work is presently been completed and is waiting for the signature of the authority from the Children’s Aid Society. The property will be returned to the Municipality as soon as the required signatures are obtained and the legal work is completed.
After members briefly discussed and considered the motion, the division was requested.
Motion carried.
There were also two motions being recommended to Council from the Finance and Administration Committee relative to this property. The Chairman of the meeting allowed that these motions be considered at this time as they were relevant to the previous motion.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that South West Shore Development Authority representatives be requested to meet with the Finance and Administration Committee on January 27th to discuss the development of a Visitor Information Centre.
Motion carried.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by E. Nickerson that the Municipality contact Barrington District 7E Volunteer Fire Department and inform them of the Municipality’s plans for the former Barrington Consolidated School property.
Motion carried.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Council, January 22, 2003
Waste Collection Report for December
The Waste Collection Report for the month of December was presented
to Council as it was not available at the time of the Clerk’s report.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2002, the Municipality’s waste diversion
ratio is approximately 57%.
CORRESPONDENCE
Industrial Landfill Site
Municipal staff have been in contact with the Department of Environment regarding the establishment of an Industrial Waste Landfill Site within the Municipality. Correspondence has been received by e-mail from Mr. Bob Petrie, Regional Director for the Department of Environment. In his correspondence, Mr. Petrie informs members that regulations relative to the establishment of Industrial Waste Landfill Sites will be developed during the month of February, and will be forwarded to the Municipality as soon as they are available.
Intermunicipal Co-operation
Service Nova Scotia and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities are currently conducting a study of intermunicipal cooperation throughout the province. A questionnaire has been circulated by e-mail to all municipal units. Municipal staff have completed and forwarded this questionnaire to Service Nova Scotia, as required. The purpose of this study is to determine how much intermunicipal cooperation currently exists, and to encourage intermunicipal cooperation in the future.
Infrastructure Application Response
Correspondence has been received from the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Program in regards to the Municipality’s application for a Cape Sable Island Sewage Collection & Treatment Project. In this response the CNSIP indicates that projects announced, and under consideration, will have used most of the County allocation, and the Cape Sable Island proposal will be beyond the scope of the program funding. It would, therefore, be advisable “to break the Cape Sable Project into phases which are both technically viable and require smaller units of financial participation for each phase”. This correspondence had previously been discussed at the Public Works Meeting held earlier in the month.
Moved by A. Atkinson and seconded by E. Nickerson that the Cape Sable Island Sewer Committee be permitted to negotiate with federal and provincial representatives to make the case for “special funding” for the Cape Sable Island Sewer Project.
In order to clarify the intention of this motion some discussion then ensued. The Chairman of the Committee indicated that it is the intention of the Cape Sable Island Sewer Committee to make a case to provincial and federal program directors to obtain funding for the project as it is presented. If this is not possible, it is then the desire of the Committee to break the project down into more financially manageable phases. Approval from Council would still be necessary before any further action could be taken on the project.
Having completed their discussion of this matter the division was requested.
Motion carried.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Council, January 22, 2003
REPORT OF EMO COORDINATOR
A report has been received from the Emergency Measures Coordinator indicating that the Joint Emergency Measures Organization, of the Municipality of Barrington and the Town of Clark’s Harbour, has received another evaluation from the province’s Western Regional Coordinator. Our EMO organization has received an evaluation of “good”. This is an improvement from the previous evaluation of “fair”.
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by D. Hunt that a letter of appreciation and thanks be sent to Mr. Edward Nickerson, the Emergency Measures Coordinator for the Municipality of Barrington and the Town of Clark’s Harbour.
Motion carried.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden reported that he had attended the Infrastructure and Strategic Community Investment Fund announcements held on January 20th in the Town of Clark’s Harbour. Also attending the announcements were The Honourable Robert Thibault, Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans; MLA for Shelburne County, Mr. Cecil O’Donnell; and, Mr. Don Zwicker, President of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.
The Warden also indicated that on January 29, 2003 a meeting has been
arranged with the Minister of Environment. The meeting will take
place in Halifax and will be for the purpose of discussing the payment
of division credits to the Municipality. A meeting is also in the
process of being arranged to discuss with the Minister the possibility
of disposing of additional materials at our Construction and Demolition
Debris Landfill Site at Goose Lake.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance and Administration Committee
Councillor Hunt, Chairman of the Finance & Administration Committee, brought forward recommendations from that committee.
Birding Conferences
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by E. Nickerson that the Visitor Information Centre Manager be registered for the First National Eco-Tourism Conference “For the Birds”, being held at White Point Beach Resort, February 27th and 28th and March 1st, at a cost of $500.00.
Motion carried.
As part of this Eco-Tourism Conference there will also be held a “Brant
and Winter Birding Festival” on Cape Sable Island on March 1st and 2nd,
2003.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Council, January 22, 2003
Business Occupancy Tax Write-offs
M & G Nickerson Fisheries Ltd.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by E. Nickerson that the balance of two (2) business occupancy tax accounts in the name of M & G Nickerson Fisheries Ltd. be written off as they are deemed to be uncollectible.
Motion carried.
Atlantic Pride Fisheries Ltd.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by E. Nickerson that the balance of the accounts of business occupancy taxes in the name of Atlantic Pride Fisheries Ltd. be written off as it is deemed to be uncollectible.
Motion carried.
Cutting of Windfalls on Sherose Island
A request has been received from Mr. Landon Smith to cut windfalls on municipal property on Sherose Island.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that Mr. Landon Smith be permitted to cut windfalls on municipal property on Sherose Island again this year under the same conditions as previously stated to him.
Motion carried.
FCM Resolution
Correspondence has been received from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities requesting any resolutions to come before their conference this year.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that Municipal staff draft a resolution to be considered by the FCM requesting that the Federal Government remove its “long gun” registration requirements.
There was a brief discussion regarding the regulations in place and the requirements for registration of “long guns”.
Upon completion of this discussion the division was requested.
Motion carried.
Request for Oil and Gas Industry Information
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by W. Smith that the Municipality hire
a consultant to obtain information on the development of the natural
gas industry in our Municipality. This information would include
the pros and cons of the development of natural gas processing and shipment
facilities.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Council, January 22, 2003
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by D. Hunt that this motion be tabled until a response can be received from our request for information from the South West Development Authority.
Motion carried.
Meeting with Minister of Environment
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by A. Atkinson that the Warden be authorized to attend a meeting with the Minister of Environment, on January 29, 2003 for the purpose of discussing payment of diversion credits.
Motion carried.
Public Works Committee
The Public Works Committee Chairman, Councillor Atkinson, reported on motions brought forward by that committee.
Wood’s Harbour Monitoring System
Information has been provided to the Public Works Committee regarding the installation of an electronic monitoring device on the Wood’s Harbour sewer system.
Moved by A. Atkinson and seconded by D. Hunt that the cost of providing electronic monitoring for the Wood’s Harbour sewer system be included in the budget for the next fiscal year, and that further information be obtained from the companies regarding the discrepancies in monitoring costs, prior to an amount being included in the budget, and that Council choose the supplier of the monitoring system once the reason for the discrepancy is ascertained.
Motion carried.
Request for Information on Natural Gas Development
Moved by A. Atkinson and seconded by L. Halliday that the Municipality request the South West Shore Development Authority Energy Committee to respond to Council’s questions concerning the development of the Natural Gas Industry.
Motion carried.
The questions which the South West Shore Development Authority are requested to respond to are:
1. How can the processing of sour gas be done safely? Must it be done offshore or can it be done safely onshore.
2. What will be the affect of the processing and shipping of natural gas by pipeline on the local fishing industry? What risks are involved and what affect will this have on the fishing industry in our area?
3. What affect would the processing and shipping of natural gas
to our Municipality have on our local environment? How great is the
risk to our environment from the processing and transporting of natural
gas?
Page 8, Regular Meeting of Council, January 22, 2003
4. What economic and other benefits will result in the processing or transporting of natural gas through our Municipality? What employment benefits and what economic benefits would result from the availability of natural gas to residents and industry in our Municipality?
The response to these questions will provide information that will allow councillors to make an informed decision as to whether or not the risks inherent in developing a natural gas industry in this area are justified by the benefits that will result.
Centreville Church
The steeple of the Centreville church has previously been struck by lightning during the fall of 2002. Repairs to the damage caused by this lightning strike have yet to be effected.
Moved by A. Atkinson and seconded by W. Smith that the Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officer investigate the Centreville church property under the Dangerous and Unsightly Premises Provisions of the Municipal Government Act.
Motion carried.
Councillor Halliday then reported on meetings she attended during January.
Recreation and Facilities Management Committee
At the present time there are no motions being brought forth by the Recreation and Facilities Management Committee. The Committee is currently drafting plans to restructure the Recreation Department. These plans will be brought forward to Council in the near future for their consideration and approval.
South West Shore Development Authority Meeting
On January 15, 2003, Councillor Halliday attended the S.W.S.D.A. meeting. At that meeting there was some discussion regarding the cost of the proposed study to open the Cape Sable Island Causeway. Once a cost is obtained for the study the Municipality will be informed.
There was no Energy Committee Meeting held after the recent meeting of the S.W.S.D.A.
A Planning Meeting will be held for the S.W.S.D.A. on February 8, 2003, at the Community Centre in Shelburne. This meeting will be an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input for the S.W.S.D.A. plans for the coming year.
The S.W.S.D.A. passed a motion at its recent meeting to institute an administration fee of up to 10%, for project management. This fee would be charged to any local municipal units who request the S.W.S.D.A to manage projects for it. The amount of the charge would depend on the time and effort required by the S.W.S.D.A. to manage any particular project.
Councillor Halliday indicated that she had obtained a CD from the S.W.S.D.A. regarding board membership in that organization. This CD will be kept at the Municipal Office for the use of councillors.
Councillor Halliday also indicated that the program “Reaching out to Canadians” was discussed at the S.W.S.D.A. meeting. This program is a federal program that is available to local community groups to provide funding for volunteer organizations and projects.
Page 9, Regular Meeting of Council, January 22, 2003
The next meeting of the S.W.S.D.A. will be held in Barrington.
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by E. Nickerson that information on the “Reaching out to Canadians” program be obtained and sent to Mr. David Quinlan.
Motion carried.
Councillor Smith indicated he had no committee reports at this time.
Councillor Smith did attend the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Works and Strategic Community Investment Fund announcements on January 20th. He indicated at that time that he discussed the C.S.I. Sewer Project with both federal and provincial representatives who indicated that some “fine tuning” would be required.
Deputy Warden Nickerson indicated that he had no committee reports at this time.
Council then recessed for a short break of five minutes.
S.W.S.D.A. Meeting
Councillor Halliday reported that at the recent S.W.S.D.A. meeting a
change in the Memorandum of Association was approved by members.
The change in the Memorandum of Association will require, that should the
S.W.S.D.A. organization be terminated, the assets remaining after the payment
of debts would be distributed to the municipal units funding the organization,
in proportion to be decided by the members at that time.
FIRST READING OF BY-LAW NO. 33 “SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL BY-LAW”
The Snow and Ice Removal By-Law is directed towards the removal of ice and snow from the sidewalks in Barrington Passage. The first reading tonight is for the purpose of having the title of the by-law read into the minutes.
Moved by D. Hunt and seconded by L. Halliday that By-Law No. 33 “Snow and Ice Removal By-Law” receive approval in first reading.
Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by D. Hunt that the meeting adjourn at 9:14 p.m.
Back to Council Page || Top of Page