The meeting was called to order by the Warden at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, in the Administrative Centre, in Barrington, N.S., with the following members present:
ROLL CALL
The Clerk reported that all councillors representing all districts of the Municipality were present:
- Warden Sterling Belliveau
- Deputy Warden Fred Bower
- Councillor Louise Halliday
- Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
- Councillor Eddie Nickerson
- Councillor Larry Stewart
- Councillor Sean Strang
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Warden asked if there were any conflicts of interest and none were reported.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by S. Strang that the minutes of the last previous meeting held July 11, 2005 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
The Warden informed members that the following amendments would be made to the agenda:
- Correspondence:
- Unnamed island off Forbes Point (deleted)
- Nova Scotia Chamber of Commerce (added)
- New Business:
- Community Grant Request
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Proprietor's Land
Correspondence has been received from The Honourable Richard Hurlburt, Minister of Natural Resources for the Province of Nova Scotia. This correspondence is a result of Council's request concerning camps located on proprietor's land that has been claimed by the Department of Natural Resources.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
Minister Hurlburt says in his letter: "The Department will be addressing the camp issue as part of the vesting process for this property. As camp holders come forward we will be reviewing each camp site on a case by case basis."
Resolution C050717
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by F. Bower that the Municipality request a copy of the Department of Natural Resources' policy on camps on crown land.
Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
Veterans Tribute
Correspondence was received from Cindy Nickerson, Postmistress at Shag Harbour, regarding the veterans tribute that was recently held in that community. This was a letter of thanks from Mrs. Nickerson in which she also points out that Myrna Rennehan, in particular, and other members of the community also helped in organizing the tribute to the veterans.
Tri-County Housing Authority
Correspondence has been received from the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services indicating that the Municipality's portion of the deficit for the Tri-County Housing Authority for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 is $21,076.00. This amount will subsequently be paid to the Housing Authority.
Archelaus Smith Historical Society
A letter of thanks has been received from the Archelaus Smith Historical Society for the annual grant of $500.00 which has been provided by the Municipality.
Clark's Harbour Canada Day Parade
A thank you has been received from Anna Kenney, Recreation Director for the Town of Clark's Harbour, in appreciation of the Municipality putting a float in the Canada Day Parade in Clark's Harbour.
Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce
Correspondence has been received from the Nova Scotia Chambers of Commerce inviting a representative from Council to attend a meeting from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on September 9, 2005, at the Best Western Glengarry Hotel in Truro. The purpose of this meeting is for the Chambers of Commerce to conduct a Nova Scotia Roads and Highways Symposium. The invitation has been forwarded to the Warden and he has been asked to provide his input at this conference.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
Resolution C050718
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality pay the expenses of the Warden to attend the Nova Scotia Roads and Highways Symposium, in Truro, on September 9, 2005.
Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden indicated that he has not had occasion to attend any functions since the last Council meeting.
The Warden has received a verbal request from the President of the Barrington Municipal Exhibition Association inviting all councillors to attend the opening of the Barrington Municipal Exhibition to be held on the evening of August 19th.
MUNICIPAL CLERK'S REPORT
The Clerk provided a brief report of various Municipal activities conducted by Municipal Staff during the month of June 2005.
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS
Councillor Stewart
C.S.I. Sewer Committee
Councillor Stewart informed members that the Cape Sable Island Sewer Survey has been completed although results have yet to be tabulated and circulated to members.
Councillor Strang
Coastal Management Focus Group Workshop
Councillor Strang informed members that he along with the Warden attended a Coastal Management Focus Group Workshop at which both he and the Warden provided input to researchers from Dalhousie University who will be helping to develop policy regarding management of coastal areas in Nova Scotia.
Councillor Nickerson
Councillor Nickerson had no reports to make at this time.
Councillor Halliday
Councillor Halliday had no reports to make at this time.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
Councillor Messenger
Continuing Care Steering Committee
Councillor Messenger informed members that there are continuing care consultations to be held in the very near future in the Municipality. The first two of these consultations will be held with the Greenhill Senior Citizens Club in Upper Port LaTour on August 8th, and the second will be held at the New Horizons Senior Citizens Club in Clark's Harbour on August 9th.
Community Health Care Advisory Committee
Councillor Messenger also reported on the Community Health Care Advisory Committees' most recent meeting with the Department of Health officials.
Recruitment of Physicians
Resolution C050719
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by L. Halliday that the Municipality pay recruitment fees that may be required for the purpose of bringing another physician to the Community Health Centre.
Motion carried unanimously.
Planning Advisory Committee
Councillor Messenger also reported on the Planning Advisory Committee. She indicated that the committee had further discussed the development of camping cabins in Coastal Wetlands Areas. The Planning Advisory Committee will be proceeding with amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-Law to provide for camping cabins as a use in the Coastal Wetlands Areas, and to provide for the development of camping cabins in that area by way of development agreement.
Nova Scotia Marathon
Councillor Messenger also reported on her attendance at the Nova Scotia Marathon on July 24th .
There were 150+ runners in the marathon who completed the race. A dinner was held after the marathon at the Barrington Regional Curling Club at which awards and certificates were presented to runners.
World Log Rolling Championship - Darren Hudson
Councillor Messenger also reported that a local resident Mr. Darren Hudson had recently won the World Log Rolling Championship. Mr. Hudson is the nephew of Phil Scott who had previously won the World Log Rolling Championship seven times.
Resolution C050720
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by S. Strang that a letter of congratulations be sent to Darren Hudson on achieving his world log rolling championship and that a plaque be prepared for him to be presented to him at a Council meeting when he is next in the area.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
Nova Scotia Marathon - Gerry Randall
Resolution C050721
Moved by D. Messenger and seconded by L. Stewart that in appreciation of his participation in organizing and helping to run the Nova Scotia Marathon for twenty (20) years, a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr. Gerry Randall, and that a plaque be presented to him at a Council meeting at his convenience.
Motion carried unanimously.
Deputy Warden Bower
Committee of the Whole Council Meeting
Deputy Warden Bower reported on the Committee of the Whole Council Meeting held since the last previous Council meeting.
Unnamed Island off Forbes Point
Resolution C050722
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Municipality inform Assessment Services that the unnamed island off Forbes Point identified by PID #80017353 be assessed to the Department of Natural Resources.
Motion carried unanimously.
Tourist Destination Sign
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Lobster Capital of Canada design for tourist destination signs be forwarded to the Department of Transportation so that these signs can be erected on Highway 103 as soon as possible.
Resolution C050723
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Stewart that this matter be referred to Committee of the Whole Council for further discussion prior to approval of this motion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Visitor Information Centre Sign
Resolution C050724
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Messenger that a Visitor Information Centre sign be erected on the Visitor Information Centre building itself.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
Boat at McGray Avenue
Resolution C050725
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that a letter of thank you be sent to Mr. Gene Nickerson for moving the boat to a more appropriate location out of the way.
Motion carried unanimously.
Lights at the Waterfront
Resolution C050726
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality request Nova Scotia Power Inc. to sponsor lights on the Christmas tree at the waterfront by donating energy efficient lights for this purpose.
Motion carried unanimously.
The purpose of this request is for the Municipality to obtain energy efficient lights from Nova Scotia Power Inc. for use on the Christmas tree at the causeway.
Annual Report
Resolution C050727
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the draft annual report for the fiscal year 2004/2005 be placed on the Municipal website.
Motion carried unanimously.
Island Electric Business Occupancy Tax
Resolution C050728
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipality write off the balance of the business occupancy tax on the account of Island Electric Limited. The property formerly assessed to Island Electric Ltd. was purchased by the Municipality at Tax Sale on September 20, 2004 and subsequently has been resold and the business occupancy taxes cannot be collected from Island Electric Ltd.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Sterling Belliveau Larry Stewart
Fred Bower Sean Strang
Louise Halliday
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Eddie Nickerson
Motion carried.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
Piping Plover Recovery Strategy
Resolution C050729
WHEREAS part of the strategy for recovery of the piping plover is to minimize human disturbance and increase enforcement of vehicular restrictions in areas frequented by piping plover;
AND WHEREAS numerous restrictions are being placed on the use of private property especially in coastal areas:
THEREFORE the Canadian Wildlife Service and its recovery strategy for piping plover not prevent people from exercising in passive recreation activities on beaches and coastal areas and that the strategy for the piping plover respect a public use of these areas as well as the use of these areas by piping plover.
Motion carried unanimously.
Tenders for Various Works
Resolution C050730
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Municipality tender for the provision of carpentry services and electrical services for the coming fiscal year.
Motion carried unanimously.
Team Shelburne Priority List
The priorities list developed by the South West Shore Development Authority was reviewed by the Committee of the Whole Council so that a priority list could be developed and forwarded to Team Shelburne for their information and consideration.
Resolution C050731
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the following priorities be forwarded to Team Shelburne for their consideration and action:
Education
Specialized courses should be incorporated into the Nova Scotia Community College, Shelburne Campus.
Health Care
Recruitment of Physicians and Incentive Programs to be provided to physicians should be developed by Team Shelburne for the entire county.
Transportation
Highways in general in Shelburne County should be improved including secondary roads as well as Highway 103.
Exports
Development of more exports for Shelburne County should be further pursued. New industry
New and different industries should be attracted to the county in order to diversify the economy.
Page 8, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
After some discussion it was agreed by councillors that these priorities should be forwarded to Team Shelburne without indicating that any particular item took priority over any other. It was the sentiment of Council that all of these priorities were of equal importance.
Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution C050732
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by S. Strang that the priorities being forwarded to Team Shelburne also again be referred to the Committee of the Whole Council for further discussion.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Sterling Belliveau Fred Bower
Louise Halliday
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Eddie Nickerson
Larry Stewart
Sean Strang
Motion carried.
Barrington Municipal Exhibition Request
A request has been received from the Barrington Municipal Exhibition to borrow tables and chairs from the Municipality at no cost.
Resolution C050733
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Municipality loan to the Barrington Municipal Exhibition 15 - 8 foot tables and 80 chairs from the Barrington Recreation Complex for the purpose of use in the Bingo building during the Exhibition. The Exhibition Association will be responsible for picking up and returning these tables and chairs.
Motion carried unanimously.
Victorian Order of Nurses Request
Resolution C050734
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Halliday that the Municipality inform the VON that it regrets it cannot fund any grant to that organization during this fiscal year.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 9, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
Rural Caucus Meetings
Resolution C050735
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Halliday that a letter be sent to the attention of the Chairman of Rural Caucus requesting that meetings of the Caucus be held in more central locations because journeying to Antigonish for a 9:00 a.m. meeting requires municipal units from the south western end of the province to take two days in order to attend the meeting, and that a response be requested from the Rural Caucus Chair.
Motion carried unanimously.
Street Light Requests
The Warden requested the Deputy Warden to assume the chair for the purpose of discussion of this matter.
Resolution C050736
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Stewart that a street light be placed at the end of the Clam Point Road on Cape Sable Island where it intersects the main road.
Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by S. Belliveau and seconded by L. Stewart that a street light be placed midway up Sea View Lane in Wood's Harbour.
The Warden then addressed this matter informing members that there are five (5) houses on Sea View Lane and that under the present Street Lighting Policy this lane does not qualify for street lights to be placed there by the Municipality.
Resolution C050737
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by S. Strang that this matter be referred to the Committee of the Whole Council for further consideration.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Fred Bower Sterling Belliveau
Louise Halliday
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Eddie Nickerson
Larry Stewart
Sean Strang
Motion carried.
Warden Belliveau then resumed the Chair.
Page 10, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
Resolution C050738
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by D. Messenger that the Street Lighting Policy be referred to the Committee of the Whole Council for further review and consideration.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
C & D Landfill Policy
This matter was referred to Closed Session by consensus of members as it may involve legal issues.
Roseway Hospital Charitable Foundation
Correspondence has been received from the Roseway Hospital Charitable Foundation indicating that the Foundation has agreed to forgive the first $20,000.00 of the loan to the Municipality and will further discuss the contract at their next annual meeting in 2006.
The Foundation provided a forgivable interest free loan of $100,000.00 at the time the Community Health Centre was purchased. They are now forgiving $20,000.00 of that loan so that the outstanding remaining amount will be $80,000.00.
Amendments to Policy 8 "Annual Remuneration and Expenses for Councillors"
In order to put in place the wages for councillors that were approved in the budget, it is necessary to amend Policy 8. Notice of this policy amendment was given at the previous council meeting.
Paragraph 1 of Policy 8 will be amended to indicate that the Warden's remuneration will be $20,500.00, the Deputy Warden $17,500.00 and councillors will receive $16,000.00 remuneration annually.
Resolution C050739
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the amendments increasing the annual remuneration of the Warden, Deputy Warden and councillors, as previously listed, be approved.
Motion carried unanimously.
Amendment to Lock-up Policy
Notice of amendment to the Lock-up Policy was given at the previous Council meeting. The intention of these amendments is to provide that clear plastic bags be used to contain prisoner's personal effects and that these be sealed and initialed when personal effects are received and when personal effects are passed on to others.
Page 11, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
Resolution C050740
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by S. Strang that Policy #2 "Admissions" contained in the Barrington Municipal Lock-up Policies and Procedures Manual, be amended to provide for the use of clear plastic bags to contain personal effects of prisoners.
Motion carried unanimously.
Arena Policy Amendments
Members are being given notice at this Council meeting that a proposed amendment to the Arena Policy for the rental of the Arena on a per hour basis will be considered at the next subsequent Council meeting.
Barrington Catch Monitoring Centre Request
A request has been received from the Barrington Catch Monitoring Centre. The Centre is requesting that they be exempted from paying business occupancy taxes because they are a non profit organization.
Members were informed that Section 71 of the Municipal Government Act provides that a tax exemption by-law for organizations may exempt from taxation the following: "Property of a non profit, community, charitable, fraternal, educational, recreational, religious, cultural or sporting organization, if in the opinion of the council the organization provides a service that might otherwise be a responsibility of the council."
It is clear that the Barrington Catch Monitoring Centre does not provide any service that might otherwise be a responsibility of Council, and therefore it is not recommended by staff that the Barrington Catch Monitoring Centre receive a tax exemption.
Resolution C050741
Moved by L. Halliday and seconded by S. Strang that the request of the Barrington Catch Monitoring Centre for tax exemption be denied.
Motion carried unanimously.
Community Grants Request - Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Deputy Warden Bower again assumed the chair of the meeting so that the Warden could address this matter.
Resolution C050742
Moved by S. Belliveau and seconded by S. Strang that a Community Grant be provided to the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Wood's Harbour for the purpose of purchasing a new sign and maintenance of the cemetery, and that these funds be provided from the District 1 Community Grants Fund.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Warden then resumed the chair.
Page 12, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, July 25, 2005
CLOSED SESSION OF COUNCIL
Members entered into Closed Session in order to discuss a personnel matter and a potential legal issue.
Having completed their discussion of the personnel matter and the legal issue, members returned to Open Session.
C & D LANDFILL
Correspondence has been received from Harlow Construction Ltd. expressing concern over the
C & D Landfill Policy for charging contractors from outside the Municipality for the deposit of waste.
Resolution C050743
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by F. Bower that Harlow Construction Ltd. be informed that the policy that has been put in place by the Municipality for the charging of non resident contractors will remain in effect and not be amended, and that Harlow Construction be informed that if they wish to obtain legal advice they should do so from their own legal advisors.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Fred Bower Sterling Belliveau
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger Louise Halliday
Eddie Nickerson
Larry Stewart
Sean Strang
Motion carried.
WASTE COLLECTION AD
There then followed some discussion regarding the waste collection ad that has been placed in the paper by the Municipal Waste Collector. This ad was placed by the Collector as a result of Council approving a change in the waste collection schedule.
There was some concern expressed regarding the adequacy of this ad to inform the residents of the Municipality regarding the change in schedule.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by mutual consent of members at 9:45 p.m.