ROLL CALL
The Clerk reported that all councillors representing all districts of the Municipality were present with the exception of Councillor El-Jakl representing District #1.
- Warden Louise Halliday
- Deputy Warden Eddie Nickerson
- Councillor Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
- Councillor Wilford Smith
- Councillor Larry Stewart
- Councillor Sean Strang
- Councillor George El-Jakl (7:05 p.m.)
- Brian Holland, Municipal Clerk
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by L. Stewart that the minutes of the last meeting held May 28, 2007 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
It was agreed that the following items be added to the agenda:
- JCP Program.
- V.I.C. Report.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There were no matters arising from the minutes.
CORRESPONDENCE
Region 6
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a copy of a letter received from Region 6 Solid Waste Management requesting a municipal unit within the region to provide financial services. The Clerk informed members that this is the second request received.
Page 2, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
Councillor El-Jakl arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Minister of Energy
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a copy of a letter received from the Minister of Energy. He made reference to meeting with members of the Barrington Municipal Council on May 18, 2007.
Flyer Distribution
In advance to the meeting members were provided with a copy of the Herald’s flyer delivery procedure. During discussion of this matter it was noted that flyers delivered by the Halifax Herald are in pink bags, and the flyers delivered by Fundy Distribution are in blue bags.
Resolution C070601
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by D. Messenger that an advertisement be placed in the Coast Guard Newspaper notifying residents of telephone numbers to call to start, stop, or report a concern regarding flyer delivery.
Motion carried unanimously.
It was agreed that this information also be included in the quarterly news release placed in the Coast Guard Newspaper.
Shelburne Historical Society Board
The Clerk informed members that the Shelburne Historical Society is requesting that a member of the Barrington Municipal Council sit on their board as Council’s representative.
Question was raised as to whether the Society was for Shelburne only, or for Shelburne County. The purpose of a councillor sitting on the board was also questioned.
Resolution C070602
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by L. Stewart that further information be requested from the Shelburne Historical Society.
Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Public Meeting Re: Old Telephone Office Building
At 7:15 p.m. a public meeting was held regarding the old Telephone Office building located in Barrington.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the future disposition of the building.
The Clerk informed members that the public meeting was advertised in the Coast Guard Newspaper inviting public participation. The Clerk further informed members that no written presentations were received.
Page 3, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
The Warden then gave individuals in attendance an opportunity to address Council regarding this matter.
Lillian Perry addressed Council and advised members that the building in question is located within a heritage centre. She made reference to the other buildings in the area such as the Old Court House, the Old Woolen Mill, and the Old Meeting House. Many buildings in the area have historical significance.
It was suggested that maybe the old Telephone Office building could be made into a museum, equipped with an old switchboard etc. Failing that it was suggested that maybe it could be turned into a small office or an ice-cream parlor, etc.
Brenda Maxwell, Manager, Cape Sable Historical Society, addressed Council and informed Council that she had done some research into the building and that it is not a historic property. It was a telephone office, but it was not the first. Mrs. Maxwell indicated that the property has a lot of potential and suggested a parade square where concerts could be held along the river, etc.
It was suggested that in order for this building to be kept as a museum or some type of historic property, it would need to be a group effort by the local historical societies and interested individuals in the area.
Individuals present at the meeting were encouraged to put their suggestions, in writing, to Council.
This matter will be placed on an agenda for a future Committee of the Whole meeting for further discussion.
Resolution C070603
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipality have a carpenter assess the building and list required repairs, and that this matter be put back on a future agenda for further discussion.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Warden then thanked members of the public for attending the meeting.
R.C.M.P. Report
Sergeant Bill Mooney of the Barrington R.C.M.P. Detachment appeared before the meeting and provided stats for the months of April and May 2007.
General discussion took place regarding the information provided.
Sergeant Mooney informed members that two officers will be leaving the area, one on July 6th and one on July 20th. Replacements have been named for both positions and the replacements will be arriving on July 20th and by the end of July.
The litter problem in the area was questioned. Sergeant Mooney informed members that the major area of concern is near the Barrington Municipal High School and that they are working with the Department of Transportation and residents in the area to have this matter resolved.
Page 4, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
Question took place regarding the Lock-up facilities and the decision that a private security firm take over responsibilities of R.C.M.P. guards and matrons in Nova Scotia effective June 1, 2007. The Municipality of Barrington and the Municipality of Shelburne are exempt from this proposal since at present the municipal units provide lock-up services to the R.C.M.P.
The Clerk informed members that at present it cost approximately $20,000.00 to operate the Lock-up facility, with only approximately $8,000.00 being received to offset costs, leaving taxpayers to fund the remaining $12,000.00.
The Clerk also informed members that the Sheriff’s Department uses the Lock-up facility on court days.
Sergeant Mooney informed members that it is up to the Municipality as to whether or not they want to continue this arrangement with the Lock-up facility or return the responsibility to the R.C.M.P. Guards and matrons would be hired by the private security firm and the Lock-up at the local detachment would be used.
It was agreed that this matter be further investigated by the Municipal Clerk and placed on a future agenda for further discussion.
Sergeant Mooney informed members that the province has approved two new officers for Barrington in 2008. One officer will be a school liaison officer and the other officer will deal with street crime. The one officer allocated for street crime will be teamed with officers approved for Shelburne, and the 4 man team will provide services in both Barrington and Shelburne.
Sergeant Mooney was then thanked for appearing before Council and making his presentation.
Tenders - Sale of Municipal Property - GATR Site
The Clerk informed members that an advertisement had been placed in the Coast Guard Newspaper inviting tenders for the purchase of the former GATR Site located in West Baccaro. Four (4) tenders were received. Tenders were opened by the Warden and were as follows:
- Spruce Cove Enterprises (James Nickerson) $5,111.00
- Richard Newell $7,000.00
- John and Karen Flemming $16,301.00
- Carmen Blinn $18,000.00
Resolution C070604
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by W. Smith that the tenders for the GATR Site property located in West Baccaro be referred to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion and that the Municipal Solicitor be invited to be present during this discussion.
Motion carried unanimously.
Wood’s Harbour Multi Purpose Trail
The Clerk informed members that as a result of advertising for the clearing of the former CNR right of way along the proposed multi purpose trail in Wood’s Harbour, five tenders were received. These tenders were opened at the Committee of the Whole meeting held June 4, 2007 and forwarded to our engineers, Horner Associates Limited, for evaluation and recommendation to Council.
Page 5, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
Correspondence has now been received from Horner Associates and they are recommending that the Municipality award the contract to Chris Hubley Contracting, in the amount of $3,850.00, being the lowest tender received.
Resolution C070605
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by W. Smith that the tender received from Chris Hubley Contracting in the amount of $3,850.00 be accepted being the lowest tender received.
Motion carried unanimously.
CONTINUATION OF CORRESPONDENCE
Barrington Area Soccer Association Canteen
The Clerk informed members that the Barrington Area Soccer Association is requesting permission to put up a temporary building of 10 X 10 at the Barrington soccer field to be used as a canteen. No prepared food will be served, only sealed food and beverages.
By-Law No. 34, “Commercial Activity on Municipal Property By-Law” was reviewed.
Moved by G. El-Jakl and seconded by L. Stewart that the Municipal Council permit the Barrington area Soccer Association to locate a temporary canteen at the Richard Swaine Track & Field, subject to all requirements of By-Law No. 34, “Commercial Activity on Municipal Property By-Law” being met.
Resolution C070606
Moved by W. Smith and seconded by D. Messenger that the above motion be tabled and that John Shaar, Vice President of the Barrington Area Soccer Association, be provided with a copy of By-Law No. 34, and that this matter be referred to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Louise Halliday George El-Jakl
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger Larry Stewart
Eddie Nickerson
Wilford Smith
Sean Strang
Motion carried.
Pasture Land
The Municipal Clerk informed members that correspondence has been received from Tom Acker requesting to lease a piece of pasture land at Brass Hill for approximately 3 months.
Resolution C070607
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by E. Nickerson that pasture land at Brass Hill be leased to Tom Acker for a 3 month period.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 6, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
JCP Project
The Clerk informed members that he has received correspondence from Joan Bower, Development Officer of the South West Shore Development Authority, advising that the JCP Project is in jeopardy. Ms. Bower is requesting that a letter of support for the program be forwarded to Service Canada and MP Gerald Keddy.
Resolution C070608
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that letters of support for the JCP Project be forwarded to Service Canada and MP Gerald Keddy.
Motion carried unanimously.
V.I.C. Report
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a stats report showing visitors to the V.I.C. for the period May 14 - June 8, 2007. During that time 206 visitors stopped at the Visitor Information Centre. During the same period last year 429 people visited the V.I.C.
CONTINUATION OF NEW BUSINESS
Lease Agreement - Department of Community Services
The Clerk informed members that Transportation and Public Works have agreed to enter into a lease agreement for 4,575 sq. feet of office space in the Administrative Centre which houses the Department of Community Services. The proposed lease agreement is for a five (5) year period and is at the rate of $10.64 per sq. ft., per year, and the rent will be adjusted by an escalation factor tied to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index for Canada based on the Consumer Price Index at the end of July of each year.
Resolution C070609
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by W. Smith that the Municipality enter into the lease agreement for office space for the Department of Community Services, as indicated above.
Motion carried unanimously.
Joint Police Advisory Board
The Clerk informed members that we once again advertised for an individual to serve on the Joint Police Advisory Board. One application was received and that application was from Matthew Graham Crowell of Barrington.
Resolution C070610
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by D. Messenger that the application received from Matthew Graham Crowell be accepted and referred to the R.C.M.P. for approval.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 7, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
June 25, 2007 Council Meeting
The Clerk informed members that correspondence has been received from Dan Peacock, Eastlink Television, advising that he will be unavailable to record the June 25th Annual Council Meeting.
Victoria Hotel and Motel
The Victoria Hotel and Motel property located in Barrington Passage, owned by Mr. Mario Cormier, has been investigated as a dangerous and unsightly premise under the Provisions of the Municipal Government Act. The By-Law Enforcement Officer has been in contact with the property owner and he has advised that he will be in touch in the near future to get a demolition permit and everything will be taken care of within the year. The By-Law Enforcement Officer feels that this is unacceptable and is recommending the following options:
1. Mr. Cormier be given until July 20, 2007 to have the former Victoria Hotel demolished and all pertinent permits in place. If this has not been completed by this date, the Municipality will issue an Order at their July 23, 2007 Council meeting giving Mr. Cormier 30 days to demolish the buildings or the Municipality will demolish the buildings and have the expense charged to the property taxes.
2. Mr. Cormier be given until July 20, 2007 to make the necessary repairs to the former Victoria Hotel at 3519, Highway #3, Barrington Passage. These repairs are required to bring the building to a condition that would not be considered dangerous and unsightly.
The Clerk showed a slide presentation at this time showing pictures and reporting on required work to be carried out. The required repairs are as follows:
a) The front right side and the right side appears to be settling into the ground. An engineer’s report with recommendations for structural safety be approved by the Municipal Building Inspector.
b) All broken windows be replaced or covered with an acceptable material.
c) All fascia boards be checked and replaced if found loose, rotting or broken.
d) New roofing material be installed and existing shingles removed in a proper manner. The existing shingles are blowing off regularly during moderate to strong winds.
e) Any wooden steps to the building must be checked for rotting wood. These must be repaired or removed.
f) Brick column under drive-through portion appears unstable. An engineer’s report with recommendations for corrections must be made available and approved by the Municipal Building Official.
g) The roofs appear to be sagging and must be checked by an engineer or other qualified person.
Page 8, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
h) Since the building has been vacant and unheated for more than ten (10) years, and there appears to be some mold on the exterior of the building, a qualified person must conduct an assessment of the property to determine if there are any health issues for the neighboring properties or the general public.
i) Outside the sliding door on the attached storage barn there appears to be some sort of hole with water in it. This is covered with numerous pieces of rotting wood products. Persons or animals could be seriously injured. This hole must be filled in, or covered with proper materials.
Much discussion took place regarding the property.
Resolution C070611
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by G. El-Jakl that Mr. Mario Cormier be given until September 10, 2007 to address the dangerous and unsightly condition of his property located at 3519, Highway #3 Barrington Passage, and formerly known as the Victoria Hotel and Motel, and if the dangerous and unsightly condition of his property is not addressed based by one of the two options provided by the By-Law Enforcement Officer, that the Municipal Council consider at the September 10th Council meeting an Order to Demolish the buildings. It should be noted that the dangerous and unsightly premise only relates to the hotel unit and not the motel units located on the property.
Motion carried unanimously.
Budget Meeting Date
In advance to the meeting each member was provided with a draft budget. Budget meeting dates have been set for Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., and Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.
Notice of Proposed Amendments to OHS Policy
Notice was given by Council that consideration will be given to amendments to the Occupational Health & Safety Policy at their next meeting.
REPORT OF WARDEN
The Warden gave a brief report on her activities since the last meeting of Council. She informed Council that she attended the official welcoming of the CAT on June 1, 2007.
Resolution C070612
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by W. Smith that the Warden’s expenses be paid to attend the above mentioned function.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 9, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS
Deputy Warden Nickerson gave a brief report on his activities since the last meeting of Council. He informed members that he attended the Sea Cadets Annual Parade, and meetings of the Shelburne County ATV Association, and the Woodlands Multi-Use Trail Association.
ENGINEERING SERVICES
As reported at a previous meeting of Council, seven proposals were received. The Municipal Clerk’s recommendation to hire Horner Associates was referred to the Municipal Solicitor for his comments. The Municipal Solicitor’s comments were received and reported to Council. The Solicitor is of the opinion that since the evaluation process was circulated with the tender package, the lowest bidder does not have to be accepted.
Moved by L. Stewart that the lowest bidder be accepted.
There being no seconder, the motion was declared lost.
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by D. Messenger that the Municipal Council accept the Clerk’s recommendation and appoint Horner Associates engineers for the next three year period.
Much discussion took place regarding this matter.
Resolution C070613
Moved by E. Nickerson and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the above motion be deferred to the first Council meeting in September.
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
Louise Halliday Sean Strang
George El-Jakl
Donna LeBlanc-Messenger
Eddie Nickerson
Wilford Smith
Larry Stewart
Motion carried.
CONTINUATION OF COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS
Committee of the Whole
Councillor Strang
Request to Install Fence
Resolution C070614
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that Mr. Anthony be given permission to install a fence along the western boundary of the Municipality’s property at the track and field in Barrington Passage, at his expense.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 10, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
Bursary Selection
Resolution C070615
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by W. Smith that having received the highest number of ballots for bursary selection that John A. Brannen be awarded the Municipality’s bursary for 2007/2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
Municipal Insurance Coverage
Resolution C070616
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the following changes to the Municipal Insurance Coverage be implemented:
1. Accident insurance to insure council members while they are acting within the scope of their duties, including all travel be put in place at a cost of $48.00 per Council member.
2. Legal Expense Insurance for defence costs be put in place at an annual premium of $625.00, and that the optional coverage that is available under the Legal Expense Insurance Policy to provide for reimbursement of defence costs, even when the outcome of the statutory charge is guilty, also be put in place at an additional premium of another $625.00.
3. The deductible in respect to the Owned Automobile All Perils Insurance be increased from $1,000.00 to $2,500.00, decreasing the premium by $375.00.
4. The Municipality’s legal liability limits be increased from $6,000,000.00 to $10,000,000.00 at an additional premium cost of $$598.00.
5. That the Municipality’s property insurance deductible be increased from $2,500.00 to $5,000.00, decreasing the annual premium by $628.00.
6. The Boiler and Machinery Deductible Insurance deductible also be increased from $1,000.00 to $2,500.00, decreasing the annual premium on this insurance by $545.00.”
Motion carried unanimously.
FCM Conference
Councillor Strang gave a brief report on the FCM Conference recently held in Calgary.
Councillor LeBlanc-Messenger
Councillor Messenger returned from the FCM Conference last night and will be giving a report on the conference at the next meeting of Council.
Councillor George El-Jakl
Councillor El-Jakl gave a brief report on the FCM Conference.
Page 11, Regular Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 11, 2007
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by G. El-Jakl that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
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