The meeting was called to order by the Warden at 7:00 p.m.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
The Warden informed members that it is necessary to add the following items to the Council agenda:
- Closed Session Re: Possible Sale of Property
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
- Lesa Rossetti, Deputy Clerk
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by S. Strang and seconded by L. Stewart that the minutes of the last meeting held June 13, 2005 be approved as circulated.
Motion carried unanimously.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
There were no matters arising from the minutes.
CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence requiring Council's attention.
REPORT OF WARDEN
Graduation Ceremonies
The Warden informed members that he attended graduation ceremonies held at the Arena on June 23, 2005.
Page 2, 126th Annual Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 27, 2005
Roseway Hospital Charitable Foundation
The Warden informed members that he attended a meeting of the Roseway Hospital Charitable Foundation on June 22, 2005. At that meeting it was decided that the first $20,000 of the $100,000 loan provided to the Municipality for renovations at the Community Health Centre be forgiven.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
C.S.I. Sewer
Councillor Stewart informed members that the C.S.I. Sewer Survey will commence in the very near future. Arrangements have been made for the Municipal Clerk to meet with surveyors on Wednesday, June 29, 2005. It is hoped that the survey will be completed within three (3) weeks.
Committee of the Whole Council Meeting
Sewer Extension Request
Resolution C050623
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that Bruce Thomas be permitted to connect to the Municipal sewer line at the 8" sewer lateral at Wireless Road with all costs to be born by the property owner.
Motion carried unanimously.
South West Shore Development Authority Thank You Letter
Resolution C050624
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang a letter of appreciation and thanks be sent to the South West Shore Development Authority for their cooperation in obtaining funds for various Municipal projects.
Motion carried unanimously.
ACOA Luncheon Meeting
Resolution C050625
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Messenger that the expense of either the Warden or Deputy Warden to attend the luncheon meeting with the Vice President of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in Shelburne be paid by the Municipality.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 3, 126th Annual Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 27, 2005
Highway 103 Upgrade
Resolution C050626
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that a letter of support be sent to Councillor Brian MacDougall, Region of Queens Municipality, indicating the Municipality's support for the upgrading of Highway 103, and more particularly for the completion of the Barrington By-Pass.
Motion carried unanimously.
Offer to Purchase Property
Resolution C050627
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Municpality respond to an offer from Donna Smith for the sale of her property in Barrington Passage by stating that the Municipality is not interested in purchasing the property.
Motion carried unanimously.
ACOA Luncheon Meeting
The Deputy Warden informed members that he attended the ACOA Luncheon meeting held in Shelburne on June 21, 2005. At that meeting the Vice President reviewed various ACOA programs.
Planning Advisory Committee
Councillor Messenger provided a brief report on the last meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee.
Meeting with Minister of Health
Councillor Messenger informed members that on June 21, 2005 she and other members of the Community Health Care Advisory Committee met with the Minister of Health to discuss the possibility of having a nurse practitioner on staff at the Community Health Centre. At that meeting they were informed that the formal request must come from the District Health Authority. To date thirteen (13) applications have been received for nurse practitioners. Funding for three (3) nurse practitioners only was approved in the provincial budget.
Dr. McKnight
Councillor Messenger informed members that Dr. McKnight is currently practicing at the Community Health Centre and will continue to do so for at least the next six (6) months.
She further informed members that the Community Health Care Advisory Committee is currently in the process of setting up a charitable foundation.
Continuing Care Steering Committee
Councillor Messenger provided a brief update on the June 14, 2005 meeting of the Continuing Care Steering Committee.
Page 4, 126th Annual Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 27, 2005
NEW BUSINESS
Audited Financial Report
Mr. Doug Drane of Redding & Drane appeared before the meeting and presented Audited Financial Statements for the Municipality of Barrington for the year ending March 31, 2005. Each member was also provided with a copy of a Statement of Operations showing comparitive figures for the last five (5) years. Due to recent changes in accounting policies the year end result is as follows:
Using the Municpal Accounting and Reporting Manual Procedures the Municipality's year end surplus in the General Revenue Fund is $33,788.00.
Using PSAB Policies the Municpality's year end results show that Expenditures exceeded Revenues by $137,927.00 on a consolidated basis.
Mr. Drane was thanked for appearing before Council and making his presentation.
Estimate of Revenues and Expenditures for 2005/2006
In advance to the meeting each member of Council was provided with a complete copy of the proposed budget as well as a brief summary of the 2005/2006 Operating Budget for the Municipality of Barrington.
A slide presentation was then made by the Municpal Clerk providing an overview of the budget.
The Municipal Clerk was thanked for making his presentation to Council.
Tax Rates, Due Dates, etc.
Resolution C050628
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Messenger:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Municipality of the District of Barrington estimates that the sum required for lawful purposes of the Municipality of the District of Barrington for the year 2005/2006 after crediting the probable revenue from all sources other than the rates for the year, including properties whose tax or grant varies with the tax rate, making due allowance for the current year which may not be collected or collectible, as the sum of Four Million, Three Hundred Eleven Thousand, Thirty-seven Dollars ($4,311,037);
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Municipal Council hereby authorizes the levying and collecting of a rate for the current year of Two Dollars and Four Cents ($2.04) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) on the assessed value of the commercial property including business occupancy, and One Dollar and Eight Cents ($1.08) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) on the assessed value of the residential and resource property in the assessment rolls for the current year, and being the rate the Council deems sufficient to raise the sum required to defray current expenditures of the Municipality for the current year, and deficit from preceding years, but not include area rates, service charges or special assessments.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 5, 126th Annual Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 27, 2005
Resolution C050629
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by L. Halliday:
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the rates and taxes for the year 2005/2006 shall become due and payable on July 4, 2005, and after that date rates and taxes may be collected by warrant and:
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that an additional charge of interest at the rate of Eighteen Percent (18%) per annum be charged on all current rates, area rates and special assessments not paid before September 2, 2005.
Motion carried unanimously.
Area Rate
Resolution C050630
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the following area rates be set for 2005/2006 fiscal year:
FIRE DEPARTMENT RATE
Wood's Harbour Volunteer Fire Department $0.12/$100.00 of assessment
Shag Harbour/Bear Point Volunteer Fire Department $0.081/$100.00 of assessment
Barrington Volunteer Fire Department $0.056/$100.00 of assessment
District 8 Port LaTour Volunteer Fire Department $0.10/$100.00 of assessment
Island & Barrington Passage Volunteer Fire Department $0.05/$100.00 of assessment
Motion carried unanimously.
Sewer Service Charges
Resolution C050631
Moved by F. Bower and seconded S. Strang that the sewer service charges be set at the rate of $200.00 per unit for Barrington/Barrington Passage, and $275.00 per unit for Wood's Harbour for the Fiscal Year 2005/2006.
Motion carried unanimously.
Temporary Borrowing Resolution
It was reported that it is necessary to provide for a temporary loan for the purpose of defraying the annual current expenditures of the Municipality.
Resolution C050632
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by D. Messenger:
WHEREAS the combined total of taxes levied by the Municipality and the amounts received or to be received by the Municipality from Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada or in right of the Province of Nova Scotia or from an agency, is estimated to be $4,924,706.00.
Page 6, 126th Annual Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 27, 2005
AND the aggregate amount of the taxes estimated to be levied for the current year will exceed $4,788,418.00.
AND it is necessary to borrow the sume of $500,000.00 from the Royal Bank of Canada to defray the current expenditure of the Municipality which was authorized by the Council on the 27th day of June 2005, until such time as the taxes levied can be collected.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED by the Municipal Council of the Municipality of the District of Barrington (hereinfafter called the "Corporation").
1ST THAT the Warden, with the Treasurer of the said Corporation, be and they are hereby authorized under the seal of the Corporation, to borrow from the Royal Bank of Canada the sum of $500,000.00 Dollars as the same may be required from time to time for the purpose of defraying the annual current expenditure of the Corporation.
2ND THAT the said Warden, with the Treasurer aforesaid be, and they are hereby authorized to pay or allow to the said Bank, interest on the said sum of $500,000.00 Dollars at the Bank interest rate prevailing by way of discount or otherwise howsoever as they may deem best.
3RD THAT the promissory note or notes of the said Corporation, sealed with the Corporate Seal and signed by the Warden and Treasurer of the said Corporation, be given from time to time as required in security for the amounts borrowed from time to time under the provision of the Resolution.
4TH THAT the said sum of $500,000.00 Dollars so to be borrowed shall be payable on or before the 30th day of September A.D., 2006, and the promissory note or notes of the said Corporation given therefore, which shall be under the seal of the Corporation, and if made payable before the said 30th day of September A.D. 2006, may be renewed by the said Warden and Treasurer from time to time, but no renewal shall fall due later than the 30th day of September next.
5TH THAT the giving of such notes or renewal notes, as aforesaid, shall not be deemed satisfaction to the said Bank of the said advance or interest, but as evidence only of indebtedness.
Motion carried unanimously.
Farm Acreage Tax
Resolution C050633
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Farm Acreage Tax for the year 2005/2006 fiscal year be $2.47 per acre for all land that is assessed as exempt farm land.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 7, 126th Annual Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 27, 2005
Three Year Capital Budget
A copy of the proposed Three Year Capital Budget had been circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting for their perusal and review. The main expenditures included in the budget are as follows:
1. C & D Landfill Improvements.
2. CED/Library Project.
3. Tourist Rest Stops & Signs.
4. Community Club Properties.
5. Tennis Court.
6. Barrington Regional Curling Club Debenture Repayment.
A copy of the Three Year Capital Budget is attached to the minutes.
Resolution C050634
Moved by F. Bower and seconded by S. Strang that the Capital Budget for the 2005/2006 fiscal year in the amount of $1,275,706.00 be approved as presented.
Motion carried unanimously.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY LITTER CLEAN-UP PROGRAM
The Clerk gave a brief report on the Community Litter Clean-up Program. To date, 10,590 kgs of waste has been collected and $9,900.00 has been paid out under this program.
CLOSED SESSION RE: POSSIBLE SALE OF PROPERTY
At 8:23 p.m. a Closed Session of Council was held to discuss the possible sale of Municipal property.
The meeting was called back to order.
A letter has been received from Gerald Sears expressing an interest in purchasing a small piece of land owned by the Municipality. The property was formerly assessed to Allan J. Nickerson and is located in Stoney Island. The Municipality obtained ownership of this property through Tax Sale. The deed description for the property indicates that the property is approximately 22' X 31'. Mr. Sears owns property which borders three sides of this property. The fourth side is bordered by the highway. Mr. Sears is proposing to purchase the property for $200.00.
Resolution C050635
Moved by L. Stewart and seconded by S. Strang that since the property formerly assessed to Allan J. Nickerson is of no value to anyone else other than an adjoining property owner that the requirements of Policy #12 "Policy Re: Sale of Municipal Property" be waived, and that the property be offered to Mr. Sears for the price of $200.00, plus all costs associated with conveying the property pursuant to Section 51A of the Municipal Government Act.
Motion carried unanimously.
Page 8, 126th Annual Meeting of Barrington Municipal Council, June 27, 2005
ASSESSMENT
The Clerk informed members that he has been in conversation with Mark Peck of the Assessment Department regarding the Preliminary Assessment Roll for 2006. Anyone receiving an increase of more than 3% in their assessment will receive a Preliminary Notice of Assessment. Last year 1,400 notices were mailed. This year 3,480 notices will be mailed to the residents of the Municipality of the District of Barrington. Anyone receiving an increase of over 10% may make application to the Assessment Department to have their assessment capped. Last year 180 property owners fell in this category. This year 480 properties will experience an increase in assessment of 10% or more.
PROPERTY PROGRAM
Last year the Municipality hired Jonathan Dickie to match all properties within the Municipality of Barrington with an active PID number. The program terminated March 31, 2005 and 94% of the properties have now been matched with a Property Identification Number. Mr. Mark Peck of Assessment Services will forward a copy of the summary of this program.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by F. Bower that the meeting adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
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