Town of Clark's Harbour : Town Minutes - June, 2017

Below you will find this year's Town Minutes. Please note that the most recent is at the top and the oldest one at the bottom. Each set of minutes are separated by a horiztonal line.

2022

Regular Session

Town Council

June 14, 2017



The Regular Session of Town Council was called to order by Mayor Leigh Stoddart at 7pm with Councillors Irene Baker, Russell Atkinson, Cara Ross, Trudy Quinlan, Louann Link and Rex Stoddard present.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:        Shelburne County Housing Coalition

                                                            Recreational Clam Harvesting

                                                            Seal Island Church Committee

                                                            Thank You Card from Sheldon Bell



APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

            It was moved by Councillor Stoddard and seconded by Councillor Quinlan to approve the agenda, as well as the additions, as circulated. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES:

            It was moved by Councillor Quinlan and seconded by Councillor Ross to approve the previous minutes. Motion carried.

APPOINTMENTS:

            Doug Drane/Redding CA – Doug Drane, the Town of Clark’s Harbour’s financial auditor, was present to present the draft financial statements of the fiscal year 2016/2017 to Council. The Town is reporting a consolidated deficit of $43,016 and a non-consolidated surplus of $10,054.

            Councillor Atkinson motioned that the 2016/2017 draft financial statements be accepted as presented, Councillor Quinlan seconded this motion, motion carried.

2023

            Wade Nickerson/Asphalt Repair – Wade Nickerson (Undercut Tree Removal), who has expanded his business to include an asphalt sealing service has gone one step further, and is offering an asphalt infrared repair service, one of its kind in the immediate area. The system works by establishing a thermal bond with the surrounding pavement preventing seams in which water can enter and eventually create cracks within the asphalt. He has offered to do a demonstration when his equipment arrives.

            Kim Goreham – Kim was present in response to an ad in which the Town was seeking volunteers to run the museum. There were two respondents to the ad, but one had to decline because of health reasons. It was decided that the museum would be open one day a week, the same day every week and if for some reason the volunteer couldn’t be there that day, then the museum would be closed. Kim was unsure at this time what days she would be available, but would let either the Clerk or the Mayor know.

            Ms Goreham also stated that she had been contacted by someone on behalf of “Haunted Nova Scotia” to do a story on the Heritage Hall building. There have been several stories that the hall may be “haunted”. People from the show will be in the area June 21st, and would like to do the story on the 23rd.

            Councillor Quinlan motioned that they allow “Haunted Nova Scotia” to do the story, Councillor Ross seconded this motion, motion carried.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:

            A Volunteer 5 Series Workshop – This was first presented to Council in March of 2017 and again in April of 2017, Dixie Redmond with CBDC Shelburne has initiated a series of workshops for volunteers to be held throughout Shelburne County. She had initially asked that the Town contribute $500 to these workshops. In an email to the Clerk, if Council were willing, the workshop of ‘Financial Sustainability’ would be held in Clark’s Harbour on September 27 2017.

            Councillor Stoddard motioned that the Town not host a workshop as there wasn’t enough interest in the area for participation, nor contribute any funding because of financial constraints, Councillor Atkinson seconded this motion, motion carried.



REPORTS

Streets, Sewers and Unsightly Premises:

            The report was read and discussed.

Recreation:

             No report available for this period.

Building Inspectors Report:

            There were three permits issued for the month of May, with a value of $93 000.

2024

Fire:

                        No report available for this period.

            Police:

                         No police report available at this time.

            Mayor/Councillors:

                        Mayor Stoddart and Councillors Quinlan, Baker and Link gave reports of their various events and activities they had attended since the last regular meeting of Council.

CORRESPONDENCE:

            a) Southwest Employment Services:

                        An invitation was received to invite Council and Mayor to the celebration of their 20th anniversary on June 21st, at the Yarmouth Golf and Country Club at 6-7:30pm.



            b) ‘Walk for a Cause’ (Rosalin Nickerson Care Fund):

                        Karen Goreham has requested an auction item from the Town for the ‘Walk for a Cause’ fundraiser being held on September 16th at the Barrington and Area Curling Club.

                        Councillor Ross motioned that the Town purchase a small wooden chair available at Island Traps for the cause, Councillor Quinlan seconded this motion, motion carried.

            c) PowerTalk Communications:

                        The Clerk received communication from Meg Devries of PowerTalk Communications which specializes in leadership development, communication training and coaching programs within Atlantic Canada. They had asked to arrange a meeting or a phone consultation to learn about what they had to offer.

                        Councillor Quinlan motioned that at this time, Council decline the invitation, Councillor Atkinson seconded this motion, motion carried.



NEW BUSINESS

            a) BMHS Graduation Ceremonies:

                        Councillor Ross will be attending the graduation ceremonies for Barrington Municipal High School on June 29th.

            b) Janitor:

                        Wanda Atkinson, the current Janitor for the Town of Clark’s Harbour, will be resigning of her duties as of August 31 2017.

                        Councillor Atkinson motioned that the Town tender out the position, Councillor Stoddard seconded this motion, motion carried.



2025

            c) Capital Investment Plan:

                        The five (5) Capital Investment Plan was presented to Council and discussed.

                        Councillor Stoddard motioned that the plan be accepted as presented, Councillor Baker seconded this motion, motion carried.



            d) 2017/2018 Budget:

                        The 2017/2018 budget was presented to Council and discussed, it was a balanced budget.

                        Councillor Link motioned that the budget be accepted as presented, Councillor Quinlan seconded this motion, motion carried.

            e) Radar Speed Signs:

                        Information had been received regarding radar speed signs, the cost to purchase ranged from $2609 to $3417 and the rental costs per month were $699 plus applicable taxes. There was also an option to rent, then to purchase and they would deduct the rental from the cost.

                        Council opted to neither rent nor purchase at this time.

            f) Paving Projects:

                        Mayor Stoddart had received quotes from Town & Country Property Improvements Limited for 2017/2018 paving projects. The projects were Courtney Street; and Boundary Street, of which the Town owns half. The price of paving for Courtney St. was

$65 791.73 and the price for Boundary St. was $66 574.50 (half of which would be Town responsibility).

                        Council opted not to do any projects this 2017/2018 fiscal year, but wait until the next fiscal year.

            g) NSCC Shelburne September Courses:

                        The Shelburne branch of the NSCC held courses (grade 12) at the Town Hall during the winter of 2017 and they proved successful, therefore they are asking Council to consider allowing them to do the same in the fall of 2017. These courses are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and because of this, the regular meetings of Council were being held on the first Wednesday of the month instead of the first Tuesday.

                        Councillor Quinlan motioned that the NSCC Shelburne be allowed to hold their fall classes at the Town Hall and that the regular meeting of Council be held on the first Wednesday of the month, Councillor Atkinson seconded this motion, motion carried.

NOTE: Because of other obligations of Council members, the July meeting will be held on Wednesday the 12th of July, instead of the 5th.

            h) Senior’s Tea:

                        The Town’s Senior’s Tea will be held on Wednesday August 2nd, at the Legion from 1pm to 4pm.



2026

            i) Signage:

                        A recent visitor to the Town Hall indicated that signage for the various different sites of interest were lacking, not only in the Town but in all of Nova Scotia. Council agreed with this, so intends to put up proper signage indicators for the points of interest within the Town.



ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:

            a) Shelburne County Housing Coalition:

                        The Shelburne County Housing Coalition has asked that the Town of Clark’s Harbour, as well as other municipalities and towns in the valley and southwest regions, to provide financial support for data collection and analysis to determine affordable housing needs in those areas. Council decided not to contribute at this time.

                        Councillor Stoddard motioned that the Town not support this request at this time, Councillor Atkinson seconded this motion, motion carried.



.           b) Recreational Clam Harvesting:

                        Councillor Quinlan brought to Councillors attention that there was no recreational clam harvesting allowed in many areas. She stated that there are ‘no shellfish harvesting’ signs being left posted whether there has been testing done or not to determine if the area in question is contaminated. She also stated, although not confirmed, that these signs were being left there as a precautionary measure ‘in case there was contamination’, but testing was not being done because there was no ‘money’ for it in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans budget. She asked that a letter be written to our MP, MLA, and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans regarding this matter.

                        Councillor Quinlan motioned that a letter be written to Member of Parliament, Bernadette Jordan; with copies to Chris D’Entremont, MLA and Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans , Councillor Baker seconded this motion, motion carried.



            c) Seal Island Church Group:

                        Councillor Baker inquired, on behalf of Lynne Jones of the Seal Island Church Group, if the ballgame discussed at April’s meeting was taking place and if there would be donations going toward the Church Group. Councillor Ross verified that this would be so.

            d) Sheldon Bell:

                        The Town received a thank you card from Shelly Bell thanking the Town for his nomination for Volunteer of the Year and the chance to go to the banquet in Halifax to represent the Town.

2027





            As it was 11pm and with no more business to discuss, Councillor Quinlan motioned that the meeting be closed.

____________________________        ______________________________

Mayor                                                      Town Clerk