Town of Clark's Harbour : Town Minutes - September, 2022

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.

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Regular Session
Town Council

September 07, 2022

The Regular Session was called to order by Mayor Stoddard at 7:00 pm with Councillors Trudy Quinlan, Irene Baker, and Russell Atkinson present.

Councillor Link arrived at 7:35pm.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:

a)      Sewer Charges

b)     Vacant Office

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

                It was moved by Councillor Quinlan and seconded by Councillor Atkinson that the agenda as well as the additions be approved as circulated. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES:

                It was moved by Councillor Baker and seconded by Councillor Quinlan that the Minutes from the previous meeting be approved as circulated. Motion carried unanimously.

APPOINTMENTS:

a)      Belliveau Veinotte Chartered Accountants – Auditor, April Dedrick

Ms Dedrick presented Council with the audited financials for fiscal year 2021/2022. The town had a surplus of one hundred fifteen thousand, nine hundred thirty dollars and five cents (115 930 .05), in part because the town received an extra one hundred eighty-nine thousand eight hundred twenty-two dollars (189 822.00) in equalization payments from the province.

Councillor Quinlan motioned to approve the financial statements as presented, Councillor Atkinson seconded the motion, motion carried.

Councillor Baker motioned that the surplus be transferred to the special reserve account, Councillor Atkinson seconded the motion, motion carried.

A management letter was also presented explaining where there may be some improvements within the accountant procedures for the town. And that according to the Municipal Government Act, the audit committee must include one person, not a member of Council nor an employee of the Town sit on said Committee. It was suggested that the town advertise once every six months until someone is found.

b)      Candace Maxwell – Haunted House

Ms Maxwell was present to relay to the town that the haunted house would continue this year, as all the details haven’t been worked out, the exact dates are not known at this time.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:

a)      Volunteer Supper 2022

Since neither the Town nor the Municipality of Barrington received many nominations for volunteers, it was decided by the recreation committee to hold the supper in the spring of 2023 during Volunteer Week, hoping that more volunteer nominations would be received.

REPORTS:

Streets, Sewers and Unsightly Premises:



The Public Works report was presented to Council and discussed.

MPWWA is holding online course September 21, 23, 27, and 29th which would aid the Public Works Supervisor, Tyrell Goodwin, in obtaining his wastewater II certification, and that of Rodney Shand to maintain his wastewater II certification. The cost of the course is $718.75 per person.

Councillor Baker motioned that Tyrell and Rodney both be signed up to take this course, Councillor Atkinson seconded the motion, motion carried.

Mayor Stoddard indicated that the boardwalk would soon need replacing and asked if Council would consider a five-year plan to replace sections at a time over five years.

Councillor Link motioned to accept the plan, Councillor Quinlan seconded the motion, motion carried.

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Recreation:

a)      Family Day

Family Day activities were discussed and agreed upon amongst the recreation committee.

b)     Pumpkin Weigh Off

The pumpkin weigh off will take place on October 2nd, at 1:30pm at the back of Town Hall.



Building Inspector Report:

              There were two building permits issued, one for the month of July in the amount of eighteen thousand dollars and one for August in the amount of two thousand dollars.

Mayor/Councillors:



Mayor Stoddard and Councillors reported to Council on meetings that they attended since the last regular meeting of Council.

CORRESPONDENCE:

a)      Island and Barrington Passage Fire Department

An invitation was shared with Council that the 20th anniversary since the amalgamation of the Barrington Passage, South Side, and Clark’s Harbour fire departments in 2002 is this year and that they would be holding a banquet on September 24th at the fire department commencing at 6:30pm.

Council made note of the date.

b)     Barrington Regional Curling Club



                   Members of the Barrington Regional Curling Club has submitted a written request for a donation from the town.

Councillor Baker motioned that the town donate two hundred dollars to the club for the Fall Fling fundraiser being held on the 10th of September. Councillor Link seconded the motion, motion carried.



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c)      Hilda Russell – Fishers Memorials of Nova Scotia – Book

Ms Russell had sent correspondence asking if she could present her book, Fishers Memorials of Nova Scotia, to the community during/after the Fisherman’s Memorial Service being held at the town hall on September 25th. The consensus was that this would not be a good time to do this and the Clerk was asked to contact Ms Russell and invite her to the next regular meeting of Council on October 5th.

NEW BUSINESS:

a)      Deed Transfer Tax

The details for the deed transfer tax for July in the amount of $5 090 was shared with Council.

b)      By Law Officer

Tyrell Goodwin, Public Works Supervisor, has volunteered to become the Town’s by law officer, dealing mainly with the dog by law. Wages were also discussed.

Councillor Atkinson motioned to proceed with the application process to the Justice Department, Councillor Quinlan seconded the motion, motion carried.

Councillor Atkinson motioned to agree to the amount of the annual wage increase of five hundred dollars (500) and an extra two hundred and fifty dollars (250) per visit to carry out the duties of the dog by law officer if the application is approved, Councillor Quinlan seconded the motion, motion carried.

c)      Revisiting the Current Dog By Law

The current dog by law was discussed in length and it was the consensus of Council to consult with the town’s solicitor before making a decision to repeal the old by law and replace with a new one or amend the current one.

d)      Spray in Bed Liner for the GMC

Public Works employees has asked that a spray in bed liner be considered for the GMC truck as a lot of debris is getting under the old liner and it is becoming difficult to remove it all without doing damage to the truck.

Councillor Quinlan motioned to allow the Public Works employees to proceed with arrangements to get the bed of the GMC truck sprayed, Councillor Baker seconded the motion, motion carried.

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ADDITIONS:

a)      Sewer Charges

After reviewing the Schedule of User Fees in the Sewer By Law, it was discovered that there may be some properties that are not being charged sufficiently or appropriately. It was suggested that the Clerk send a letter to all businesses in the area along with a copy of the User Fees, to determine if there are any discrepancies between what they are being charged and what they should be charged. This applies to all businesses, no matter how large or small.

Councillor Quinlan motioned to send a letter to the businesses within the Town to determine if the correct sewer charge is being applied, Councillor Link seconded the motion, motion carried.

b)      Vacant Office

Councillor Link expressed that there may be interest in the usage of the vacant office space, which in the past has been used by Dr Blair. It was suggested that the potential tenant reach out to the Town of their intentions, then Council could make an informed decision.

As there was no further business to discuss, Councillor Quinlan motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:05pm.

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Mayor                                            Town Clerk