Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Council: Warden Ronnie LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Nil Doucet, Councillors, Eric Pothier, Hector Thibault, Brian Comeau, Carl Deveau, Danny Hill and Yvon LeBlanc.
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Amy Paradis
Presenters: Laurie Moses and Shawn Craven of the Havelock Fire Department, Nick Power of the Clare Firefighters Association, Gil Frechette of the Hectanooga Fire Department
ABSENT:
1) Call to Order
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) (a) Approval of the Agenda
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc proposed the following items be added to the agenda:
• 6.6 Upper Clements Parks Society
• 6.7 Playground Equipment – Former Saint-Albert Elementary School
MOVED BY Councillor Danny and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED
(b) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc asked for any declarations of conflict of interest.
None declared.
3) Presentation
3.1 Update on the Richfield Fire Department – Havelock and Hectanooga Fire Departments
In response to the Municipality’s request into scenarios for the provision of fire service should Council choose to close the Richfield Fire Department, Laurie Moses, Fire Chief of the Havelock Fire Department, presented a proposal to take over the area in question. In exchange for this added coverage, the Havelock Fire Department is requesting the following:
1) That the Havelock tanker truck be replaced with a new pumper/tanker in place of Richfield’s truck as was recommended by the Vehicle Assessment Report;
2) That they receive an additional $500 per year in their operating budget for expenses related to covering the Richfield fire district;
3) That they receive the contents and equipment from the Richfield Fire Department.
The Havelock Fire Department has contacted the Carleton Fire Department and a new mutual aid agreement for Havelock, Richfield and Carleton is now in place.
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc clarified that the Havelock Fire Department is not asking for two new trucks. Rather, they are asking to be moved to the position currently earmarked for the Richfield truck on the replacement schedule. Shawn Craven of the Havelock Fire Department also mentioned that there had been some talk about the Hectanooga Fire Department taking on some of the Richfield district.
Gil Frechette of the Hectanooga Fire Department stated that Hectanooga had not been approached to cover the district and they had been waiting for the Municipality to host a meeting to discuss the possible outcomes.
Seeing as there has been some miscommunication between the fire departments and the Municipality, Warden LeBlanc recommended scheduling a meeting with the Havelock, Hectanooga and Richfield Fire Departments, as well as municipal and CFFA representatives.
4) Staff Reports
4.1 Financial Update – Director of Finance, Ginette Cheff
The Director of Finance provided an overview of the Municipality’s financial position. (See attached)
5) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.
6) New Business
6.1 Beach Access Project – Luke Boudreau Road
Luke Boudreau Road is used by many residents and university students to access the beach and was previously thought to have been included as part of the Municipality’s Beach Access Project. Unfortunately, it now appears to have been excluded in error. Councillor Thibault would like to see the road formally added as part of the project. Furthermore, he has spoken with the abutting landowners, both of whom are agreeable to the creation of a small parking lot at the end of the road near the beach. Although not currently maintained by TIR, the department has previously done some basic work to it. In light of this, Councillor Brian Comeau suggested approaching the department requesting they grade the road and create the parking lot. This notwithstanding, Council saw value in adding Luke Boudreau Road to the Beach Access Project and passed the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Hector Thibault and SECONDED BY Councillor Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend adding Luke Boudreau Road to the Beach Access Project.
MOTION CARRIED
6.2 Meteghan Family Park
Councillor Carl Deveau was approached by residents concerned with the behaviour of some older children at the park. The particular instance involved profane language and drug use. As a follow-up to this concern, the CAO will contact both park management and the RCMP to discuss possible solutions which may serve as a deterrent to this type of unwanted behaviour.
6.3 Invitation – Continuing Care Assistant / Home Support Worker Appreciation Day
The CAO read and invitation from Tonya Boudreau, Agency Director of the Digby/Clare Home Support Agency. (See attached)
6.4 Repairs to Roof – Meteghan Wastewater Treatment Plant
An invitational tender was issued for needed repairs to the roof of the Meteghan Wastewater Treatment Plant. Three bids were received. All were within budget. Following a review of these three bids, the CAO is recommending the tender be awarded to Jedco Construction Ltd. in the amount of $2,900 plus HST. Council passed the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend awarding the tender to re-shingle the roof at 8423 Highway 1, Meteghan, to Jedco Construction Ltd. in the amount of $2,900 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
6.5 Municipal Parking Lot – Maxwellton Road
The new Municipal parking lot on Maxwellton road is now complete. The CAO is looking for direction from Council to explore possible erosion control measures. Given this site is subject to large storm surges during the winter months, there is high risk of damage to the parking lot if left unprotected. Council agreed and asked the CAO to look into possible solutions and related costs.
6.6 Upper Clements Parks Society
Warden Ronnie LeBlanc attended a meeting at Upper Clements Parks with other wardens and mayors from Digby and Annapolis counties. The Upper Clements Parks are experiencing financial hardship which is putting the future of this popular venue and important economic generator in question. The Upper Clements Parks Society is asking these same wardens and mayors to issue a joint letter to the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia, requesting a meeting in Halifax to outline the financial challenges facing Upper Clements Parks and to discuss possible aid. Council agreed and passed the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Yvon LeBlanc and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend supporting the request of the Upper Clements Parks Society to have Warden LeBlanc, along with the other Wardens and Mayors in Digby and Annapolis counties, meet with the Premier of Nova Scotia, the Honourable Stephen McNeil, to discuss the Parks’ current financial situation and operational requirements moving forward.
MOTION CARRIED
6.7 Playground Equipment – Former Saint Albert Elementary School
The Meteghan Family Park has expressed an interest in the playground equipment of the former Saint-Albert Elementary School. The equipment remains in good condition and would be a welcomed addition to the Park. That said, there is a cost associated with removing and relocating this equipment. Unfortunately, no provincial grants are available at this time. Therefore, it is recommended that Council use the proceeds from the sale of the school to offset the costs associated with removing and relocating this equipment. Council passed the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Hector Thibault that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend putting the $15,000 non-refundable deposit from the sale of the former Saint-Albert Elementary School toward the cost of relocating the playground equipment from said school to the Meteghan Family Park.
MOTION CARRIED
7) Questions and Comments from the Public
Laurie Moses of the Havelock Fire Department wanted to clarify that after the public meeting in Richfield, he had mentioned to one of the members of the Hectanooga Fire Department that they would be having a meeting in May. The Hectanooga Fire Department was invited to the meeting but did not attend. Furthermore, Councillor Danny Hill confirmed that the lack of presence of Hectanooga was discussed at the last CFFA meeting and that they were invited but did not attend the meeting with Havelock and Richfield. Councillor Danny Hill and Warden Ronnie LeBlanc thanked Havelock and the CFFA for all their hard work on this issue.
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Sabrina Sturman, a new resident in Bangor, asked if consideration had been given to the age and circumstances of the children involved in the disturbance at the Meteghan Family Park. She stated that youth at risk is a significant issue for many municipalities, including Clare. Unfortunately, there are not many places in Clare for these children to meet and socialize with their friends. Ms. Sturman asked Council if this is something that will be considered in the upcoming Tourism Public Spaces Development & Improvement project.
Ms. Sturman also noted that she would like to see more public consultations in Clare.
Warden LeBlanc thanked Ms. Sturman for her comments.
8) Closed Session
None.
9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on November 6, 2019, at 7:00 pm.
10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Nil Doucet to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
Submitted by
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant