Digby Municipal Council Minutes

Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 9, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Gregory in thechair at 6:03 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present:Linda Gregory, WardenJimmy MacAlpine, Deputy WardenRandall Amero, CouncillorDavid Tudor, CouncillorStaff present:Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative OfficerGordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative OfficerCora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryRegrets:Maritza Adams, CouncillorPrayerWarden Gregory asked everyone to pause to seek guidance forthe meeting. AgendaWarden Gregory added Medical Students as New Business# 2. Deputy Warden MacAlpine added an item to InCamera.MOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved asamended.MOTION CARRIEDHearings & PresentationsBob Sweeney – DigbyMunicipal FireAssociationMOVED and seconded that Mr. Bob Sweeney from theDigby Municipal Fire Association come before the committee to make a presentation.MOTION CARRIEDMr. Sweeney thanked Council for the opportunity to speakto Council. Mr. Sweeney would like to see a feasibilitystudy done. The Municipality of Clare went through theprocess of a feasibility study and the fire service has done
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 9, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia2great since.A question and answer period followed Mr. Sweeney’spresentation. Council asked whether the Association is also looking into a sustainability study as well. Council madethe comment that if the feasibility study went forward, itwould review the sustainability of all fire departments. Itwas also discussed that perhaps it might be easier to recruit volunteers if the gear and equipment were updated. It wasnoted that there might be a possibility that some firedepartments might shut down as a result of the feasibilitystudy. Council advised the Association that they need toknow what it is they would like to get from the study, theTerms of Reference.Warden Gregory asked that the departments introducethemselves and provided each department with a chance tospeak to Council on behalf of their department.There were 9 fire departments present. Chief Lee Wentzell,Digby Neck; Chief Walley Devries, Westport; Chief Gerald Moore, Freeport; Paulette Walker, Digby; Chief DarrylJelfs, Bear River; Chief Roy Mullen, Weymouth; ChiefRobert Sweeney, Plympton; Chief Dwayne Haight, Smith’sCove; and Chief Cromwell, Southville (late).The representatives from each department were given achance to speak. Comments from the departments included:Fire departments should maintain a certain level ofservice.Would like to see the Association be able to have thesame results as the Municipality of Clare.Would not want to lose any fire departments as aresult of the feasibility study.Fire departments are in desperate need of newequipment, vehicles and in some cases buildings.Doug Cromwell from Southville was late for the meeting and it was agreed to go on with other business until hearrived.MinutesApril 11, 2011MOVED and seconded that the minutes of April 11, 2011 beapproved as circulated.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 9, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia3Business Arising/OldBusiness#1 Tax Exemption Request – Good Samaritan CommunityChurchThe CAO had been directed after the last meeting to contactthe Good Samaritan Community Church to see when theyintend to build their church. There has been no response.This item will be added to the next Council agenda.#2 Nova Scotians forEqualization FairnessDeputy Warden MacAlpine has no further information at this time, but will have it available for the May Councilagenda.Other Business ArisingDeputy WardenMacAlpineNo Business ArisingCouncillor AmeroNo Business ArisingCouncillor AdamsAbsent. Warden Gregory noted that Councillor Adams’mother-in-law passed away.Councillor TudorNo Business ArisingWarden GregoryNo Business ArisingNew Business#1 Digby Elementary– Funding Request –Ocean Blue Fun RunThe Ocean Blue Fun Run takes place in June.MOVED and seconded that the funding request for the Ocean Blue Fun Run be referred to the budget process.MOTION CARRIED#2 Medical StudentsA letter was received by Southwest Health asking if theMunicipality and the Town would consider offering medical students or residents bursaries while they are still inschool, in lieu of signing bonuses. For example, offer them$25,000 per year for the 4 years of medical school for a 4
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 9, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia4year return of service to Digby.It was mentioned that students need to be aware that theycould be working in Weymouth and Bear River as well. Warden Gregory will mention it.There was a discussion on the terms of the contract and theconsequences of students changing their mind and wanting to buy it out.MOVED and seconded that Council consider a medicalstudent bursary while they are still in school, which wouldequal half of $25,000 per year for 4 years.MOTION CARRIEDChief Administrative ReportThe CAO report dated May 9, 2011 was included in theCOTW Package.MeetingsThe By-law and Policy meeting on June 6, 2011 conflictswith FCM. It was agreed to hold this meeting on May 30, 2011 since there was no meeting scheduled for that date.Joshua Slocum MonumentMr. Hersey provided Council with some pictures of the Joshua Slocum monument as well as a quote for repairs.Council agreed that the costing was good for the repairs.It was agreed that permission must be obtained from theproperty owners to allow people to view the monument on the property as well as go on the property to fix it.Request forDecisions/DirectionNILDepartment ReportsTaxationThe Taxation report for April 2011 was included in the meeting package. Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection ReportThe Building Inspection report for April 2011 was included in the meeting package. Environmental ServicesThe Environmental Services report for April 2011 wasincluded in the meeting package.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 9, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia5Airport/DispatchThe Airport/Dispatch report for April 2011 was included inthe meeting package. Council discussed the possibility of having dispatch recruit additional business. The Deputy CAO advised that it hasbeen discussed. It could be handled in two ways; thedispatch supervisor could solicit customers, or electedofficials could approach the wardens of neighboring municipalities to see if there is any interest.MOVED and seconded that research be done in regards to a fee schedule and what levels of service could be offered bythe dispatch department at the Airport.MOTION CARRIEDDog Control Activityand Financial ReportN/ACoordinator Program DevelopmentThe Coordinator Program Development report for April2011 was included in the meeting package.Other BusinessN/ADigby Municipal FireAssociation –ContinuedMOVED and seconded that Mr. Doug Cromwell from the Southville Fire Department come before Council.MOTION CARRIEDMr. Cromwell provided Council with an overview of theresults of the feasibility study that was done in Clare. Therewas $1,000,000 borrowed over 10 years, which was used tobuy trucks, halls, and equipment for the departments mostin need. Council has the final decision on where the moneyis allocated. The fire area rate is used to pay off the loan.The feasibility study was hired out to a retired chief from another area. It was noted that the Digby Municipal Fire Associationwould have a majority vote after the feasibility study wascompleted.Warden Gregory thanked the Association for coming andpresenting to Council.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 9, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia6Updates fromPrevious meetingsThe updates from previous meetings were included in the CAO report.Special Projects UpdatesThe special projects updates were included in the CAOreport.Strategic Priorities UpdateN/ANotice of MotionN/AComments from theGalleryN/ARecessThere was a 5 minute recess before proceeding in camera.In Camera MOVED and seconded that the meeting proceed in camerato discuss a contractual issue.MOTION CARRIEDRegular session resumed.AdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 8:15 PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK