Municipal Council #2

Agenda for July 12 2010


Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaMeeting DateJuly 12, 2010Pause to Seek GuidanceApproval of the AgendaAdditions/DeletionsPresentationsApproval of MinutesMay 10, 2010Old Business /BusinessArising from Minutes# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0Other BusinessArisingWardenThurberDeputy WardenMacAlpineCouncillor GregoryCouncillor AmeroCouncillor Adams
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgenda
New Business#1ADEDAFunding Request-Investment Attraction Consulting Services - $ 3,000
#2Councillor AmeroWeymouth Street Signage Update
#3UNSMMunicipal Auditors Report-Inputrequested-Deadline Sept 13, 2010
#4Harold TheriaultFlat Iron Road
#5#6# 7# 8CorrespondenceReceivedInformation Only# 1 Digby and AreaCommunity HealthBoardCopy of letter to Minister of Healthconcerning the lack of Palliative Care beds in the District# 2 NS Labour & Workforce DevelopmentAmendments to the NS Building Code Regulations-September 1, 2010# 3 NS CommunityServicesAmalgamation of the Annapolis ValleyHousing Authority, the South Shore Housing Authority, and the Tri-CountyHousing Authority as the Western Regional Housing Authority#4CUPWCanadian Postal Service Charter and the Future
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaChief AdministrativeReportJuly, 2010Request for Decisions/DirectionMeeting Dates/RemindersAugust 23rd– Council @ 6:00 pm atCulloden Baptist ChurchSeptember 13th– COTW @ 6:00 pm at North Range Community HallSeptember 27th– Council @ 6:00 pm at Weymouth Waterfront LibraryDepartment Reports for May and June 2010AdministrationTaxationBuilding DepartmentBuilding PermitMunicipal Fire InspectorAirport/DispatchDispatch Call ReportAirport Statistical Dog Control ActivityDog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from PreviousmeetingsSpecial Projects UpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateJuly 8, 2010Notice of MotionIn-CameraContractual IssueAdjournment

Municipal Council Minutes

Minutes from May 10 2010


Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Thurber in thechair at 6:04 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Jim Thurber, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Linda Gregory, Councillor Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryPrayerWarden Thurber asked everyone to pause to seek guidance for the meeting.AgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved ascirculated.MOTION CARRIED

Hearings & PresentationsIan Russell – NovaScotia WeekMOVED and seconded that Mr. Ian Russell come before theCommittee to make a presentation on Nova Scotia Week.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Russell came before the committee to make apresentation on Nova Scotia Week. He gave a brief outlineof what took place during the trip to Scotland last year in which there were 42 delegates from Nova Scotia. There area number of benefits with bringing delegates from NovaScotia to Scotland and from Scotland to Nova Scotia. Onething that Mr. Russell would like to see in Digby is amanufacturing industry. It is a prime location with Digbybordering on the Bay of Fundy. In 2010, Mr. Russell would like to focus on tourism and
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia2promoting Nova Scotia as a destination. More specifically, he would like to promote Digby. He is currently working on bringing people into Digby with the goal of getting themto open businesses in this area. Mr. Russell is looking for representation from theMunicipality. The cost is $2,850 per person. Theorganization is a non-profit organization. He noted thatCouncillor Gregory did a great job last year representing theMunicipality.  Warden Thurber thanked Mr. Russell for the presentationand advised that this will be discussed by Council and notedthat there will be Council representation. Mr. Russell asked Council to check out the followingwebsite: www.helloscotland.comMinutesApril 13, 2010MOVED and seconded that the minutes of April 13, 2010 beapproved as circulated.MOTION CARRIED

Business Arising/OldBusinessWestern CountiesRegional Libraries –Personal EmergencySystemsWeymouth DrainageGrass Burning It was noted that the safety devices for the WesternCounties Regional Libraries do not rely on the cell phoneservice; therefore, should work fine in Weymouth. A quote will be received by the end of the month for thedrainage issue in Weymouth.  Deputy Warden MacAlpine would like to come up with a solution to the grass burning issue discussed at the lastCOTW meeting. It was suggested that Council reviewexisting bylaws from other Municipal Units to see how thisis addressed and discuss it at a Bylaw and Policy meeting. Deputy Warden MacAlpine noted that there is another unitwith a bylaw in place that addresses this, and another unitwith one in progress.  It was suggested to have this issue in the Coastline next
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia3spring.Other BusinessArising NILWarden Thurber No Business ArisingDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business Arising

New Business#1 UnsightlyComplaint – DerelictVehicles on DigbyNeck There was a discussion regarding derelict vehicles. It wasnoted that the price is high for scrap metal now so peopleare getting rid of it. There are people willing to pick up derelict vehicles for free; however, this would be hard tocoordinate. There was a discussion regarding theDangerous and Unsightly Act and how people can interpretunsightly premises differently. It was agreed to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Act to see if there is a way to tighten it up. If Council wishes tomake changes, a resolution should be taken to the UNSM atthe fall conference.  A letter will be sent back to the complainant advising ofCouncil’s plan to review the Dangerous and Unsightly Actand also advising that Council has addressed one of theissues outlined in the letter.#2 UnsightlyComplaint – Litter in Ditches There was a discussion regarding what can be done with thelitter in the ditches throughout the Municipality. It wassuggested that there be a detailed story in the June Coastlineon community pride. This article should make peopleaware of the By-law Enforcement Officer. This articleshould also make people aware of the program availablethrough Waste Check for groups who can receive funding inthe amount of $200 if they are willing to cleanup a 1 km
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia4section of highway.  It was noted that the suitcases and toilet that werementioned in the letter received must be addressed. Council will discuss the option of making property ownersresponsible for the ditches in front of their property at aPolicy and Bylaw meeting.#3 AirportSurveillance Camera –Quotes There was a discussion regarding replacing the surveillanceCamera that RCMP used to have at the Airport. Thecamera that had been there was able to rotate to view theDog Kennel and around to the runway. There is a camerathat would provide a view of the bus only, for a cost of $500 - $600. The Deputy CAO is recommending that acamera be installed like the one that was there previously so that the dispatchers have a view of vehicles and planes thatare coming and going. This is good for security at theAirport. This camera can also be accessed from homewhich would be good for being able to see the snowconditions for plowing in the winter.MOVED and seconded that Council accept the DeputyCAO’s recommendation to purchase a surveillance camerafrom Norm Levesque.MOTION CARRIED

#4 Digby CountyFamily ResourceCentre The Digby County Family Resource Centre is looking at thepossibility of having a Multi-purpose community centrebuilt in the area. They are looking for a letter of supportfrom Council so that they can move forward and hire aConsultant to have a feasibility study done. They are alsolooking to have representation from Council to sit on asteering committee.MOVED and seconded that Council send a letter of supportto Digby County Family Resource Centre for this project.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia5CorrespondenceRegion of Queens –Letter to Minister Jennex Re: MunicipalFinesMOVED and seconded that a letter be sent to MinisterJennex, carbon-copied to the Region of Queens supportingthe two recommendations outlined by the Region of Queens.MOTION CARRIEDChief AdministrativeReportBudget MeetingsMaud Lewis Site The CAO report dated May, 2010 was included in theCOTW Package. The CAO noted that she needs to have a couple extrabudget meetings in order to have the budget ready forapproval by the end of June. Council discussed possibledates. The CAO has emailed the person who had been lookingafter mowing the lawn at the Maud Lewis site last year.They plan to continue this year and it has been mowedalready. The CAO is expecting an answer in regards to thetiming of the signage on the site very shortly. Request for Decisions/DirectionDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for May 2010 was included in themeeting package.There were questions regarding theowner unknown properties. It was explained that anyowner unknown properties have to be offered to NaturalResources before the Municipality can do anything with them. There was also a question regarding the redemptionperiod for the 2010 tax sale. The redemption period for the2010 tax sale ends on September 13, 2010.

Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for May 2010 was includedin the meeting package. There was a discussion regarding the rags that arecontinually being found in the pump and what can be doneabout it. The Deputy CAO advised Council that he recentlyfound out that diapers that are flushed can appear to be ragsafter they go through the system.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesMay 10, 2010Seabrook, Nova Scotia6 Council felt there is a need for education in this area.Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for May, 2010 was included inthe meeting package. There was a question regarding thenumber of calls received. The Deputy CAO is going toreview these numbers with the person who prepared thereport.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for May2010 was included in the meeting package.Coordinator ProgramDevelopmentN/AOther BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdateThe Strategic Priorities update for April 30, 2010 was sent outprior to the meeting.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGalleryN/AAdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:30PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK

Opposition to Fish Farms

By Tina Comeau

SOU’WESTER



Plans to locate two Atlantic salmon aquaculture farms off the eastern shore of Long Island, N.S. have generated opposition from fishermen and local residents.

Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd., the farming division of Cooke Aquaculture, submitted an application in March to locate two aquaculture sites in Freeport and Grand Passage, off Digby Neck. The company wants to set up two salmon farms with 12 pens each, however it is also exploring whether these sites would be suitable for Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). The company says this is the practice of growing extractive species – commonly mussels and kelps – which act as natural filters alongside fed species like salmon.

The fish farms would each be 42-hectares and would house two million salmon, but the company notes that is the total lease size. It says the salmon pens are a small part of the overall area. According to the company, the entire lease site encompasses the area where the mooring lines for the pens would go. It says fishermen can still come into this area to set traps.

The sites, the company says, would create approximately 20 direct jobs at the farms, and many more indirect spinoff jobs in areas of feed production, trucking, maintenance and site repairs, restaurants and hatcheries.

But lobster fishermen in the area worry about the loss of fishing grounds and also about the impact on the lobster resource.

At a meeting of the Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 34 Advisory Committee in June, lobster fisherman Sheldon Dixon of Tiverton said that 100 per cent of their fishermen were against the proposed fish farms a year ago and nothing over the past year has changed their minds.

“Because of the pollution, because we can’t chance losing our livelihood,” Dixon said as reasons why they don’t want to see the fish farms in their area. Dixon also raised concern over lobsters eating the feed that is used in fish farm operations. “Do we want to be marketing lobsters that are eating this? That’s just what we need with a $3.75 lobster.”

“I really think this project has gone way too far, too early,” added Meteghan fisherman Roger LeBlanc, a port rep on the LFA 34 Advisory Committee. “The government of Nova Scotia and DFO don’t even have science on this . . . Nobody has answers for this.”

Other fishermen at the LFA meeting questioned if there has been a social-economic study carried out. Does anyone know what the impact will be of less lobsters caught in this area? Or is it just assumed the lobsters will be caught elsewhere?




A group called Save Our Bays has also been established and has formed a Facebook group. A posting on that site at the time of the Sou’Wester’s deadline noted a petition against the fish farms with more than 400 signatures had been forwarded to the province’s fisheries and aquaculture minister, along with others.

In addition to concerns over lost fishing grounds and lobster quantity and quality, some other concerns include the disposal of waste, the presence of chemicals and pesticides, and the adverse impact on eco-tourism.

Representatives of Cooke’s Aquaculture were at the LFA 34 meeting to talk about their plans and to try and alleviate concerns that fishermen have. Company representatives have also met with individual fishermen and community members and say they are willing to meet with anyone who has questions about their plans.

“We thought we had a productive committee established with the Brier Island group, including representation from the lobster fishery, however they recently informed us they no longer wish to meet with us. We have to respect their decision, but we’re disappointed,” Chuck Brown, communications manager for Cooke Aquaculture told the Sou’Wester. “We meet with other marine users in all the areas in which we operate. For example, in New Brunswick we meet regularly with fishermen to discuss concerns, anticipate potential conflicts and attempt to find the best ways to cooperate and share the marine resource.”

The company says it will give anyone interested in learning more about salmon farming tours of their operations.

Asked about the concerns being raised by lobster fishermen, the company says the last thing it wants to do is negatively impact the lobster industry.

“Many of our managers and workers are former lobster fishers and have family members who fish today. We all live and work in the communities in which we operate and we know we all have to get along,” said Brown.

In New Brunswick, the company says salmon farmers and lobster fishers have worked together to reduce the loss of fishing grounds and fishermen regularly set traps within 10 to 20 metres of the cages.

“We have installed cages over the props on all of our service vessels to prevent entanglement with fishing gear and our site workers regularly help fishermen retrieve traps should they become entangled in mooring lines,” Brown explained.

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Pot Luck Supper!

10275 Hwy 217 in Rossway. Bring your favourite dish and a friend or neighbour! If you can't bring a dish, come anyway! There's always plenty of good food.

No More Summits in T.O.

No more G20 summits in Toronto: McGuinty
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 | 4:54 PM ETCanadian Press
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says that when it comes to future requests to hold a summit in Toronto, 'We've been there, done that.' (Canadian Press) Another G20 summit in Toronto? Thanks, but no thanks, says Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

The city is scarred by the experience of hosting a gathering of world leaders, when police arrested about 1,000 people in a massive crackdown after black-clad protesters rampaged through the city's core, McGuinty said Wednesday.

Asked if it was a mistake to hold the summit in Toronto, the premier didn't hold back.

"Well, let's put it this way: If the prime minister were to sit down and say, 'Can we host another G20 summit in Toronto?' We'd say — I think we'd all say — 'We've been there, we've done that, and thanks very much."'

It's important for global leaders to meet in person, but Toronto went through too much pain, he added.

"There's got to be a better way," McGuinty said. "I think it was very intrusive on life in Toronto. It did result in some fairly serious property damage."

"I also think that there was some tremendous psychological scarring because of what people saw on TV. Burning police cars is not something that anyone will forget for some time."

The violence led to a police crackdown and what's believed to be the largest mass arrest in Canadian history, surpassing even the October Crisis in 1970 when martial law was imposed.

The vast majority of those detained were released without charge within 24 hours, but about 250 people still face charges and more than a dozen remain in custody.

Confusion over expanded police powers
Civil rights groups have been calling for an apology from the government, as well as an independent inquiry into the mass detention of people and widespread use of police force during the June 26-27 summit.

McGuinty has also come under fire for failing to dispel widespread confusion about police powers during the explosive G20 protests.

Last week, the premier admitted to The Canadian Press that his government could have done a better job clarifying a law that many believed had temporarily expanded police powers to stop and detain people during the G20. But he rebuffed calls for an apology.

The regulation, passed June 2, decreed that all streets and sidewalks inside the summit security fence were a "public work" just like courthouses — meaning police could search people trying to enter the area.

But many believed police could arrest anyone who came within five metres of the fence and didn't provide identification.

Neither police nor the province set the record straight until the summit was over. In fact, both made comments about the necessity of such powers.

Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci insisted Wednesday that the government did clarify the law, but acknowledged it should have been "more aggressive" in getting the message out.

"I accept responsibility for that," said a subdued Bartolucci.

"There's absolutely no doubt there was that lack of clarity, and had we put out a statement immediately, we probably would have been able to handle this a little bit better."

The commissioner of community safety informed Toronto police Chief Bill Blair on June 25 — when news broke of the secret law — that there was some "ambiguity" about the new regulation, Bartolucci said.

"Chief Blair assured the commissioner that he would rectify the situation," he added.

It's a flimsy explanation for the fiasco, which saw journalists, civil libertarians and union activists detained without cause, said NDP critic Cheri DiNovo.

"I witnessed personally in my own neighbourhood in Parkdale, young people — just because they were young — being stopped, their backpacks being searched. This was way outside the security zone, way beyond any regulation," she said.

"But it all starts here. It all starts at Queen's Park and it all starts with Dalton McGuinty."

If the power to arrest people near the fence never existed, it's news to the courts that are going to be dealing with the prosecutions of protesters, the New Democrats said.

NDP staffers circulated copies of a bail agreement of protester David Vasey, who made headlines when he was arrested for refusing to show police his ID while walking near the security perimeter. It was the first time most had heard of the regulation, which expired June 28.

Vasey is scheduled to appear in court July 28.

The Opposition Conservatives dismissed calls for a public inquiry, saying there's "ample opportunity" for the police to conduct their own review.

The only inquiry that's needed is one that would examine how McGuinty mismanaged a regulation that was passed "under the cover of darkness of cabinet secrecy," said Tory critic Peter Shurman.

"That was never properly enunciated to the public, nobody knew it had even happened, and during the course of the events as they unfolded, we heard nothing from the Ontario government."


Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/07/07/g20-mcguinty.html#ixzz0t2oHgYTj

Send the Ships to Digby!

Saint John port may refuse cruise ships
Port Authority says government funding is needed to upgrade facilities
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 2:14 PM AT Comments28Recommend16CBC News
Saint John may have to start turning away cruise ships as early as next year unless it lands new government funding, according to the Saint John Port Authority.

The port authority is looking to expand and refurbish some of its terminals in order to keep up with bigger cruise ships, a project that is estimated to cost $18.6 million.

Stephen Campbell, the chairman of the Saint John Port Authority, said they are in talks with government officials now and he hopes an announcement will be made within the year. But if the port is unsuccessful in tapping into any government funds it may need to turn away cruise ships.

"We need a commitment to infrastructure regardless of what government comes in and we need that soon," Campbell said.

"Next year, we will be in the dubious position to say to cruise ships that bring in over 200,000 passengers to southern New Brunswick that we might not be able to accommodate you. And the reason for that is that these ships are getting bigger and they're getting longer. "

The port authority is asking for $4.6 million from each level of government to complete the project.

Port money
The Saint John Port Authority had been the only Canadian port not to receive federal infrastructure funding before Tuesday.

However, the provincial government committed to invest $700,000 to refurbish Rodney Terminal this summer. That investment will cover half of the project's total cost.

"This project will help the Port of Saint John provide even better service to the many shipping and trucking companies that depend on the port for business," said Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty in a statement.

A news conference was held on Tuesday to indicate that tenders have been issued for the work but the provincial funding was announced by Premier Shawn Graham on June 10.

Campbell said the infusion of provincial money will help the port authority fund its needed upgrades but it is still not enough.

"We were very appreciative of the announcement [Tuesday] but we've got to go to this next step,' Campbell said.

"We're looking to the provincial and the federal government to step in and support this vital industry ... that to date they have not contributed to."


Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/07/06/nb-saint-john-port-142.html#ixzz0t2nXZvRc