Municipal Council Minutes

Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Gregory in thechair at 6:01 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Linda Gregory, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, Councillor David Tudor, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryPrayerWarden Gregory asked everyone to pause to seek guidance forthe meeting.AgendaCouncillor Adams added New Years Levy as New Business #7.MOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved asamended.MOTION CARRIEDHearings & PresentationsGreg Roach, AssociateDeputy Minister Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture Councillor Gregory introduced Mr. Greg Roach, AssociateDeputy Minister from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture who would be making a presentation. Also present to answer any questions that may arise were Mr. Marshall Giles, Director of Aquaculture, Dr. Toby Balch, Manager of Aquaculture Development, Dr. Roland Cusack,Fish Health Veterinarian, Chuck McKenna, Manager ofAquaculture Policy and Licensing, and Celeste Sullivan,Communications Director.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia2MOVED and seconded that Mr. Greg Roach, AssociateDeputy Minister from the Department of Fisheries andAquaculture come before the committee to make apresentation.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Roach began the presentation by outlining the varioustypes of aquaculture that are happening in Nova Scotia.The growth area that has been happening globally is fromfish farming, the wild fish have hit a plateau. Mr. Roachoutlined the governance that is in place, the value ofproduction in several provinces in Canada including NovaScotia, and outlined some important aquaculture facts. Amap was presented which showed a footprint of the areathat the cages occupy. It was noted that the cages actuallyonly occupy about 25 percent of the area that is leased.Opportunities were outlined associated with the fish farming industry. Mr. Roach also reviewed the applicationprocess.  A question and answer period followed the presentation.There was a question regarding the frequency of audits orinspections of the farms. It was noted that the farms aremonitored every year. Farmers are required to have a third party review done to be forwarded to the Department ofFisheries and Aquaculture. There was a question regardingthe regulations of fouling. The Department has workedwith fish farms to move locations if there were any issues.There is a fouling program in place in New Brunswick which has been the result of problems with fish healthissues. There isn’t a regulatory rule for how much fish areallowed in the cages. Marine visits are done monthly and there is a fish health checkup which is not a regulatoryfunction, but something that is done. Each site is differentbased on current and water temperature. The Westport sitehas been there 12 years without fouling. There was asample done in Westport last summer and there has been noindication of a problem. That site has been sampled since2004. There was a question regarding the number of jobsproduced in regards to the farms. Mr. Roach explained thatthere is a larger amount of jobs in areas that can supporttheir own processing plant. Councillor Tudor will forward
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia3additional questions to the Department. Warden Gregory thanked everyone for coming and also introduced theCouncillors and staff representatives from the Town ofDigby as well as the representative from the RegionalDevelopment Authority. Recess There was a short recess before continuing with thebusiness.MinutesDecember 13, 2010MOVED and seconded that the minutes of December 13, 2010 be approved as circulated.MOTION CARRIEDBusiness Arising/OldBusiness#1 Street LightRequest – 38 Old Route # 217 Loop A request has been received to add a streetlight to 38 OldRoute #217 Loop which is the last pole on the road. Thisroad is a dead end road, and with no light at the end it posesa safety concern. The streetlight policy has been written forthe safety of pedestrians and traffic.MOVED and seconded that a streetlight be installed at 38Old Route #217 Loop Road. There was a concern that if a similar request comes inwhich was for a non-street lighting area that Council mayhave set a precedent by making this decision. It was notedthat this decision does not set a precedent.MOTION CARRIED#2 FCM Farewell to NS Breakfast The CAO outlined the different sponsorship levels for theFCM Farewell to NS Breakfast. MOVED and seconded that Council sponsor the FCMFarewell NS Breakfast at the bronze level.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia4#3 Relocation of Land Registration Office –Letter of Responsefrom Minister Jennex An update was given in regards to a meeting that had takenplace to discuss the relocation of the Land Registration Office in Weymouth. One major concern that came up wasthe concern of employees being left alone. They had tried cross-training but that didn’t work out well.  It was mentioned that in Clare there are petitions in a number of businesses to save the Deeds Office inWeymouth. There were some petitions from Digby as welland they will be presented all at once in Halifax. WardenGregory stated that it was a positive meeting, but there wassome concern from Council that the decision has beenmade.Other BusinessArising NILDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business ArisingCouncillor Tudor No Business ArisingWarden Gregory No Business ArisingNew Business#1 Brier Island Chamber of Commerce – Philip Halliday There was a discussion regarding the request from the BrierIsland Chamber of Commerce regarding the Philip Hallidaycase. Council stated that the case has not yet gone to courtand Council was concerned that Municipal governmentdoes not have a voice for international law. It wassuggested that Council could lobby the FederalGovernment.MOVED and seconded that the letter from Brier IslandChamber of Commerce be forwarded to Greg Kerr. A letter will also be sent to Brier Island Chamber of
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia5Commerce stating that the letter has been sent on to Greg Kerr.MOTION CARRIED#2 Admiral DigbyLibrary & HistoricalSociety – FundingRequestMOVED and seconded that the funding request from theAdmiral Digby Library and Historical Society be referredto the budget process.MOTION CARRIED The budget and amount being requested will be obtained.#3 IslandsConsolidated School –Funding RequestMOVED and seconded that the funding request from Islands Consolidated School be referred to the budgetprocess.MOTION CARRIED Warden Gregory explained the budget process to CouncillorTudor. #4 Trinity Anglican Church – FundingRequest Deputy Warden MacAlpine declared a conflict of interest.MOVED and seconded that the funding request from theTrinity Anglican Church be referred to the budget process.MOTION CARRIED#5 Digby Pines -TenderMOVED and seconded that a letter be written to theProvince of Nova Scotia outlining Council’s concerns withthe threat of the Pines being disposed of by the Province. It should also be noted that it is very vital to continue to ownand operate this facility as it is an asset to tourism.MOTION CARRIED#6 Warden Gregory –E-Cards Guysborough County has been sending e-cards at Christmastime and sending the funds saved to the Food Bank. It wassuggested that Council do the same; however, possiblychange where the donation would go on a yearly basis. Oneconcern that was raised was whether this decision would
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia6interfere with the local businesses. It was noted that thecards are not being purchased locally as they are pre-printed. Another suggestion was made to do the e-cardsand pass the savings on to the tax payers.  Council will decide every November prior to sending outthe e-cards where the money will be donated.MOVED and seconded that Council start sending e-cardsfor Christmas beginning in 2011.MOTION CARRIEDNew Years Levy It was noted that the Town of Digby has been doing a NewYears levy periodically. It was suggested that theMunicipality do it as well and possibly alternate with theTown every other year. MOVED and seconded that a letter be written to the Townof Digby asking if they would be interested in alternating every other year for a New Years Levy.MOTION CARRIEDTri-County SchoolBoard – Education Cuts It was mentioned that Tri-County Regional School Boardsent out a letter to all parents to see what cuts they could live with. A big cut will be coming over the next threeyears. It was noted that if they removed everything on thelist sent out to parents, they would not be able to achievethe 22 percent they are looking for.Chief AdministrativeReportMunicipal Office –Open HouseHerring WorkersProgramSigns – Transfer Station The CAO report dated January 10, 2011 was included in theCOTW Package. There will be an open house at the Municipal Office onFriday, January 14, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. The Herring Workers Program was non-successful.  There was a concern with the signs that have been placed bythe transfer station. The signs have a picture only, and people may not know what they mean. It was suggested
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia7that an article be placed in the Coastline with a picture ofthe signs and a description of what they mean.Request for Decisions/DirectionAppointment of CathyBarr as a MunicipalBuilding Inspector MOVED and seconded that Council appoint Cathy Barras a Municipal Building Inspector.MOTION CARRIEDDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for December 2010 was included in themeeting package. Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for December 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package. Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for December 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package. Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report forDecember 2010 was included in the meeting package. Coordinator ProgramDevelopmentN/AOther BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdateN/ANotice of MotionN/A
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesJanuary 11, 2011Seabrook, Nova Scotia8Comments from theGallery The meeting was opened up to the gallery for questions.There were no questions.In CameraMOVED and seconded that the meeting move in camera to discuss a contractual issue.MOTION CARRIEDRegular session resumed.AdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 8:15PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK

Municipal Council Agenda

Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaMeeting DateFebruary 14, 2011Meeting LocationCouncil ChambersCall to OrderWarden Pause to Seek GuidanceWardenApproval of the Agenda Additions/DeletionsPresentationsApproval of Minutes January 11, 2011Old Business /Business Arising from Minutes# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0Deputy Warden MacAlpineCouncillor AmeroCouncillor AdamsCouncillor TudorWarden Gregory
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaNew Business#1Tri County Regional Science Fair – March30, 2011 Funding Request#2Women In LocalGovernment BursaryProgram Funding Request#3James Hazelton Letter of Support#4Southwest Nova Biosphere ReserveAssociation Funding Request#5Deputy WardenMacAlpine Flight of Fancy#6Southwest African Heritage Month CommitteeSouthwest African Heritage Month Dinner& Dance Gala Feb 26th$ 160.00 table of8 #7Councillor TudorJoshua Slocum Monument on BrierIsland – Repairs#8Councillor TudorRequest for Free Ferry Usage for RetiredFerry Employees#9Councillor TudorSandy Cove School - FencingCorrespondence ReceivedInformation Only# 1 Buy Back NS Update# 2Councillor Jean Brittain  Medical Students visit# 3Career & Options Fair February 16, 2011
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgenda#4Chief AdministrativeReport February 14, 2011Request for Decisions/DirectionMeeting Dates/RemindersDate & TimeMeetingLocationFeb 21, 2011No MeetingFeb 28, 2011CouncilCouncil ChambersMarch 7, 2011By-law & PolicyMunicipal BoardroomMarch 14, 2011COTWCouncil ChambersDepartment Reports for January 2011 Administration Taxation Building Department Building Permit Municipal Fire Inspector Airport/Dispatch Dispatch Call Report Airport Statistical  Dog Control Activity Dog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from PreviousmeetingsSpecial ProjectsUpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateNotice of Motion
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaIn-Camera Contractual IssueAdjournment

Posts on this Blog

Posts on this blog may be something the blogger has read and posted here. On the other hand, posts may have been sent in by other people. The posts contained on this blog may or may not be the opinion of the blogger. No posts are meant to attack an individual personally, or the business they happen to be running. Although there may be posts with with concerns about environmental concerns about big business endeavours and with political ethics and democratic process, the posts are never meant to attack or to harm individuals. The overriding intent of posts here is to educate about care and concern for our world and the diversity of nature that sustains it and gives it value, and provides us with the quality of life that is deeper than dollars in the bank. Indeed the environment and nature is like dollars in the bank, as that is what will save us in the end, from destroying the bed we sleep in.
All posts on this blog can be considered "opinions". Differing opinions are welcomed. *Positive* posts about our world and how we are doing good in it, as opposed to destroying it, are especially welcomed. Please send posts to kathleen1954@auracom.com

Blogger's note: I canvassed Digby downtown shops about painting the storefronts with bright colours, considering the attraction Lunenburg has with its colourful waterfront buildings. The photos of that colourful waterfront are in almost every magazine and draw tourists from all over the world to that town. Look at the acclaim that Lunenburg has! That town draws visitors from all over the world to see it's colourful waterfront. People love colour!

NS: Nova Scotia destinations voted tops by Trip Advisor


The Daily Business Buzz

[HALIFAX, NS] — Halifax and Lunenburg are among the top destinations in the country in the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards for 2010.

Halifax was listed in the top 10 of the Top 25 Destinations in Canada. Halifax and Lunenburg were also voted among the Top 10 Culture and Sightseeing Destinations.

"We are very proud that Lunenburg and Halifax have been chosen for these prestigious awards by real travellers from around the globe," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "These visitor reviews prove that Nova Scotia is creating amazing experiences across the province that are considered among the best in the country."

Reviewers on TripAdvisor remarked on the rich history in Halifax, best seen on foot. They noted the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, the view from the 18th-century Citadel National Historic Site and the Halifax Public Gardens as "don't miss" highlights. The site also mentions Halifax's great bars, restaurants and live music.

The Town of Lunenburg is noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and featured for its "colourful galleries and shops, arranged on a tidy grid of walkable streets."
TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards are based on millions of real reviews and opinions from travellers on TripAdvisor.com. The winners were determined by a combination of travellers' destination comments, favourite places and overall destination popularity on the site.

TripAdvisor.com is the world's largest travel website. It attracts 40 million monthly visitors and has become a trusted source for travellers.

The department is working with tourism operators to integrate TripAdvisor into novascotia.com.

SW Nova Scotia: Cranberry dreams

NS: Climate study could boost Southwest Nova's marketability


Information such as frost free dates, light intensity and frequency of fog would be included in a proposed climate data study for Southwest Nova. — Carla Allen photo
Published on February 7, 2011
Published on February 7, 2011
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Topics : College of Geographical Sciences , Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture , Southwest Nova.Recognizing , Shelburne , Lunenburg
[YARMOUTH, NS] — Show us the numbers. Businesses considering major agricultural investment want cold, hard facts before they plunk upwards of $30,000 per acre to develop crops like cranberries in Southwest Nova.

Recognizing the need, CBDCs in Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg are trying to get a three-year climate data project off the ground.

“One of our biggest issues of trying to attract developers from outside the region is that agriculture is very much a science nowadays and climate plays a critical role with regard to production,” said Yarmouth CBCD executive director Chris Atwood. “Every time we had developers come down, they’d ask specific questions regarding specific areas. Apart from very general climate information we couldn’t give them the information they needed — frost free dates, light intensity — we are noted to be a foggy region but it varies the further inland you go,” he said.

The $225,000 project will incorporate 42 climate data loggers set up in the region.

Some municipal units have stepped forward, and Economic Rural Development, Agrifutures, the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and ACOA are also contributing.

Atwood says CBDC is still working with letters of offers from some funding partners.

The project would be based on a similar one that engaged the College of Geographical Sciences for the grape growers association.

“We’re looking at what they did and tailoring it for this end of the province. Once you’ve got the climate data study, you can market the region to potential developers,” said Atwood. “Our desire as a community economic development agency is to see business grow here. We see certain types of agriculture, like specialty crops, as holding potential for this region.”

Digby has a Title Rival

Victoria deemed Canada's most 'romantic' city


By Derek Abma, Postmedia News February 8, 2011 Comments (10)
StoryPhotos ( 1 )

Love Michael Buble? Romance novels, too? Amazon.ca says Victoria may be the city for you.Photograph by: Lucas Jackson, ReutersA new list of the Top 20 romantic cities in Canada makes no mention of the honeymoon capital of the world, Niagara Falls, nor any place where French, "the language of love," is the native tongue.


Instead, Victoria has been named by online retailer Amazon.ca as the most romantic city in Canada. And by "romantic," Amazon means this is the city with at least 100,000 residents that has the highest per-capita rate so far this year of purchasing items such as romance novels, sex or relationship books, romantic-comedy DVDs and Michael Buble CDs.


"Victoria proves brains are sexy, too, not only earning the honour of all-around Most Romantic City 2011, but also as the biggest consumer of romantic books," Amazon said of the British Columbia capital in a statement.


None of the country's three biggest cities — Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver —made the list. And there was no representation from any provinces east of Ontario, including Quebec.


Niagara Falls is technically out of the running, because its population is less than 100,000. Other Ontario cities, however, dominate the Top 20 list, with 11 of the spots.


Rounding out the Top 5 were Guelph, Ont., Calgary, Saskatoon (last year's most romantic) and the Toronto suburb of Oakville, Ont.


National capital Ottawa barely made the cut at No. 20. It was upstaged by its suburb, Nepean at No. 9, which technically has been part of the municipality of Ottawa since 2001.


Looking at how some of the other major Canadian cities fared, Regina was sixth, Winnipeg was 11th and Edmonton was 13th.


Places such as Nepean, Calgary and Kingston, Ont. (seventh), were noted for their love of romantic-comedy DVDs. Calgary had a Top 3 ranking in all categories.


Amazon said Brantford, Ont. — hometown of Wayne Gretzky — was the top purchaser of Michael Buble CDs, but that was not enough to put it among the Top 20 overall in terms of romantic cities.


Asked for her opinion on the rankings, Stacey Espino, a Barrie, Ont., writer whose erotica books are carried by Amazon, said by email: "I've been to many of the cities listed. Being an erotic romance author living in Ontario, Canada, I'd like to think it's accurate."


Espino said crime, pollution and economic issues perhaps make Canada's bigger cities less romantic.


Eve Langlais, another Ontario-based writer of erotica — whose work is not available though Amazon — wrote: "In my opinion, the most romantic city happens to be whatever one you find yourself happiest with your partner. For me, it's Bowmanville, Ont., with my husband of over 11 years. I'm not the adventurous type in real life, even if my writing is. LOL."


dabma@postmedia.com

A Food Policy for Nova Scotia?

From the Valley-Lois

NOVA SCOTIA FARMLAND REZONED FOR DEVELOPMENT – February 1, 2011



On February 1st, Kings County Councillors voted 6 to 5 in favour of destroying 380 acres of farmland in Greenwich of the Annapolis Valley. Media attention is indicating that our Provincially-elected leaders "will likely not be intervening" in this vitally important rezoning Issue!



WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!



The loss of farmland in the Valley is not only a local matter. It is a Provincial issue. All Nova Scotians should have the option of buying locally-produced food. We must demand that the Province, who will be making a final decision within the next 30 -60 days on this rezoning, reject it and, instead, establish a strong policy to protect our farmland and our food security. Now is your chance to make a real difference or these rezoning requests for destroying our farmland will never end.



The Province needs to hear from lots of citizens on this issue. Send a strong message and please do it soon.



Here are some key points to make:



Ask that your government establish a Food Policy for Nova Scotians so that your food security is protected.



Demand that locally-grown foods be more readily available to all citizens, rural and urban.



Demand the rejection of the Greenwich rezoning amendments because this loss to our irreplaceable rural infrastructure- needed to produce healthful, local foods - is not acceptable.



Demand that your government adopt the recommendations of the Agricultural Land Review Committee and establish a Farmland Preservation Policy for Nova Scotia immediately.



Remind the Province that sustainable rural communities provide opportunities for long-term "green jobs" for a new generation of farmers.



WHO YOU CAN WRITE TO: (Please send a copy of your letter to each contact listed below including your own area MLA). Consider sending us a copy.



Premier Darrell Dexter

(email) premier@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) Office of the Premier, P.O. Box 726, Halifax N.S. B3J 2T3



Minister John MacDonell, Dept of Agriculture and Municipal Affairs

(email) MIN_DAG@gov.ns.ca and SNSMRMIN@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) P.O. Box 2223, Halifax, N.S. B3J 3C4



Deputy Minister Richard Williams, Office of Policy & Priorities

(email) williarm@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) 1700 Granville Street, 3rd Floor, One Government Place, Halifax,

N.S. B3J 1X5



Minister Stirling Belliveau, Department of Environment

(email) min_env@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) P.O. Box 442, Halifax, N.S. B3J 2P8



Minister Percy Paris, Dept. of Economic & Rural Development and Tourism

(email) econmin@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) Centennial Building, 1660 Hollis Street, P.O. Box 2311, Halifax,

N.S. B3J 3C8



Minister Charlie Parker, Department of Natural Resources

(email) min_dnr@gov.ns.ca

(mailing) 3rd Floor, Founder's Square, 1701 Hollis Street, Halifax, N.S.

B3J 2T9



Beth Densmore, President of N.S. Federation of Agriculture

(email) bdensmore@nsfa-fane.ca

(mailing) 332 Willow Street, Truro, N.S. B2N 5A5




Contact for your MLA:



See: http://nslegislature.ca/index.php/people/members/




What Councillors voted in favour of supporting:



Ø The removal of 380 acres of farmland in Greenwich for comprehensive residential and commercial development;

Ø The creation of another unnecessary "growth centre" in Kings County.



They did so despite:



v Never proving that any demand for such growth and development in Greenwich exists;

v Greenwich being one of the most successful agri-tourism destinations in the Province;

v There being thousands of available lots elsewhere in the county that are better suited for development without destroying farmland;

v Young farmers telling them that it is virtually impossible to locate fertile, affordable land to farm in Kings County;

v Noggins Corner Farm and Cosman & Whidden Honey expressing deep concerns that their businesses may be seriously jeopardized should development occur next to them in Greenwich;

v Overwhelming opposition to this rezoning proposal and demand for protection of farmland.



For more information: www.nofarmsnofood.ca

Contact us at: nofarmsnofood@gmail.com