A meeting of Town Council of the Town of Stewiacke was held on Thursday, November 27 th 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall, Stewiacke, Nova Scotia.

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1 A meeting of Town Council of the Town of Stewiacke was held on Thursday, November 27 th 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall, Stewiacke, Nova Scotia. 1. Call to Order Mayor Robinson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Attendance Mayor Wendy Robinson Deputy Mayor Creelman Councillor(s) Pam Osborne, Richard Patterson, Chad Ramsey, Russell Stoddart and Tracy Werenka Staff: Sheldon Dorey CAO 3. Approval of/amendments to Agenda On Motion of Councillors Osborne and Werenka it was moved that the agenda for be approved as presented. 4. Approval of Minutes a) October 23 rd 2014 On Motion of Councillor Werenka and Ramsey it was moved that the minutes of October 23 rd 2014 be approved as corrected. Page 1 bullet 3... should be August Minutes Page 4 last paragraph bullet should be 2 soldiers Page 4 bullet 12 Chief Gload... should be Gloade 5. Disclosure of Interest on agenda Items 6. Announcements/ Proclamation CAO Dorey reminds everyone that the Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled for December 9 th 2014 starting with an LED light exchange program at 6:15 p.m. followed by carolling, refreshments and a visit from Santa shortly after 7:00 p.m. 7. Presentations 8. Written Petitions and Communications a) Mike Allison Councillor Osborne informs members that Mayor Robinson and herself met with Mr. & Mrs. Allison and Ms. Killen after receiving Mr. Allison s letter. We covered a range of topics including the 2011/12Financial Indicators, the Towns Tax Rates, the possibility of moving forward with the proposed New Town Hall/ Library Page 1 of 6

2 building and how to promote and attract people and business to Stewiacke and the new Business Park. They complemented the Town on the efforts being made with the paving program, Cenotaph project and other items Council has approved; this is all positive. Town staffing levels were also discussed and the professional level of service provided by the staff. So some positive items but they are still nervous about taking on debt for a new Town Hall/Library building. Mayor Robinson added that the main message was the Towns Tax rates and debt service ratio. They would like to see the Town not move forward with this project at this particular time given what the Financial Indicators look like for the Town. Mayor Robinson suggested this data was a few years old and the next round of indicators should be more positive for the Town... again this is a snapshot of some indicators at a particular date! Councillor Patterson informed Council that Mr. Allison contacted him to discuss the letter and the Town Hall/Library project. He was advised there is opposition to this and it appears that Mr. Allison may be attempting to get a group together in opposition to the project... Mr. Allison was advised that they have my full support. Council agreed to receive the letter for information. On Motion of Councillors Werenka and Osborne it was moved that Council take a five minute recess at 7:15 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:20 p.m. 9. Business a) Selection of Deputy Mayor Mayor Robinson announces the order of business of Deputy Mayor selection. Councillor Ramsey was nominated by Councillors Stoddart and Osborne Councillor Ramsey declines the nomination. Councillor Creelman was nominated by Councillors Werenka and Patterson Councillor Creelman accepts the nomination. Mayor Robinson calls for nominations a second time. Mayor Robinson calls for nominations a third and final time. Hearing no further nominations, Mayor Robinson declares nominations closed. On Motion of Councillors Werenka and Stoddart it was moved that Councillor Creelman be appointed as the Deputy Mayor. Page 2 of 6

3 b) Appointment of Committee Members Mayor Robinson apologizes no material is available and states this item will be added to the December Combined agenda. c) Water Account Request for Write-off On Motion of Councillors Patterson and Ramsey it was moved that uncollectable water charge s, including interest, totalling $1, be written off. d) Civic Building... Moving Forward On Motion of Councillors Werenka and Osborne it was moved that Council continue moving forward with the Town Hall/ Library project at the old school site and have staff identify funds in the 2015 / 2016 budget process for the design stage of the project. In favor 6 Against 1 Motion carried e) Appointment of Fire Inspector On Motion of Councillors Werenka and Osborne it was moved that Council appoint Mr. Josh Chisling as Fire Inspector with the Town of Stewiacke. f) The Provincial Municipal Fiscal Review Members reviewed a staff report that outlined previous discussion held by Council in this regard. A discussion ensued related to the final response that Council would send to the UNSM; all agreed to support the document, but that it should be adopted by the Province in its entirety. On Motion of Councillor Werenka and Deputy Mayor Creelman it was moved that Council communicate its support for the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal Review Consultative Report as a complete package. 10. By-Laws and Policies a) Land Use by-law Amendment - Final Reading Mayor Robinson read the title "Land Use By-law Amendments" On Motion of Councillors Osborne and Werenka it was moved that Council approves the second and final reading of the rezoning amendment of the Land Use By-law as presented; and Further that Council advertize this By-law in accordance with sections 168 & 169 of the Municipal Government Act. Page 3 of 6

4 b) Vending By-law First Reading Mayor Robinson reads the title Vending By-law On Motion of Councillors Osborne and Stoddart it was moved that Council approves the first reading of the vending By-law as presented; and Further that Council advertize this By-law in accordance with sections 168 & 169 of the Municipal Government Act before bringing the By-law back for final reading. 11. Citizen Comments and Communications Colin Hawks, Brentwood Rd, Colchester County... Comments tonight are related directly to the Alton Gas Storage Project to which I am opposed. Residents living adjacent to the cavern site were never consulted Reviewed thousands of documents prior to drawing the conclusion to oppose the project Hydraulic Fracturing (fracking) is temporally banned in NS and this project practices similar methods to achieve its goal of creating caverns. Created a few short term jobs but nothing long term and sustainable, which is what Nova Scotians need Are fire departments and EMO organizations prepared if an accident occurs at this site? It is a possibility! What will occur with the site and caverns after the project reaches its useful life? This may not be a directly related to Stewiacke issue but Alton Natural Gas staff made a presentation to Council and we think that Stewiacke should be informed by us as well. There are a lot of items the regulatory people should consider prior to giving approval for projects to move forward. Informed everyone that a public meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 30 th at the South Colchester Academy starting at 2:00 p.m. and everyone is invited to attend... Thanks Mayor Robinson thanked Mr Hawks for his comments to Council tonight. Ms. Holly Chapman, resident of Stewiacke commenting on Town/Hall Library Surprised that Council decided to move forward with this project given all the concerns expressed by the residents of Town How longs would it be projected to pay the debt off associated with the project Have operational costs been determined and would the Colchester Library pay for their portion of the costs. Page 4 of 6

5 Does the 1.6 million budget have factors for contingency and if not the project could rise to over 2 million. How much will this project increase the debt to asset ratio and will the Town be in a position to address major infrastructure issues if one arose? And if not could or would this force amalgamation? Mayor Robinson thanked Ms Chapman for her comments to Council tonight. 12. Mayors Report Like to start by congratulating Deputy Mayor Creelman on her second term as Deputy Mayor and thanking her for the efforts put forth this past year. November 14 th 2014 attended the meet and greet with the new CAO of Truro, Mr. Mike Dolter. Attended a meeting with the Truro Chamber of Commerce where I learned that Michelin Development Nova Scotia, the Bergengren Credit Union, CBDC Guysborough and CBDC Northern Opportunities for Business Ltd. have partnered to foster economic development in Colchester, Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough Counties. Each making 2 million dollars available for businesses in the area to borrow to help keep the communities viable and vibrant. Small business can apply for loans up to $300, Councillor Osborne and I met with 3 residents regarding the Town Hall/ Library building and Financial Indicators. Attend a session meeting hosted by Millbrook First Nations related to their Wind Tower Project November 24 th started the CAO review process Looking forward to the Firemen s 100 dollar fund raiser event Looking forward to the Council / Staff Christmas Function on December 6 th and the tree lighting event on December 9 th 13. Councillors Report Deputy Mayor Creelman thanked Councillors for their confidence in her and for the appointment as Deputy Mayor. Councillor Osborne advised members that she attended the last Library Board meeting and the annual report is out and the Town should soon get a copy. The Province is looking at how funding for Library s is approved and have established a committee to review this matter. All Councillors should be receiving a copy of a survey they will be sending around. 14. In Camera Session 15. Notice of Motion and Reconsideration Page 5 of 6

6 16. Adjournment The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:50 pm Read and approved this 18 th day of December Mayor CAO Page 6 of 6