VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

October 1, 2001

 

 

            A meeting of Victoria County Municipal Council was held at the Court House, Baddeck, on Monday, October 1, 2001, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Warden Gerald Sampson in the Chair.

 

            Present were:

 

District #1 – Dan E. MacNeil

District #3 – Bruce Morrison, Deputy Warden

District #4 – John Graham MacInnes

District #5 – Gerald Sampson, Warden

District #6 – Lawrence Barron

District #7 – Wayne Budge

District #8 – Robert MacLellan

 

            Also present were:

 

Brian Trask, CAO

Heather MacLean, Recording Secretary

 

            Absent was:

 

District #2 – Shane Toms

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

            Warden Sampson called the meeting to order.

 

AGENDA/TIME TO ADJOURN

 

            The agenda was presented for approval.  The following items were added to the agenda:

 

 

It was moved by Deputy Warden Morrison, seconded by Councillor MacLellan, that the agenda be approved as amended.  Motion carried.

 

It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Councillor MacNeil, that the meeting adjourn no later than 7:30 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

Page 2, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, October 1, 2001

 

 

KEN HUNTER – INVERNESS-VICTORIA FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE

 

            Courtesy of Council was extended to Ken Hunter, President of the Inverness-Victoria Federation of Agriculture.   

 

            Mr. Hunter advised that the Inverness-Victoria Federation of Agriculture is the representative body for the agriculture industry in Inverness and Victoria Counties.  They are members of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, which is the main body representing agriculture in the province. The local Federation has a close relationship with Inverness County Council and wished to come to Victoria County Council to inform Council on the functions of the federation.

 

            The majority of the members of the Inverness-Victoria Federation of Agriculture are from Inverness County.  Mr. Hunter estimated that less than ¼ of their membership is from Victoria County.  There are 24 producers in Victoria County in the following agriculture fields:

 

Mr. Hunter provided Council with statistics on the various agricultural disciplines.  The lack of rain over the past season has proven a hardship on those involved in agriculture, particularly the dairy farmers.

 

A general discussion took place and Mr. Hunter answered various questions.  The Annual Meeting of the Inverness-Victoria Federation of Agriculture will be held on November 7, 2001, and Mr. Hunter advised that an invitation will be forwarded to Victoria County.

 

Mr. Hunter was extended a vote of thanks and he left at this time.

 

ANNE MACMULLIN – GROWING TOGETHER

 

            Courtesy of Council was extended to Anne MacMullin who was in attendance to make a presentation on “Growing Together Northside-Victoria”.

 

            Growing Together is a new service designed to improve the well being of children from birth to age six and their families.  This service became operational on April 1, 2001, and is being provided in Victoria County, as well as the Northside area of the CBRM. 

Page 3, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, October 1, 2001

 

 

            There are two Growing Together offices located in Victoria County – one in Baddeck for Baddeck & surrounding area and the other in Neil’s Harbour for the North of Smokey area.  Growing Together offers a family home visiting program and can assist families by providing information and support on prenatal care, child development, nutrition, etc.  There are community-based programs to complement the home visiting program.

 

            Growing Together has hired six (6) family home visitors – 2 in Neil’s Harbour, 2 in Baddeck and 2 in the Northside area.  Most of the referrals to he program come from the public health nurses, doctors, etc.  They work through area schools also.

 

            Ms. MacMullin answered various questions of Council.  She was extended a vote of thanks for her presentation and was excused at this time.

 

IN CAMERA

 

            Warden Sampson advised that Council would move In Camera.

 

            Council returned to regular session.

 

EXCUSED

 

            Councillor MacInnes was excused at this time.

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

 

            A Water Committee meeting was held prior to Council.  Mr. Trask reported on the meeting. 

 

            Council felt that the THM problem at the Dingwall Water System is not being addressed and something must be done in the short term to eliminate this problem. 

 

            It was moved by Councillor Barron, seconded by Councillor Budge, to proceed with the installation of a chlorine dioxide system for the treatment of the THM problem in the Dingwall Water System and this treatment unit be installed as soon as possible.  Motion carried.

 

            A meeting of the CED Committee was held this morning and recommendation forthcoming from this meeting is that Ross MacDonald, Director of Development, and two members of the CED Committee be authorized to attend the Conference on the 25th Anniversary of New Dawn Enterprises.  This conference is held in Sydney on October 25 and 26, 2001.

 

Page 4, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, October 1, 2001

 

 

            It was moved by Deputy Warden Morrison, seconded by Councillor Budge, that the Director of Development and two CED Committee Members be authorized to attend the Conference on New Dawn Enterprises.  Motion carried.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – HUNT OIL

 

            A public hearing will be held in Ingonish tomorrow regarding oil exploration.  A copy of a map indicating the Nova Scotia Onshore and Offshore Regions was distributed to each member of Council.  It was indicated that another hearing would be held at Memorial High School, Sydney Mines, on Wednesday, October 3, 2001.

 

ROAD NAME CHANGE

 

            Approval was received from both the Department of Transportation and Public Works and the Rural Cape Breton District Planning Commission for changing the name of a private road at Baddeck Inlet to “John Hughie’s Lane”.

 

            It was moved by Councillor Budge, seconded by Deputy Warden Morrison, that the road name change to “John Hughie’s Lane” be accepted.  Motion carried.

 

WHITE RIBBON CAMPAIGN

 

            Warden Sampson proclaimed November 25-December 6, 2001, as the White Ribbon Campaign in Victoria County and authorized the cost of $35 for materials for this campaign.

 

SNOW REMOVAL TENDERS

 

            Two tenders were received for snow plowing and removal from the Court House driveway, parking lot and sidewalk in front of the Court House and an hourly rate for sanding the Court House driveway and Baddeck Landfill Road.  They were as follows:

 

Barra Construction Ltd. -   $43.70 per trip

                                                $28.75 hourly rate for sanding

 

Baddeck Construction Ltd. -   $41.40 per trip

                                                $28.75 hourly rate for sanding

 

            It was moved by Councillor Budge, seconded by Councillor MacLellan, that the tender be awarded to the low tender, Baddeck Construction Ltd.   Motion carried.

 

MI’KMAQ HISTORY MONTH

Page 5, VICTORIA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, October 1, 2001

 

 

            October is Mi’kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia. 

 

            It was moved by Councillor MacNeil, seconded by Councillor Budge, that the County welcome advertisement in The Victoria Standard be changed in to next issue to recognize October as “Mi’kmaq History Month”.  Motion carried.

 

PARKING LOT

 

            Discussion took place on the Court House parking lot.  Brian Trask is to obtain prices for filling the potholes and extending the parking area.

 

DISTRICT #3

 

            It was moved by Deputy Warden Morrison, seconded by Councillor Budge, that a $300 sponsorship be approved for the Cape Breton West Midget AAA Hockey Club from the District #3 budget.  Motion carried.

 

DISTRICT #4

 

            It was moved by Deputy Warden Morrison, seconded by Councillor Barron, that a $200 sponsorship be approved for the Cape Breton West Midget AAA Hockey Club from the District #4 budget.  Motion carried.

 

DISTRICT #8

 

            It was moved by Councillor MacLellan, seconded by Councillor MacNeil, that $750 be approved for the Bay St. Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department for a student grant top-up and $400 be approved for the Golden Age Seniors Club from the District #8 budget and $100 be approved for the Golden Age Seniors Club from the District #7 budget.  Motion carried.

 

ADJOURN

 

            There being no further business, on motion of Councillor Barron, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.