Victoria County

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Published: Thursday, 09 April 2020 18:07

Victoria County Water Utility COVID-19 Update

The Victoria County Water Utility recognizes that access to a clean, safe water supply is very important to ensure personal health and maintain hygiene, and for the sanitation of health care facilities, businesses and households.• We are taking actions to protect the public, our employees while continuing to provide essential services to our customers during the pandemic.

• The Utility will be prioritizing services to ensure environmental and regulatory compliance is maintained for all supplies.
• New service installations and requests for water services to be turned on/off may be delayed and precautionary measures will be implemented for these services.
• To protect the public and our employees, public interactions will be limited for the duration of the COVID-19 response. Our response to non-essential inquiries may be delayed.

To help our customers, we are making the following temporary adjustments:

• We will be suspending disconnections for non-payment of service until July 31, 2020.
• Customers can choose to defer payment of their bills until July 31, 2020 (Please note: deferring payment will only put that payment off to a later date. To avoid a larger bill in the near future, make arrangements with us to pay something each month).
• Customers currently on pre-authorized payment plans, can request that automatic payments be suspended. They can return to the plan after July 31, 2020. Please call our office at 902-295-3669 to arrange. Interest will start accruing on August 1, 2020 on any amount that is in arrears as of August 1, 2020.

Customers experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 situation are asked please contact the Victoria County Water Utilities billing office at 902-295-3669 to discuss payment arrangements.

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Published: Thursday, 09 April 2020 10:08

MULTI-USE TRAIL CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

(FROM VICTORIA HIGHLAND CIVIC CENTRE TO THE OVERPASS)

With the COVID-19 restrictions on gathering and trail use, together with deteriorating conditions on the unfinished portion of trail, it has been decided to close the trail until the planned spring/summer work has been completed. In particular, the area around the brook is melting and the rain forecasted may make it unsuitable for use.

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Published: Wednesday, 08 April 2020 13:25

Stop Signs for Homes

The Municipality of the County of Victoria is providing residents with STOP signs for their homes.

They can be found in grocery stores around the county.

Copies that you can print at home are available here: Resident Stop Signs

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Published: Tuesday, 07 April 2020 15:10

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Published: Tuesday, 07 April 2020 14:17

Council Recap – April 6, 2020

The meeting took place via teleconferencing. It can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/8tN6t3KfinI
• Village of Baddeck Commissioner Bill Marchant spoke to council via teleconferencing from Vancouver to ask that the county support improvements to the Baddeck Community Wharf and waterfront in Baddeck. The proposal is from Develop Nova Scotia. Council agreed to fund $25,000 of the first phase, but did not commit to future support.
• Discussion took place during the Tax Update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic effects on tax collection. The Association of Municipal Administrators of Nova Scotia and the NS Federation of Municipalities are looking for a province wide solution to help provide relief on property tax payments. Meetings are ongoing.
• Municipal operations continue with a skeleton staff. Both recycling centres remain closed to the public.
• There are a few issues for the provincial department of Transportation, Infrastructure & Renewal around the municipality, mostly due to the disappearing snow and the time of year: signs down along roads in Washabuct/Iona; a manhole collapsing in Ingonish and potholes on the main street in Baddeck.
• Councillors expressed concern for residents and businesses in the tourism and fishing industries while the Covid-19 shut-down continues.
• Council commends all residents and businesses for following the provincial orders and staying home and closing their business doors. It has not been easy, but for the common good of all.
• Council extends thanks to all frontline workers who are keeping things running while the rest of us are sheltering at home. It was moved and seconded that each councillor will purchase small denomination gift cards from Tim Hortons, to be distributed as a way of thanks.
• Another council session will take place April 20, 2020, via teleconferencing. Minutes will be posted the following day at https://www.victoriacounty.com/2020-council-minutes.html

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Published: Tuesday, 31 March 2020 14:05

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Published: Tuesday, 31 March 2020 10:37

March 31, 2020
A few words from Warden Bruce Morrison:

On behalf of myself and Victoria County councillors, I would like to thank each and everyone of you.
The COVID-19 global pandemic has clearly changed the way we live our lives. Everyone, including the municipality, is figuring out how to make our world work in this new reality.
One thing is very clear: Victoria County residents and businesses are abiding by the public health protocols and making every effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus.We see it in the quietness of our communities and respect for social distancing in our public facilities.

This must continue; for our friends, our neighbours and for the future of our businesses. We need, now more than ever, to continue to follow the provincial rules. We are all in this together.
• Stay home. When you can get out for some fresh air, maintain physical distancing by maintaining a six-foot distance (the length of a hockey stick) between you and other people.
• When you get outside, stay in your own neighbourhood. Most trails are closed and the RCMP are monitoring these sites for those who are not following the provincial rules. Again, maintain a six-foot distance with other people.
• If you see someone who you believe is not self isolating, treat them with kindness. Perhaps they need help and are unsure where to turn. Offer to help find them the help they need. Direct them to the resources. There are ways to help from a distance.
• Get your information from reliable sources:
Federal Government: www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
Provincial Government: www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Victoria County: www.victoriacounty.com/covid-19/

Council commends Victoria County medical professionals, our doctors and nurses; our front-line grocery store workers and pharmacies staff, our janitorial and cleaning crews and others deemed essential by the province. These people are putting themselves at risk so that we can live in health.
Finally, thanks to our own municipal staff– from on-site Public Works staff and garbage collections crews to water utility operators and administration personnel, all are working hard to keep the municipality running in these extraordinary circumstances.

Sincerely,
Warden Bruce Morrison & Victoria County Councillors

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Published: Thursday, 26 March 2020 08:00

Update from the Emergency Council Session March 25, 2020

The meeting took place via teleconferencing. Here is the link to a video of the meeting: https://youtu.be/UwKcIB4Ja8o.
• Council approved the Pandemic Preparedness Plan for the continuation of essential operations during a pandemic. The Municipal Plan fosters business continuity by outlining the action plans and processes to be followed as we work toward the resumption of normal business operations. You can read the plan here.
• Council approved a recommendation that the current credit card limit be increased from $50,000 to $100,000 as it is difficult to get cheques signed during the pandemic. This will allow for purchases needed for essential services.
• Businesses and residents have expressed growing concerns over paying taxes with so many businesses closed. The province is looking at possible ways to ease this burden during this time. The municipality is working with the Association of Municipal Administrators of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities to determine methods for province to help. In the meantime, businesses can contact Patrick Austin, Victoria County Economic Development Officer ( 902-294-0126/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and residents can contact the Tax department (902-295-3231/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with their concerns.
• Operations Update: The municipality is working with a skeleton crew. Waste Collection continues, but our sites are closed to the public.
• Council passed a motion appointing Blair Gallop as Victoria County Returning Officer for the October 2020 municipal elections.
• Another council session will take place April 6, via teleconferencing. Minutes will be posted the following day at https://www.victoriacounty.com/2020-council-minutes.html

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Published: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 09:50

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Published: Tuesday, 24 March 2020 11:47