Future of town's public library, a proposed long term care facility, addition to canteen, +

The continuing discussion on the future of the Hantsport Public Library (HPL) and the presentation on the proposed Seniors' Complex were the highlights of Hantsport's Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting on July 16.


The Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB) decided that there is no room for two libraries in the renovated Hantsport School. But the HPL may share the space with the school library.

The town's responsibility is to pay for the cost of the space for the HPL. If the town wants the two libraries to share the space for an indefinite length of time, it must contribute to the renovations costs and operating costs. The CAO Rob Frost estimated the costs to range from $110,000 to $170,000 + on-going costs of $6000. The AVRSB gave no firm estimates. Deputy-Mayor Harold Bulger suggested that, rather then spend the money on renovating the school, the money should be spent on a library located off the school premises.

If the town wants its library to stay in the school while it finds another building, there will be no cost to the town. But the HPL must be out of the school by August 2015.

Council will make its decision at a special meeting on July 25 at 6 PM at the fire hall. At the same time, it will approve the auditor's non-consolidated report.

Bill Preston presented council with the concept of locating a long term care facility in Hantsport. He was supported by Don Hussey and Claude O'Hara. The idea surfaced during the recent Imagine Hantsport event. After outlining the reasons for establishing the facility, the group asked for council's approval. The group felt that the facility would benefit the town, the area, the businesses and it would
provide employment.

The COW meetings allow all councillors to hear reports from all committees but decisions are deferred to the regular mothly meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS:

• The Shamrock Baseball association received a grant to build an addition to its canteen. The grant will cover 33.3% of the funding the group spends. 
• The proposed bio-mass project is still under discussion.  
• Councillor Rob Fredericks was scheduled to attend the Kings Transit meeting on July 24.