Committee of the Whole - town business more transparent

January 22 / 2013

These meetings began in January and are on a six months trial basis. All council members are on this committee. It hears reports from the chairs of water; public works; fire; community development, tourism, and recreation; cemetery; bylaws; Regional Emergency Measures Organization; the CAO; and the Mayor. 

This innovation is a significant benefit to the town. Former councillor Peter Murray was one of the supporters of the concept. As in the past, only council members receive copies of the report.  Those who attended council meeting heard chairs of these committee give summaries of their report or the report was circulated and then approved. Only those on council knew what was in them. Similarly, minutes of the meeting on the website included the statement: council accepted such-and-such a committee’s report. And that was it. 

Now, the chairs of the committees read their report fully and answer questions from council. 

  Capital Health representatives are coming to town to talk to council and to CAO Rob Frost. He reported that a doctor is showing “some interest” in locating in Hantsport. The doctor is in direct contact with Capital Health. 

  Employment Nova Scotia is currently working with more than 60 of the 90 former employees of Minas Basin Pulp & Power who were not transferred to CKF.

  The town sent a letter to the Department of Justice to ask for a review of the policing contract with RCMP.  Protective Services was given $329,025. in the 2012 / 2013 budget. Out of this the    RCMP community officer was paid $136,000. This included benefits. 

  “The town will continue working with Scotia Investment to share costs. As far as I know, MBP&P is continuing to look at natural gas and other energy opportunities,” Rob Frost stated..  

  Town official had a frank and open discussions with Service Nova Scotia, according to Mayor Rob Zwicker. That department has helped other towns in similar financial situations. Everything in the budget is up for consideration. The mayor wants feedback from residents and stated that the town needs lots of public consultation.

  The mayor stated that Kings Transit’s  (KT) estimated cost for 2013 / 2014 is $40,000. KT manager Ron Mullins, however, has not yet set the budget, he said in an email to N&V. “I am not expecting any large increase over last year that would be any where’s near this $40K. Their budgeted contribution should be in that $30K neighbourhood.” KT was budgeted for $28,000 for 2012 / 2013.    

  Negotiations continue to finalize the purchase of land for the truck route. The name of the seller cannot be released until the deal is complete. 

   

Water report: 

THMs Trihalomethanes (These chemical compounds are caused by the combination of chlorine with organic material are suspected of causing cancer in rats.)

First Nations 169

Fire Dept. 149

Public Works 130 

Acceptable level 100

HAAS (Haloacetic acids are a type of chlorination disinfection by-product (CDBP) that are formed when the chlorine used to disinfect drinking water reacts with naturally occurring organic matter (NOM) in water. Haloacetic acids are a relatively new disinfection by-product.)

Water plant 39

First Nations 64

Fire Department 106

Public Works 68

Acceptable level 80

  Snow removal has been a priority, Public Works Superintendent Peter Johnston reported. Salt usage and over time is normal compared to 2012. On Christmas Eve, a water pipe broke at the treatment centre.   

  The fire department answered 156 calls in December, an average number. Eight new members are taking Level One courses in Kentville. The department received an Eastern Kings Memorial Hospital $7000 grant to supply five or seven defibrillators and provide training for the Hants Border Hall, the Lockhartville Hall, and Hantsport.

  The new website will be available at the end of January, Director of Community Development and Recreation Karrie Ritchie reported. Tennis Nova Scotia assessed the court as good. The town received a Celebrate Canada grant of $7000 for July 1st. Ron Such will organize the road race. 

   The cameras helped in catching the vandals ages 15 and 16 who recently broke into the tennis building. Karrie met with them. They apologized and did community service with Karrie. 

  Town staff will contact Valley Communications to forwarded calls at the cost of $80 a month made to town office after hours. 

  At the end of the meeting, four members of the public asked questions which the mayor and council answered. When Bill Preston asked if taxes would be raised, the mayor answered that every budget item will be examined. Including Kings Transit, deed transfer taxes, salaries, RCMP, the pool. The mayor asked if there is an alternative to Kings Transit. Councillor Faye Hill, the alternate on that committee chaired by Rob Frederick, stated that the council needs to encourage usage of the service. Lorraine McQueen suggested that the development centre and the former dentist’s office were opportunities for businesses or residences. Toni Huntley suggested the town investigate issuing a bond.  

  Next COW meeting Tuesday, February 19 at 7 PM at the town hall.

   
Is town business more transparent? What do you think?