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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2011-01_MunicipalInsight_pdf-compressed municipal insight A quarterly newsletter from the Municipality of the District of Chester LOOK INSIDE FOR…LOOK INSIDE FOR…LOOK INSIDE FOR… Can you get a tax exemption? (pg. 2) Find out if you qualify for a property tax exemption. “Age-friendly Communities” (pg. 4) Learn what this means and how the Municipality is becoming involved. Take the Roof off Winter (pg. 5) What are you doing to stay active this winter? We have a few ideas... False alarms are increasing (pg. 6) A serious look at a serious problem. www.chester.ca “keeping informed about your municipal government” Winter 2011 also inside... WAY TO GO CLEAR BAGGERS! STREETSCAPE UPDATE WINTER PARKING NEWS CONTACT US: Municipality of the District of Chester 151 King Street P O Box 369, Chester NS B0J 1J0 (902) 275-3554 phone (902) 275-4771 fax administration@chester.ca www.chester.ca Chester Bandstand on a winter’s morning overlooking the Front Harbour 2 tax information Access your up-to-the-minute tax information online, 24 hours a day in real- time! Visit www.chester.ca and click on the green button located on the right of our homepage labelled “Tax Info Online”. FIRST TIME USER or NOT QUITE SURE? Please call the Tax Office at (902) 275-3554 to set up your account or with any questions you may have. (902) 275-3554 phone (902) 275-4771 fax administration@chester.ca Stay informed: sign up for “Municipal Alerts” at www.chester.ca or follow us on Twitter. Do you qualify for a property tax exemption? You may if ALL of the following applies to you: The total income from all persons who have an interest in your property (who are listed as owners or co-owners) was less than $17,000.00 in the 2009 calendar year. Exemptions are only for residential property tax on the principal residence. Although all owners do not have to live in the residence, it must be a principal dwelling of one of the owners. Proof of income is required. Please bring your 2009 Notice of Assessment from Revenue Canada with you. Call the Recreation & Parks Department at 275-3490 to register for Winter programs or go to www.chester.ca to register online AFTER JANUARY 11, 2011 MUNICIPAL TAX EXEMPTIONS Do you qualify? The exemption for the current fiscal year (April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011) will expire on March 31, 2011. The amount of the exemption is based on total income and will be determined at the Administration Office. Please contact the Administration Office at 275-3554 to see if you qualify. 3 by -law enforcement (902) 277-1589 phone (902) 275-2598 fax dbrettell@chester.ca We have all seen them. Those in- nocuous looking leaflets that are stapled to utility poles all over the Village, advertising all sorts of good- ies we never knew we could not live without. And then there are the utility poles themselves. The signs are long gone but the staples remain, making the poles look like an urban cactus, cov- ered in thousands of tiny steel spikes, just waiting to ensnare the next un- suspecting passerby. There must be something that can be done about this, right? Well, there is. Quite often the business owners in the Village have gone through the process of applying for the relevant permits, and paid the applicable fee, that allows them to erect signs that advertise their establishment or ser- vice. Also, they have often invested considerable sums of money in the signs themselves. So why should Joe Blow be allowed to hammer his laminated bit of paper to every utility pole he sees, free of charge, not a care in the world? The good news is, he cannot! Every sign erected in the Village must comply with regulations relat- ing to its location, its purpose, its design and its size. Fortunately, there are restrictions on fixing most any kind of sign to the utility poles within the Village area. These re- strictions are found in our Land Use By-law. Contact the Planning Depart- ment or myself for details. I will be taking time over the coming weeks to remove any signs in the Vil- lage that have been erected without a permit, especially those stuck to the utility poles. I will also try and hammer down some of the staples and spikes to make the poles a little safer for us all. So wish me luck. And if you see me wrapped round a utility pole like a piece of human Velcro please feel free to take the time to stop, have a chat, and maybe peel me off! - Dave Brettell, By-law Enforcement Officer UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS BOOK! If you are still using “@district.chester.ns.ca” for your municipal email ad- dresses, please switch to “@chester.ca”. For example, jveinotte@district.chester.ns.ca is now jveinotte@chester.ca. SIGN OF THE TIMES Is it just me, or have old autos be- come a bit of a hot topic these past few years? With schemes like ‘Recycle Your Ride’ and ‘Cash For Clunkers’ it seems like the Govern- ment and every car dealership there ever was is trying to get us to trade in our older cars for shiny new ones that have all the latest gadgets, engines that run on June Bug droppings and technology that allows them to park them- selves. But not all of us can afford the latest fashions from Detroit. What about us, what can we do? Fortunately there are a number of auto salvage businesses in and around the Municipality that will take your old auto away for its scrap value. I know it can be a little painful watching your favourite old jalopy, or Dad’s old Caddy, get dragged away to the big old crusher in the sky, but all of us have a duty to protect the environ- ment, and some of those old street rods can be full of all kinds of nasty stuff. Also, Grandma’s old Chevy may be worth more in scrap value than you could ever imagine. But what about that rusting pile of Japanese tin that’s parked in the back yard? You know, the one you bought 20 years ago that has an engine the size of a sewing machine and body panels the thickness of aluminum foil. The scrap guys won’t touch that. Don’t worry, all is not lost. Did you know that the Municipality has a derelict vehicle program? We can, under most circumstances, ar- range for derelict or scrap vehicles to be removed from your property, free of charge. So, if you have a vehicle that you need to get rid of and the auto salvage guys won’t take it, give me a call and I will swing by with the forms. IS YOUR AUTO NO LONGER MOBILE? by Dave Brettell, By-law Enforcement Officer 4 recreation & parks (902) 275-3490 phone (902) 275-3630 fax recreation@chester.ca The Municipality of Chester recently received funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors to work on an Age-Friendly Communities project. Age- Friendly Communities is a program that promotes supportive environments where seniors can lead healthy, active, and engaged lives. The Municipality will embark on this project by identifying barriers within the community and then recommending ways to remove or alleviate them. “The Municipality of the District of Chester recognizes the value of seniors in maintaining an active and flourishing community,” says Warden Allen Webber. “Fostering an ‘Age-Friendly Community’ will support the needs of our seniors and provide benefits that will be realized for many years.” Over the next year, you will hear more about our Age-Friendly Communities initiative. The community will be encouraged to provide input and possibly become a member of our Age-Friendly Advisory Team. If you have any questions or want to get involved, please contact the Recreation & Parks Department at 275-3490. Want the latest municipal news? Check www.chester.ca often Age-Friendly Communities Chester 5K run & walk/10K run We’re in the process of planning for a 5K run/walk and 10K run event, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 4th in and around the Village of Chester. Avid runners and casual walkers are welcome to volunteer for an organizing committee. If you have any questions or would like to assist, contact the Recreation & Parks Department at 275-3490. Outdoor Activity Sampling The Chester Recreation and Parks Department, in partnership with our Lunenburg/Queens counterparts, are organizing an outdoor recreation activity sampling event for May. The event will be held in conjunction with the Lahave River Salmon Asso- ciation’s Annual Children’s Fishing Derby. After catching your limit at the Fishing Derby, stay at the MARC to try a variety of outdoor recreation activities, such as nature photography, geocaching, hiking, and many others. Watch or call for more details. Saturday, May 28, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the MARC in Dayspring. It’s FREE! The Subway in Chester collected $684 for P.R.O. Kids on Friday, December 17 during a fundraiser at their location! We want to give the staff at Subway a special thank you for their support as well as a big thank you to their patrons who participated in this event. Front - Steve Costie, Subway Owner, and Cosette Howlett, P.R.O. Kids Coordinator Back (left to right) - Subway Staff Cody Boutilier, Lisa Rafuse and Norma Hiltz 5 Need space to cross country ski, toboggan or snowshoe? Come to Ross Farm! There are some snowshoes at the Farm you can use if you don't have any of your own. If you are interested in a planned activity, Ross Farm is hosting a Snowshoe Making Demonstra- tion on Saturday, January 22 and Sunday, Janu- ary 23. After the demonstration, participants will receive instruction on how to use the snow- shoes. Ross Farm supplies the snowshoes or bring your own. Participants can then enjoy the experience of snowshoeing on the Farm. It is a good time to learn all about the making of snow- shoes and an opportunity to learn how to use them and have a great day outdoors. There is also a Toboggan Making Demonstration on Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, January 30 at Ross Farm. Ice Safety Course - January 29, 9:00-11:30am at Forest Heights Community School. $20. This course provides life-saving knowledge and res- cue training for those engaged in ice-based winter activities, such as ice fishing, skating, snowmobi- ling , ATVing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Re- member that response from your fire department may be 10 to 20 minutes away. This course may also be of interest to parents whose children skate or play hockey on or near frozen ponds, lakes or rivers. Training emphasizes self-rescue techniques and techniques used in rescuing others in distress. Card Lake Snowshoe Trek - February 6, 10am-12 noon at Card Lake Provincial Park. FREE! Join Hike Nova Scotia for a gentle snowshoe under the whispering hemlocks along the shores of beau- tiful Card Lake. At our furthest point out, we will stop for a brief workshop on wilderness survival (what to do if you now had to spend the night at Card Lake). Learn other tidbits along the way re- garding local history and flora and fauna…you may even win a prize! This hike is part of Hike Nova Sco- tia’s Guided Snowshoe series. To learn more, visit www.hikenovascotia.ca. Registration required. Free lunch-time skates - Every Thursday in Febru- ary at the Chester Rink, 12:30-1:30pm. Introduction to Astronomy - March 31, 6:30- 9:00pm at Forest Heights Community School. $15. An introduction to the night sky and a primer on constellation identification is given by Grant Dixon, the evening demonstrator at the McCallion Plane- tarium of McMaster University for over 22 years. This is primarily a lecture format, but if the sky is right, some time may be spent outside observing. Bring binoculars or a telescope if you have them. When ice conditions permit, the outdoor rinks at Croft Road and Lordly Park will be open all hours to the public and are free to use. Take the Roof off Winter with one or more of these activities! Call the Recreation and Parks Department at 275-3490 to register. Did you know that many of the Municipality’s publications are online? If there’s one you don’t see, call us. 6 fire services (902) 275-1312 phone (902) 275-3673 fax bblackwood@chester.ca FALSE ALARM RATES ARE HIGH From January until the end of October 2010 we have responded to 27 false fire alarms representing nearly 6% of the district’s total emergency calls. In some communities, the rate of false fire alarms was as high as 15% of their Fire Department’s emergency calls. For the same period, the RCMP received nearly 300 false security alarms. This is an average of 28 false calls per month and represents an increase of nearly 19% in the calls from 2009. FALSE ALARMS CAN BE PREVENTED. THEY ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY Although weather and other occurrences out of your control can cause false alarms, most of the time they can be prevented. There are several things you can do: Purchase systems from reputable companies. Ask for detailed training on the system and train those that you permit access. Use proper opening/closing procedures. Be sure to address open, unlocked or loose fitting doors and windows, drafts from heaters or air conditioning systems, and wandering household pets that will cause security systems to activate. Particulate matter whether smoke, dust, or steam will activate a smoke detector. Avoid placing them in locations that will cause nuisance alarms, e.g. too close to kitchens, baths, fireplaces. Always pay close attention to your surroundings. What you are doing, i.e. cooking could impact on the alarm system. During home renovations, cover smoke detectors that may be affected by construction activities. Always restore all detectors daily to proper functionality after construction or renovation activities. After construction is completed, your alarm company should be called to service your system. Fire and security systems should be maintained annually by competent and authorized service companies. Have all phone numbers available to call or cancel accidental alarms. YOUR SECURITY IS IMPORTANT Your building security system is a valuable tool to prevent home or business break-ins, personal injury and the loss of property due to fire or theft. The Municipality, your local Fire Department and the RCMP support the proper installation and maintenance of these important safety systems. FALSE ALARMS ARE VERY SERIOUS False alarms are a waste of time, funds and effort in responding to non-existing fire or other alarm situations. They cause unnecessary risks to emergency responders, other road users and the general public. False alarms disrupt community services and your business. Possible delays in responding to real emergencies put peoples’ lives at stake. There is a risk of complacency to actual incidents of crime and fire with possible deadly consequences. A MAJOR CONCERN We remind all citizens of their responsibility to comply with the Alarm By–Law 141. Copies of this By-law are available at the Municipal Offices or online at www.chester.ca. Please follow the link to our Fire and Emergency Services web site for even more information on the prevention of false alarms. Each false alarm is investigated, and we request corrective actions to deter repeat incidents. The primary reasons for the false alarms in 2010 YTD continue to be improper usage by the owner, (carelessness, passwords, notification, call lists) and general system maintenance (low batteries, defective equipment). WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE We recognize the preventative and corrective actions taken by many alarm system owners in our communities. We continue to investigate how we can best work with our communities to reduce the number of false alarms. Thank you for your assistance and we ask that you continue to be diligent in maintaining and using your alarm systems in the proper manner. 7 An impressive 92% of households visited by the Municipal Curbside Inspector are participating in the clear bag for garbage program. A study was conducted over three months that recorded the specific number of households and busi- nesses participating in the new program. A baseline was estab- lished prior to the enforcement date of October 1 and comparison data was collected for the two months following the enforcement date. The result...SUCCESS! The plan is to continue inspections and provide information to anyone who needs it. If you haven’t started yet, a few key points about the program are: Bag limits are 6 garbage bags (5 clear and 1 black), 10 recycling bags (including cardboard) and 1 green cart. Recycling is the same as always. If you used a blue bag before, you can still use one. Sort the same as you always have. Pet waste can be bagged in opaque bags. All pet waste can be put in an opaque bag (like a grocery bag) and then put in your garbage - whether it’s clear or not. Sorting guides can be found in the 2011 Waste Collection Calendar or online at www.chester.ca Or, you can call the Kaizer Meadow Envi- ronmental Management Centre at 275-2330 or the Public Works Department at 275-1312 for any information that you need. solid waste (902) 275-2330 phone (902) 275-1468 fax info@KaizerMeadow.ca Congratulations are in order! REMINDER: All contractors and residents delivering waste to the Kaizer Meadow Environmental Management Centre MUST have secured loads. Blowing debris causes safety issues on our highways and creates litter. Nets are available for temporary loan by calling 275-1312. building Building Permit Renewals Q & A Q: After I receive my Building Permit, how long until it expires? A: Your Building Permit is valid for 18 months. Q: Once it expires, if my project is not complete, do I need to take out another Permit? A: No you do not; you are only required to renew your Permit. Q: How do I renew my Permit? A: Once your Permit expires, our department will send you a renewal form in the mail. Just sign, date, and return the form, and your Permit will be valid for an additional 18 months! It is very important you provide us with a current mailing address if your permanent address changes, to ensure you receive the renewal form to keep your Permit valid. Q: Is there a fee to renew my Permit? A: There is no fee to renew your Permit. Q: What if no work has been undertaken to my project? A: If no work has been undertaken nor any inspections been conducted, then after 18 months the Building Inspector may close your file and return your funds. Q: What if I start the project at a later date, after my file has been closed? A: If you start the project after your file is closed, you must make application at our office for a new Permit. (902) 275-3080 phone (902) 275-2598 fax building@chester.ca 8 public works (902) 275-1312 phone (902) 275-3673 fax publicworks@chester.ca WINTER PARKING - are you ready? From December 15th to March 31st, there is a winter parking ban in parts of Chester Village and Western Shore (look for the signs). The Provin- cial Winter Parking Regulations reads as follows: “no owner, driver or person having control or custody of any vehicle shall during the period from one hour after any snow storm has com- menced to two hours after such snow storm has stopped, park the vehicle if it is unat- tended by a person authorized to move and capable of operating the same, upon any highway or street of the communities listed on Schedule “A” (Chester and Western Shore are included within Schedule “A”). Also, the Municipal Government Act says, “snow cannot be plowed across any streets or onto public sidewalks. Snow shall be stored on the property being cleared or hauled away and dumped in an approved location.” In addition, we want to remind motorists that in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Act, “no person shall willfully park or leave standing a vehicle, attended or unattended, on a street or part thereof which interferes or obstructs snow removal during or after a snow storm, or in any way obstructs winter maintenance, i.e. salting. Such vehicles will be towed away at the owners’ expense.” In other words, your vehicle will be towed if, at any time, you block any part of the street that is getting plowed or salted. planning (902) 275-2599 phone (902) 275-2598 fax planning@chester.ca For information on any of these regulations, please call the Department of Transportation at 275-3221. Planning Vision and Streetscape Design for Highway 3 at Chester Village After much collaboration with the Municipality of Chester as well as the Streetscape Steering Committee and the public, Ekistics Planning & Design, in association with ABLE Engineering, came up with a plan that represents how the main access into Chester might look in the future. This plan is meant to be an elaborate strategy that will enhance the Village esthetically, economically, and environmen- tally. After some unexpected and gravely unfortunate delays, work on the final draft report will soon be complete. Then, it will be presented to Council for approval. This document is an important piece of Chester’s future and we want to take the time to perfect it. After approval, changes to the Zoning and Land-use By-laws will be made, which will allow the Municipality to move forward with the Streetscape Vision. Read about the exciting, proposed changes to Chester’s main thoroughfare by accessing the Streetscape documents either online at www.chester.ca or at the Planning Department. Look for more information to come.