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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2011-07_MunicipalInsight-compressed municipal insight LOOK INSIDE FOR…LOOK INSIDE FOR…LOOK INSIDE FOR… New Building Code (pg. 3) Will it affect you? Boating: What it means for us (pg. 3) By-laws and the pump out station Municipal Budget 2011-12 (pg. 4 & 5) What’s new, what’s not and how it all adds up Fireworks Safety (pg. 6) Fireworks: fun but DANGEROUS Cut N Run Update (pg. 7) Year 1 review and standings 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 “Back Harbour from the Garden” - contributed by Cosette Howlett NEW FORMAT! Tell us what you think at www.chester.ca Click on “Municipal Insight” on the right Message from the Warden Welcome to what we hope is the “new and improved” version of our newsletter. Council is committed to enhancing our ability and your ability to communicate with each other. This newsletter profiles the activities and functions of various Municipal Departments and the policy decisions of Council itself. The single most significant policy decision that Council makes is their annual Capital and Operating Budget. The Budget provides Council, staff and various community-based organizations with the tools they need to do the work necessary to fulfill all other policy decisions and community-based initiatives. The process of developing a budget must take into consideration initiatives that may have began several years ago, but are just now in the implementation stage as well as current operational requirements. We must also look forward several years in an effort to prepare our community for anticipated changes in revenue sources and regulatory changes affecting expenditures as well as position ourselves to take advantage of emerging opportunities. This is not a simple task, but after careful consideration and healthy debate at the Council table and in the broader community, we believe the Budget detail presented in this newsletter accomplishes those objectives. On behalf of Council, I would like to thank the many organizations and individuals who have made representations to Council to help guide us in the decision-making process over the past year. A properly functioning council is a reflection of the people we serve, so keep in touch and have a great summer. Warden Allen Webber, A quarterly newsletter from the Municipality of the District of Chester www.chester.ca “keeping informed about your municipal government” Summer 2011 2 Is my subdivision or development application approved yet? Call the Development Officer, Karen Newton, at 275-2599. For the most efficient service, please have the application number handy. What is the zoning on this property? Call the Development Officer, Karen Newton, at 275-2599. For the most efficient service, please have the civic address of the property or the property ID (PID) number handy. Where do I get a zoning confirmation letter and is there a charge? A zoning confirmation latter provides basic information about a property’s current zoning and land use history. They are often used by finance institutions and attorneys during due diligence periods. These letters can include the description of current zoning, a summary of uses allowed by zoning, and a list of applicable land use history. Send your request and cheque for $30.00 to the Planning Department. Can I get information about a property from your office? General information, such as zoning, civic address, map location, etc., is available at the Planning Office. Information about owner’s name, assessed value or tax rate is available from the Municipal Administration Office at 275-3554. Information about the owner’s address, survey plans, and deeds, is available from the Provincial Land Information Centre on Logan Road in Bridgewater. What is my civic number? A civic number is your house address. For example, 151 King Street is the civic address of the Municipal Administration Office. Please call the Civic Address Coordinator, Jami Fay, at 275-2599 to find out yours. How do I obtain a civic address number sign? How much will it cost? Civic address number signs are the blue number signs that are posted on a house or at the end of a driveway for Emergency Response Vehicles. The signs cost $10.00 each, and the fee must be paid before the order can be placed. You can order a civic address number sign by contacting the Planning Department at 275-2599 or visiting our office at 186 Central Street, Chester. Why do different departments have different civic numbers for my house? Each building has only one civic address. If different agencies are using different addresses for the same building, call Jami Fay at 275-2599 to have this corrected. Where can I pick up copies of the Land Use By-laws? How much is it? At the Planning Office, 186 Central Street. The first one is free, and additional copies are $10.00 each. The digital version is available free of charge and is on the municipal website at www.chester.ca. What is the cost of a Development Permit application? $30 if the construction value is less than $2,000. If the construction value exceeds $2,000, the Development Permit fee is $50. When do I need a Development Permit? Most new construction and most changes in the use of land or buildings require a Development Permit unless the development is in the General Basic Zone. Some development in the General Basic Zone requires a Development Permit to be issued through the Development Agreement or site plan process. The safest approach is to contact the Development Officer, Karen Newton, at 275-2599. Do I need a Development Permit to put up a sign on my property? In the Chester Village Planning area, signage is regulated and requires a development permit. Call the Development Officer, Karen Newton, at 275-2599 to discuss the requirements in your particular situation. Do I need a Development Permit for my new retail/sales space? Most commercial construction and most changes in the use of land or buildings require a Development Permit unless the development is in the General Basic Zone. Some commercial development in the General Basic Zone requires a Development Permit to be issued through the Development Agreement or Site plan process. The safest approach before you develop a property is to contact the Development Officer, Karen Newton, at 275-2599. What is the process for subdivision approval? The property owner(s), or their agent, need to submit a subdivision application. If necessary, the applicant may need to arrange for a soil assessment test by a qualified professional. This report is submitted with plans that are certified and stamped by a NS Land Surveyor. Once submitted, the Development Officer will notify the applicant at the various stages of the approval process and may request additional information from the applicant until final approval is received. How long will the Subdivision approval process take (creating a new lot or consolidating parcels of land)? Allow six weeks from the time the plan arrives at the Planning Office. What are the fees for a Subdivision application? A fee of $200.00 is payable to the Municipality, and also registration fees are charged by the Registry of Deeds. The registration fee is $97.41 if the property has been migrated to the land registration system, and $194.82 if the property has not been migrated. Contact the Development Officer, Karen Newton, at 275-2599. Where can I get a subdivision or development permit application? Application forms are available online at www.chester.ca. They are found under the Planning Department portion of the website, or by visiting the Planning Department at 186 Central Street, Chester. What is the process for naming a road? Municipal Council approves all road names that do not belong to the NS Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR). They will also advise TIR on those public roads as well. A road sign cannot be posted unless the road name has gone through the process and approved by Municipal Council. According to the Emergency 911 System Standards, "if a driveway has access to three (3) houses it then needs a road name". New roads in a subdivision or new development must submit three possible road name choices if there is potential to have more than three houses on a proposed road. For more information, contact Jami Fay at 275-2599. Do you have any road map books of the Municipality for sale? Yes, copies are available at the Planning Office for $10.00 each. Areas included in the map book are Chester Municipality and Mahone Bay. What is the Planning Department location and fax number? 186 Central Street, Chester 275-2598 fax number DEPARTMENT PROFILE: Chester Municipal Planning Department The Planning Department is responsible for a variety of planning and development services, including zoning and land-use, mapping, civic numbering, subdividing land, development in zoned areas, municipal specifications, and more. They are also heavily involved with a great deal of long-range planning, such as the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan and Streetscape Design for Highway #3 in Chester. Below are questions that may be helpful as well as direct you towards which one of our staff is best suited to meet your needs. Hauler Appreciation Day The Kaizer Meadow Environmental Centre will hold its annual Hauler Appreciation Day on Thursday, July 21 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. An informal “coffee break” for our local haulers is a small way for us to show our appreciation and say “thank you”! We truly value your hard work and effort! www.chester.ca visit us for updates 2 3 Grants Available from the Recreation & Parks Department Recreation Grants help non- profit volunteer organizations with the creation and expansion of recreation programs, activities and facilities within the Municipality of the District of Chester. The application deadline is Friday, October 7, 2011. For applications, visit www.chester.ca, contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 275-3490, or email recreation@chester.ca. MUNICIPAL PUMP OUT SERVICE Summer is here and so is sailing weather. The Municipality of the District of Chester reminds residents that our boat pump out service is here for your boating needs. Mondays to Fridays, between 7am and 3 pm, you can sched- ule a time to have your boat pumped out at the Chester Back Harbour Wharf, or more commonly known as the Red Cross Wharf. Call the Public Works Department at 275-1312 to schedule your pump out. When using the pump out...  Securely tie your boat to the wharf  When tying up to the wharf, make sure your bumpers are up against the wharf  It is easier to do a pump out when the tide is high  If your sailboat has an extra long keel, tie up at the end of the wharf during high tide O n June 1, 2011, the 2010 Building and Plumbing Codes were adopted by the Province. There are a number of changes, but two that will affect all new single family residential construction are: 1. The requirements for smoke alarms have been changed to require a wired- in smoke alarm in each bedroom/ sleeping room as well as one on each floor level. These are to be intercon- nected with a battery backup. For ex- ample a two storey house having three bedrooms will now require a total of five interconnected smoke alarms to comply with the Building Code. 2. For radon remediation, a layer of six mil poly is required beneath the poured concrete slab in all basements or slab construction. All joints or pene- trations in the poly are to be sealed and its perimeter has to be sealed as well. In addition, a 4” pipe stub must be located in a central position, capped and identified for radon. This pipe al- lows homeowners to install remedia- tion if required after tests. It is hoped that some code change semi- nars will be available in the fall. The possi- ble fee of $70.00 may apply. Please call the Building Department at 275-3080 if you have questions relating to this or any other Building Code issues. NEW BUILDING AND PLUMBING CODES The snow is a distant memory. April and May have long since dissolved under the torrential deluge. Lobster traps are pulled, and we can only hope that the steamy days of summer are just around the corner. It’s times like this when a man’s mind turns to thoughts of the water, fishing, and a cold one. The regrettably short boating season is with us once again, and the pristine waters in and around the Municipality are calling. During this busy period I ask those of us fortunate enough to own a boat to be mindful of other boaters and local residents. Please do not obstruct access to the wharves or slipways, private driveways or other vehicles when parking your trucks and trailers. And please, respect the time limitations when tying up to a wharf. By following these simple guidelines we can ensure that the facilities are available for everyone to use, and we can all have a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxed boating season. After all, courteous boaters are happy boaters. I hope your time on the water this summer is both safe and happy. Now, where did I put that cooler....? IT’S BOATING TIME AGAIN By Dave Brettell, By-law Enforcement Officer www.chester.ca visit us for updates 3 4 www.chester.ca visit us for updates You have $100 to spend at the grocery store. You could spend more, but you don’t want to because you have two other bills due this week. Maybe you’ll write down a list of things you need so you don’t forget the important things. Or, maybe you’ll look in the sale flyers to get more value for your dollar. Either way, you’re working with- in a budget. What decisions you make affect your plans for the rest of the week. Although the municipal budget process is lengthier and more complicated than grocery shop- ping, the essence is the same. Of course there is a spending limit, but the budget is also a tool that gives staff guidance on where to focus energies. Council sets their priorities based on community needs and operational commitments, they form the budget around those priorities, and then staff use the budget to carry them out. Priorities for the upcoming fiscal year are infrastructure upgrades; initial implementation of long- range planning initiatives; increased public communication/ awareness; and knowledgeable and efficient service delivery. Infrastructure u p g r a d e s i n c l u d e development of the Eco-Park at Kaizer Mead- ow Environ- mental Centre as well as road improvements and site upgrades. Almost all central sewer systems will also receive upgrades and preparations will be made for closure of the Mill Cove water treatment plant. Mill Cove side-walk will receive repairs while engineering and design plans are set for a Chester Basin sidewalk. Plans for completing the sidewalk on Duke Street in the Village of Chester are in the works. Preparations for several long-range plans will also begin. A review of the Planning Strategy and Land- Use By-law will result in an update of the document as well as recommend changes to allow for development along Highway 3 in Chester. The review will also take into consideration improvements recommended in the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan and Active Transportation Plan. All departments will increase their levels of communication with the public. Awareness is needed in the areas of Building Code, fire inspection and services, by-law enforcement, Planning directives, and Recreation projects, such as alternate transportation, green space, and active living. With new legislation, new regulations, and shift of responsibilities from the Province, Council and staff must remain current in order to meet demands from the public. Therefore, priority has been given to professional development so we can deliver the information that the public needs. There isn’t a tremendous difference between this year’s budget compared to last year’s, but it does inspire change. Council identified infrastructure upgrades, long-range planning initiatives, communication, and efficient service delivery as priorities this year. Municipal Council builds a budget that focuses on service, community planning, and fostering communication. General Tax Revenue from property taxes is used to fund both operating costs and financial obligations to the Province. Operating costs have increased this year. Borrowing and reserve funds are usually used to pay for capital projects directly. Capital expenses as well as debt charges from borrowing are integrated into the overall budget report. Capital expenditures have decreased for this fiscal year. Therefore, the 2011-12 Budget reflects a lower overall total. However, even though the overall total is less, it does not reflect the rise in operational costs, nor does it reflect the increase in our mandated contributions to the Province - both of which are paid for through General Tax Revenue. 4 5 www.chester.ca visit us for updates 5 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS  Residential/Resource tax rate and Commercial/Business Occupancy tax rate increased by 1¢.  Residential/Resource tax rate is now 64¢/$100 of assessment and the Commercial/Business Occupancy tax rate $1.54¢/$100 of assessment.  Operating budget, including Capital expenditures, is $18,934,974.00.  CPI increase is 2.2%  Administrative/Council remuneration is 3.24% of overall budget. REVENUE SOURCES Not all of the Municipality’s revenue is from the General Tax Rate. Revenue for certain services and projects is substantially funded by cost recovery programs, sale of services, and area rates. For example, 96% of the budget for Solid Waste is recovered through the sale of disposal services. Also, many capital projects are partially funded through grants, and specific services are run on a user-fee basis, such as recreation programs and sewer connections. PROVINCIAL STATISTICS Provincial obligations equal 66% of general tax revenue. It is divided into the following categories. Education ................................ 41.53% RCMP ...................................... 16.09% Assessment ................................ 3.79% Corrections ............................... 1.99% Roads ......................................... 1.85% Library ........................................ 0.74% Housing Authority ..................... 0.007% 6 I’m amazed at just how much garbage I find tossed at the side of the road in various places around the Municipality. Anything from household waste to furniture, refrigerators and electronics. Some roads have a couple of bags of garbage tossed into the ditch, whilst others take days to clean up, requiring a huge effort and the use of machinery. The vast majority of the residents of the Municipality are responsible and dispose of their garbage in an environmentally sensitive fashion. However, there seems to be a small percentage of residents who don’t seem to care, and they are causing the problem. Not only is throwing garbage on the roadside irresponsible, it’s also in breach of the Waste Disposal By-law. Regular gar- bage must be placed out for collection on your designated collection day, and special items can be placed out for collection during the weeks of special pickup. You can also take garbage and special collection items to Kaizer Meadow Environmental Management Centre. Up to 1,500 lb of waste can be deposited free of charge. Further information, including details of your collection schedule, is available by visiting www.kaizermeadow.ca or calling Kaizer Meadow at 275-2330. I am taking a zero tolerance approach to all incidents of illegal dumping in the Municipality. If you are caught, or if we can identify you, you can find yourself facing a hefty fine, or even worse. If you have been disposing of your garbage in an inappropriate manner, please, think twice and place it out for collection on your scheduled collection day. If you see someone disposing of garbage at the roadside or elsewhere, give me a call at 277-1589. By working together, we can eliminate this unsightly blight on our environment and our Municipality. Environmental hazards can be reported to the NS Department of Environment. Call them at 543-4685. PLEASE DON’T PITCH IT IN THE DITCH Use Fireworks Outdoors Never use fireworks indoors; they are designed for outdoor use only. Choose a Clear, Open Area Always use fireworks in an open area away from buildings, vehicles, dry brush/grass, and obstructions over-head. A minimum clear area of 30 m by 30 m for aerial family fireworks, such as Roman candles and 20 m by 20 m for fountains and other ground based items is recommended. Check For Wind Check wind direction and wind speed; fireworks should be lit with the prevailing wind blowing away from spectators and closest dwelling. Don’t set off aerial fireworks in strong winds. Have Water Nearby Keep a charged hose or water-filled bucket close by in case of a malfunction or fire. Read All Instructions Carefully read all the instructions for each firework ahead of time. Bury Aerial Fireworks For aerial fireworks (Roman candles), bury (do not pile) to half its length in the ground or large container filled with earth or sand. Use Ground-Based Fireworks on a Hard Surface Always light ground-based fireworks (mines, fountains) on a hard, flat, level surface to ensure stability. Grass is typically not suitable, and a wood or equivalent base is recommended to ensure stability. Keep Spectators Safe Keep all spectators at least 20 m away from location where articles are functioned . Wear Proper Eye Protection and Clothing Protect your eyes with safety glasses or goggles. Regular prescription glasses or sunglasses provide little or no protection and may actually contribute to an injury. Wear non-flammable clothing such as cotton; never wear synthetic fibre clothing (nylon, polyester) when firing. Keep Children Away From Fireworks Never let children handle, play with, or ignite fireworks under any circumstances. Even sparklers, which are considered by many as “safe” fireworks for children, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing and burn flesh. In addition, they project sparks that can cause eye injury. Use Care When Handling Fireworks Take care when handling fireworks to prevent dropping them. Do not carry fireworks in your pockets. Never smoke while handling fireworks. Use Care When Firing Fireworks When lighting, never put any part of your body or head over the firework; never hand hold them or insert them into other means of containment such as pipes; and never point or throw them at people or other sensitive/ flammable targets. During a fireworks show, store the unused fireworks away from the firing area and keep them covered to prevent stray sparks from prematurely setting them off. Duds or Misfires Never attempt to re-light fireworks that have misfired (duds). Wait 30 minutes and then place them in a bucket of water. Clean-Up After the Show Wait 30 minutes after the display has ended. Check the firing area for duds, clean up all debris, and check it again the next morning. Be considerate to your neighbors and inform them that you will be setting off fireworks as they may have pets or family members who are sensitive to the noise or lights. Please call Arden Weagle, Fire Inspector, at 275-3080 if you have more questions. Information courtesy of Natural Resources Canada. www.nrcan.gc.ca By Dave Brettell, By-law Enforcement Officer Consumer Fireworks are not toys Consumer Fireworks are, in fact, powerful pyrotechnics and, for this reason, both their sale and purchase are restricted. The Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada routinely tests fireworks and approves those that are safe to transport, store, handle, and use. To ensure a fun but safe family fireworks display, it is important that the simple safety procedures outlined below are followed. www.chester.ca visit us for updates 6 7 O n Sunday, June 5th, over two hundred runners and walkers took to the streets of Chester for the inaugural LP Canexel Chester Cut N Run 5k Walk/Run & 10k Run. After weeks of rain and gray skies, warm air and sunshine marshaled the runners around the Village. The event attracted a wide spectrum of participants: serious runners out to achieve their personal best, first-time runners looking for a new challenge, walkers enjoying the company of others, and families getting out to support each other or to encourage their kids to get active. While the 10k event attracted an equal number of participants from the Municipality of Chester and our neighbors, the 5k roster was made up mostly of local folks. The Recreation Department took the lead organizing the event, but it was really made possible by both the guidance and insight of the volunteer committee and the many local businesses that provided sponsorship support. LP Canexel was the title sponsor, South Shore Mental Health sponsored the 10k event, and NILU Gym and Fitness Centre the 5K Walk/Run. More information, plus a link to the photos from the event and a full list of sponsors, is available at www.Run.Chester.ca. Thank you to everyone who supported the event, and special thanks to each of the participants. We hoped to create an event where everyone could find their own place to achieve a personal physical activity goal in a fun and supportive environment. Judging by the feedback we’ve received, we succeeded with our first attempt and have laid the foundation for future years. New Alarm Response Policy Issued by RCMP The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Nova Scotia spend more than 12,000 hours per year responding to false alarms. False alarms occur when police respond to an activated alarm system and find no evidence of criminal activity. The RCMP developed and adopted a new strategy in relation to police response to residential and commercial security alarms in Nova Scotia and other Provinces. Effective June 15, 2011 the RCMP will move to what they term to be a “verified response” model for single-zone alarm incidents. A verified response means that there is verification that there has been an actual unwanted intrusion, crime or other problem. The simple audible or single-zone alarm incidents must be verified by an alarm company, an eye witness, contact person or key holder before the police will at- tend. There is no change in response procedures for robbery, panic, duress alarms and multi-zone alarms activations. Through this strategy, the RCMP expect that resources are effectively deployed across the province in support of crime reduction activities. Please contact the local Chester RCMP at 275-3583 with any questions related to this new strategy. We recommend that you contact your alarm company, who can advise you on how this policy will affect your current alarm system. They will explain how they intend to comply. There are no changes at this time in the current Municipal False Alarm By-law #141. Clear Bags for Garbage Program Although we have a 92% participation rate with our clear bags for garbage program, there may still be a few who need help. Here’s a refresher of our program:  Residents/businesses can place one opaque (black, brown, green, etc.) bag at the curb. The rest, up to five, must be in clear bags.  The bag limit for garbage has changed; you may place six bags of garbage (one opaque, five clear) out for collection.  The bag limit for recyclables (including cardboard) has increased to ten bags per collection period.  When bringing waste to the Landfill, haulers and residents can bring one black bag for every five clear bags. The same rules apply at the Landfill as they do at the curb. Call Kaizer Meadow Environmental Management Centre at 275-2330 or visit www.KaizerMeadow.ca 5K Walk/Run 10K Run Males, Age 18 and under Daniel Jessome, Chester Basin, 19:05 Dana Heisler, Bridgewater, 23:24 Jake Drolet-Green, East Chester, 24:46 Males, Age 18 and under Liam Patterson, Bridgewater, 42:52 Females, Age 18 and under India Seraphin, Chester Basin, 28:44 Jenna Slack, Upper Onslow, 34:00 Kate MacKinnon, Chester, 40:25 Males, Age 19-59 Alf Lacey, Bridgewater, 21:30 Sean Pearce, Chester Basin, 21:30 Bill Sibley, Hubbards, 21:59 Males, Age 19-59 David Holder, Bedford, 39:14 Ian Henman, Dartmouth, 39:55 Brad Rusaw, Chester, 43:06 Females, Age 19-59 Rebecca Reeves, New Ross, 20:49 Alice Patrick, Luneneburg, 23:17 Liane Clarkson, Lunenburg, 24:47 Females, Age 19-59 Leah Jabbour, Halifax, 41:58 Alison Murphy, Halifax, 45:59 Erin Beaudin, Coldbrook, 46:18 Males, Age 60+ Robin Meister, New Ross, 19:49 Ron Kaszor, Lower Sackville, 29:29 Males, Age 60+ Chris Anderson, Bayport, 47:05 Bill Roblee, Lunenburg, 49:09 Females, Age 60+ Phyllis Burke, Lunenburg, 24:41 Females, Age 60+ Anne Watling, Hubbards, 1:04:59 Winning times: Chester Cut N Run: A Successful First Year www.chester.ca visit us for updates 7 8 DO YOU KNOW YOUR CIVIC NUMBER? IS IT PROPERLY DISPLAYED? In an emergency, it is vital to get our first responders, paramedics, fire fighters or police, where they are urgently needed - safely and as quickly as possible. We can’t help you if we can’t find you. Our emergency responders rely on you, as a homeowner or business, to know your correct civic address and properly post it. Without clearly displayed civic numbers to guide them, precious minutes pass as emergency responders have difficulty in locating the address of a 911 call. The failure to post a civic number may mean the difference between life and death in an emergency. If you live on a private road, it is important for you to have a road name sign posted to ensure fast emergency response services. There have been several incidents where emergency responders have been dispatched to the wrong location due to errors in the civic address supplied. It is very important that everyone in your home or office knows the correct civic address. Keep it posted by the phone. If you have a private security system, it is critical that the monitoring company has the cor- rect civic address on file. HELP US - HELP YOU The Civic Address Coordinator issues civic numbers to all new buildings as part of the Building Permit process. Every dwell- ing, business and institution in the Municipality should have a civic number assigned to it. Our Civic Addressing By-law #139 states that all owners of such buildings must properly post the assigned civic number for that building. Your civic number, with numerals placed horizontally, must be displayed on your house or at the end of your drive on the same side of the road as your dwelling or business. The plate must be located so that the number can be eas- ily seen from the road from both directions, day or night. If you make your own civic number plate, it must conform to the standards outlined in the By-Law. However, Emergency Services are most familiar with, and prefer, the clearly visible blue and white reflective civic number signs. These plates are available from the Municipality at a minimal cost of $10.00. If you need more information on the Civic Addressing By-Law #139, please visit www.chester.ca under the Fire & Emer- gency tab on the left side of the Municipality’s homepage. To order your civic number plate or to simply ask any questions, please contact the Civic Address Coordinator at the Plan- ning Department at (902) 275-2599. Help us help you. Sign up for Safety. Post your civic number Chester Connection & Aspotogan Trail The Chester Connection and Aspotogan Trail winds its way for 46 kilometers from Hubbards to Martin’s River. There are many points of interest along the way such as the Gold River Bridge which is over 50 feet high and is 367 feet long. Pack a lunch and picnic at one of the rest stops or take your binoculars and look for birds and other wildlife. The trail provides a nice flat terrain for you and your family to go for a hike or bike ride together this summer. If you use an Off Highway Vehicle, the trail makes a great connection to other areas such as the St Margaret’s Bay Trail or the Dynamite Trail. We would ask that all trail users please use trail etiquette, be courteous to others you meet on the trail and respect the environment.