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Home My Public Portal About2015-09_MunicipalInsight_pdf-compressedmunicipal insight “Keeping informed about September 2015 your municipal government” In the Municipality of the District of Chester this fall... Once Upon a Time... The Legend Strikes Again! Food for Thought What embodies the The Oak Island mystery There's an Open House Municipality? Help tell continue to intrigue at the Community our story (Page 3). visitors on Page 4. Garden! Info on Page 5. If you caught the Masthead News on August 12, you may have seen this exact photograph. On the right is Michael O'Connor, Treasurer of the Old Tim- ers Hockey Group, and on the left Cosette Howlett, PRO Kids Coordinator and Employee Extraordinaire for the Municipality of the District of Chester. Since 2012, the Old Timers have raised over $2,000 for PRO Kids by hosting fun hockey games with other area teams. Last season, they played the TASA Ban- tam Female AA hockey team. Even though they lost, they still are winners when it comes to kindness and community support. The Old Timers are not alone in their support ei- ther. Cosette receives offers every year from local groups asking to raise money for PRO Kids. And, she is grateful for every single one because she knows that with every donation and sponsorship, she can approve another application for a child to partici- pate in an activity. The concept for PRO Kids was actually developed in Thunder Bay, ON and has been in our Municipality PRO KIDS = SUCCESS Photo courtesy of Masthead News also develop "meetings in a box". The boxes will be packages of information, maps and questions that will help people and groups consider issues on their own time. It’s one way for residents to provide feed- back if they can’t make an event. Our website and social media are other ways to contact us. The Committee has been quite busy creating draft goals. These goals focus on the key themes from the first public sessions. Main issues are the natural environment, community character and economic development. Community planning and services are also key issues. The Committee is also looking at planning ap- proaches for each community. Some residents have said they are okay with current plans in their area. Other residents have told us they would like a new approach. The Committee is working hard to find the right balance and approach for each area. There will be many ways for residents to let us know what they think about these issues. Our plan is to be out in the community to speak with many residents. Our goal is to have residents learn about and comment on possible approaches to the Plan. We will host Open Houses from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 to 4 pm as well as Public Meetings from 7 to 9 pm at these locations, September 23 New Ross Fire Hall September 30 Hubbards Fire Hall October 7 Little Red School October 22 Western Shore Improvement Hall October 28 Aenon United Baptist Church November 4 Blandford Community Centre More information on the Plan Review can be found on our website: www.chester.ca/revision. Residents can also phone the Community Development De- partment at 902-275-2599. Our Plan Review email address is revision@chester.ca. Please contact us with questions or comments. We've been busy with the Plan Review. Our first public sessions were held in the winter. Since then, our steering committee – the Citizens Planning Advi- sory Committee – has looked over public feedback. Their job is to suggest goals and approaches for the new Plan that reflect the residents' values that we heard during the public sessions. We will show this work to the community in the late summer and fall. We want to make sure we are heading in the right direction and make sure our approach to the Plan will work for our residents. Expect to see staff out in the community as we host public meetings and visit special events. We will VISIONrePlan Review Some Community A ssembly Required October 12 - Municipal Offices are closed for Thanksgiving. Waste collection is happening as usual. Sometimes we like to put our feet up too! since 2002. In fact, we were the first municipality in Nova Scotia to have the program. PRO Kids stands for "Positive Recreation Opportunities for Kids", and provides financial assistance to children and youth who, due to lack of funds, are not able to participate in sport, recreation and cultural activities. Because of PRO Kids, youth between the ages of 0-18 years who live in the Municipality of the District of Chester, and who also cannot affort costs, can ap- ply for financial support for program registration and equipment costs. The program builds confidence and self-esteem, promotes physical activity, improves health, devel- ops friendships, and is just fun. Cosette prefers the application three weeks in advance of start date. The first come, first served process is completely confidential, and is based on a "reference system". She admits that not knowing where funding is necessarily coming from is some- times stressful. Since 2002, applications have increased every year except in 2014 when she received nine less. Com- pared to our first year, the number of applications have more than quadrupled. Our highest number of applications so far was 253 in 2013-14. The top five activities last year were hockey (44), dance (29), tae- kwondo (22), cheerleading (21), skating and soccer (both at 17). Funding and equipment comes from individual and corporate donations; grants from United Way, KidSport, Jumpstart and Council; Alternative Justice; the NHL Players Association; fundraising events held by groups; and memorial donations. Administrative costs are covered by the Municipality. Every cent do- nated goes directly to youth in our communities. Challenges include fluctuating funding sources, elite sports, and the need to impose limitations on financial support (when requests exceed money available). So far this year, groups have held these events with proceeds going to PRO Kids. • The Old Timers benefit hockey game • Chinese auction canteen • Basketball tournament • Cut n Run • Annual Jumpstart event • Chester District School coin drop • BBQ in Western Shore • Outdoor movie night • Horseless horse show Upcoming events include two golf tournaments (Fo'c'sle and Chester Minor Hockey). Please contact Cosette Howlett, PRO Kids Coordi- nator, through prokids@chester.ca or 902-275-3490. Or, visit chester.ca to download an application form. MUNICIPAL COUNCIL Message from the Warden I hope everyone had a great summer. It was wonderful to see the hustle and bustle that comes with increased population and a vibrant mix of community activities across the Municipality. It's time to settle back into our normal routines, especially for our young people off to university, a new job, or back to school. This of course means that the Student Council at Forest Heights is back in business, and I look forward to our third year of engagement and relationship building. I will be meeting with their new President, Kathryn Green, and her team over the next few weeks to determine our goals for the coming year. The Municipality recently received our audited financial statements, and I am pleased to report a clean audit with some encouraging news on key indicators. At the risk of over-simplifying it, our net worth has increased, our net debit has decreased, and our revenue outside of traditional property taxes has increased, lessening our dependency on property taxes moving forward. These indicators enhance our overall sustainability as a community. In an effort to raise the bar even further You can contact the Warden by calling the Municipal Office at (902) 275-3554, calling his home at (902) 275-2536, or emailing awebber@chester.ca and to generate more revenue from non- traditional sources, we have engaged Minas Energy to further develop energy projects in our Municipality. We have been working with other municipalities over the summer to build interest in their participation and will continue to do so in anticipation of bringing substantial new investment into our municipality. There has been a lot of talk about amalgamation across the Province and of particular interest in Lunenburg County in recent months. The Municipality of the District of Chester has chosen not to participate directly, but to observe diligently while still continuing to work within the region on opportunities that present shared value for our citizens. We will continue with this approach until we are convinced it is in your interest as a tax payer to become more directly involved. This edition of the Insight gives a great overview of some key activities and challenges we face. There are two key activities where we need you to continue your involvement. The Plan Review is entering the second phase of public engagement and 2 our new branding initiative is just beginning. You have demonstrated that you want to be involved so far, and we encourage you to continue to help us shape the future of our communities. In closing, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous commitment made by one of our volunteers. Viola Hiltz passed away on Friday, August 28, leaving behind a legacy of 48 years of service managing the swim program at the Lido Pool in Chester. She touched the lives of thousands of young people over four decades of service. Thank you from your community. You will be missed. Respectfully, EYES ON THE PRIZE Why the Municipality isn't afraid to tryWe were recently described as a "change organization". It was dur- ing a change management workshop, and admittedly, some of the staff in the room looked at each other a little sideways. We weren't entirely sure if it was meant as a compliment or not. The instructor then pointed out that the Municipality was very much at the forefront in terms of rural municipal government. Truthfully, most of us are immersed in the "daily grind" and hadn't really considered it. But, it did feel pretty good to be recognized. As a whole, our organization has always followed the high level goals of Council, such as "fiscal responsiblity" and "economic pros- perity". Everyone wants to succeed, and mu- nicipal units aren't any different. It's how we get there that sets us apart. Over the last twenty years or so, the Mu- nicipality has become a leader using innova- tive technology, progressive strategies, and precise timing. Granted, we have also made our share of mistakes, but the rate of success has prevailed by far. After all, if you don't try, you won't succeed. In early 2013, Council formalized their goals in a Strategic Plan. It was a direction that Council chose based on what they heard from constituents during the then- recent election, the economic and financial climate of the province, and the current en- vironmental state. To date, we are on course and will have achieved most, if not all, of the goals set out in 2013. Having a strategic plan isn't what we owe our success to though. Nor do we owe our success to a Council with vision or staff who work hard and like their jobs (although that helps tremendously). What really strength- ens the Municipality of Chester are the resi- dents and businesses. Our residents are some of the most help- ful, intelligent, inventive and vocal people around. If you want something, you ask for it; if you like something, you tell us; and if you have a better way, you share. Doing that helps us improve, and if it weren't for the input and overall support, we may not have been inclined to try in the first place. As an organization who has to presume many things, it's refreshing to have an "open door policy" with the very people who give us a reason to be here. So, thanks for trust- ing us to do our jobs and checking in with us when we need you. Please call us at 902-275-3554 or visit our website at www. chester.ca anytime for up- dates, information or to ask a question. We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pride Guide We should take pride in what our Municipality is capable of! With your support, • we are one of the first rural municipal units to implement electronic invoicing, saving time and money; • we are the first municipal unit in Nova Scotia to be ISO certified, improving our service level and making us more accountable; • we were the first municipality in Nova Scotia to be approved under the Community Feed In Tariff program (COMFIT), allowing us to build our very own wind tower; • we will be the first municipality in North America to reduce our landfill footprint by 95% using Sustane Technologies; • we are the first municipality to explore alternate energy sources, securing both a firm environmental foothold and financial sustainability; and • we have the second lowest municipal tax rate in the Province. Although there is so much more to tell you about, these rise to the top of the list. All Councillors are available to discuss municipal issues that are important to you. To find the Councillor who represents your District, turn to Page 8, visit chester.ca, or call the Municipal Office at 902-275-3554. Do you know who your Councillor is? Visit www.chester.ca for bio and contact information. STRATEGIC PLAN 3We may not be available 24/7, but our website is. Visit us at www.chester.ca BOSS or BUST Since the last report, we received four complaints and one compliment. • A resident asked if the Municipality would remove a waste container at Wild Rose Park because previous history shows that public waste containers become very unsightly very quickly. Instead, we are checking the container daily while we are in the area. • Two related complaints were submitted, both involving berthing at the Western Shore Wharf. Boaters are not permitted to berth at a public wharf for longer than 24 hours, and only 2 hours if it at the front of the wharf (according to our Berthing Bylaw). We followed up with the owner of the boat and discovered it was mechanical so we provided some flexibility. The issue has been since resolved. • Lastly, a complaint was received from a resident concerned with a driving hazard posed by water accumulating on a section of road between Duke Street and Pig Loop Road. The pool of water could cause an accident when it freezes in the winter or because of hydroplaning in the warmer seasons. The stormwater drain isn't in a position to allow for proper drainage. We are still working on this with experienced contractors. • A compliment was received in regard to decision making at the Council/ CAO level. A resident was happy to hear that we will take extra steps towards public engagement/communications before a decision is made in situations where the impact will greatly impact citizens. Also, if the request for a substantial decision is brought to Council without Councillors being fully briefed (added late to the Agenda or supporting documents only presented at a Council meeting and not prior), it's reasonable that Council may not make a decision immediately.REGISTER A COMPLIMENT OR COMPLAINT BY: Calling 902-275-3554. Leaving your name is optional. Emailing the Municipal Clerk at pmyra@chester.ca Filling in our online form at www.chester.ca under "I Want To..." Coming in to see us at 151 King Street in Chester. Holiday Hours and Waste Collection - Municipal Offices will be closed on Monday, October 12 for Thanksgiving. Waste collection for October 12 will happen as usual and Kaizer Meadow Environmental Management Centre is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Special Collection - The next special collection will be on your regular collection day from October 19 to 30. Look for more details in the 2015 Waste Collection Calendar. Final Report on Vermicomposter - The verdict has come in on the pilot project where the Municipality partnered with Dalhousie University students to design, construct and test a large-scale vermicomposter. Although the design worked, it is better suited for a smaller operation. The amount of compostable material generated by the Municipality is too high to be processed in a reasonable period of time. The vermicomposter was offered to Forest Heights Community School to test in their upcoming year. Boundary Review Final Decision - The Utilities and Review Board (UARB) approved Council's application to keep the status quo in terms of polling district boundaries, number of councillors, and position of Warden. This means our district boundaries stay the same, we will still have seven Councillors, and we will continue to have a Warden instead of switching to a Mayor. The full decision is at http://nsuarb.novascotia.ca/decisions Status of Annex Building - Council received one submission for their call for expressions of interest for use of the Annex Building. The proposal was from Lighthouse Food Bank to use a portion of the building. Because the Municipality would have to pay to operate the entire building, renovate the attic to incorporate a fire wall, and provide upkeep, they opted to not proceed with the submission because the total cost far exceeded the proposed lease payments. Instead, the Municipality provided the Food Bank with twelve months’ notice and offered to help find an alternate location. Council also granted the Food Bank $20,000 in funding to offset relocation costs and assistance with the physical move. Of course, the offer still stands for the Food Bank to relocate to the Gold River Municipal Office, rent free. If, after that 12-month period, an alternate solution to assume ownership and costs of the building is not found, the Municipality will demolish the Annex Building as it is surplus. Gold River Municipal Office Update - Asbestos was removed, construction is on- going, and the roof tender was awarded. The tender for the roof was awarded to Gaudet Building Contractors Ltd. at a cost of $169,142.00, plus HST, which is higher than budgeted. The change in cost is attributed to the necessity of a sprinkler system, something the engineering firm didn’t include in the initial estimate. We also received grants for $50,000 from the Province under their Recreation Facilities Development Grant program as well as $75,000 from ACOA to develop community space. IN BRIEF... The Municipality will be saying hello to a new brand; possibly as soon as February 2016, almost 30 years since adopting the municipal crest. The "branding project" is an initiative stemming from the Municipality's Strategic Plan and will pro- mote economic growth by showcasing our area as the wonderful place we know it to be. The goal is to increase tourism, commercial activ- ity, and community pride. We issued a Request for Proposals and received submissions from seventeen companies interested in the project. In the end, we chose Sperry Designs at a cost of $24,653, which is $653 over budget. The South Shore Tourism Team (SSTT) combines the efforts and talents of the eleven municipalities that comprise the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Us- ing funding from the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency and the municipal units, the partners are working together to promote the South Shore as a tourism destination. So far, the group is using these methods to do so: Print Advertising: "Top 10 Tastes of the South Shore" experiences were promoted using the New Brunswick Summer Guide and Telegraph Journal and the Chronicle Herald's All in a Day’s Drive promotion. Familiarization Tours: Tours were coordinated and hosted by the SSTT as part of Tourism Aware- ness Week. One tour departed from Bridgewater and headed east to Peggy’s Cove and back while the second departed Liverpool and headed west to Bar- rington and back. Both offered more than a dozen stops and experiences along the way. Forty-three employees of South Shore businesses took the tour and became ambassadors for the South Shore. NovaScotia.com: Updates and expansion of the information for the South Shore section of the web- site (NovaScotia.com/southshore) are ongoing. This is the call to action for marketing pieces, and as such, needs to be rich with content and accurate informa- tion. Local businesses are encouraged to add or up- date their listings and include photos, packages and events. Digital Summer Contest - Pick Your Passion: This pilot with NovaScotia.com offered participants a chance to choose from some great South Shore ac- tivities. Eleven industry partners provided prizes. Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Campaign in Partnership with NovaScotia.com: This pilot project in partnership with Nova Scotia Tourism measured over 3,600 visitors to South Shore pages. Nova Star Promotion in Portland: SSTT participat- ed in the Nova Star Discovery Onboard Open House program. South Shore guides were distributed and a contest was implemented to collect email contacts. Media Writers: Over the past couple months, SSTT welcomed a number of writers to the area in part- nership with the Nova Scotia Travel Media including: • a group from Germany writing in a variety of mediums in June; • a Boston writer who does stories for active- travels.com, Men’s Journal, Yankee Mag, etc.; • Jocelyn Pride, an Australian writer, hosted in conjunction with CTC; and • a New York writer. Black Loyalist Heritage Centre: This new landmark on the South Shore officially opened in June result- ing in spectacular media attention for our region. The fall campaign theme will revolve around the Fall Colours of the South Shore. For more informa- tion, contact southshoretourism@gmail.com Sperry Designs will collaborate with community members, Council and municipal staff to come up with a branding plan that can be used to help boost recognition and awareness of our municipality. By the end of the project, we will have a brand and tagline, a brand story and guidelines, measurement tools, and a strategy on how to launch, market, and cultivate the Municipality's brand. As part of our overall economic growth plan, we will use the Municipality's brand to attract immi- grants, tourists, potential investors, and commercial ventures. Please watch for news on our upcoming public engagement meeting! BRANDNEW Help us tell our story! We are letting the world know what we are about and want your insight into what its like to live, work and play in the Municipality of Chester. How do you feel about the Municipality? What are our values and personality traits? What makes the Municipality stand out in comparison to other mu- nicipalities? Do you have any good ideas to share about images and colours you think should be rep- resented in the new brandmark? Attend a Brand Discovery Workshop on Wednes- day, September 29 from 6:30 to 8:00pm at Forest Height Community School. Don't have time to come, but still want input? Fill out our survey until October 9. Visit the Municipal Office or www.chester.ca 4 COMMUNITY INTEREST • Call (902) 275-1312 and schedule a time to have your boat pumped out Monday to Friday between 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. • Meet us at the Chester Back Harbour Wharf (Red Cross Wharf). • Securely tie your boat to the wharf (make sure to use your boat bumpers against the wharf). • A pump out during high tide is easier, especially if you have an extra long keel. Leaking “dangerous goods”? Maybe you need to use our Boat Pump Out Service... The overboard discharge of effluent from a vessel is illegal. The vessel must be either pumped out or the toilet disassembled and contents disposed of appropriately. To see the Regulations, visit http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/ regulations/SOR-2012-69/page-27.html#h-35 Many of us are already familiar with the Oak Island display at the Chester Train Station. If you haven't seen it, it does a superior job of chronicling the fascinating story of a mystery that has spanned more than a century. On June 9, a group of students and staff (left) visited the Station for a tour of the display. The visitors are from the L'nu Sipuk Kina'muokuom School, a Mik'maw school in Indian Brook on the north shore of Cape Breton. TREASURE'DMEMORIES While half the group relished the story of Oak Island as told by Display Curator Danny Hennigar, the other half benefitted from Carol Nauss’ impres- sive expertise on The Lordly House Mu- seum and Park where they enjoyed a lunch break. After the break, the group switched. The Explore Oak Island Display is owned by the Chester Municipal Heri- tage Society. Admission is free, but a donation is always appreciated. Photo and article content provided by Danny & Yvonne Hennigar Saturday, Sept. 12 Breakfast Chester Legion, 7:30-10:30am. Sunday, Sept. 13 Supper Forties Community Centre, 4:30- 6:00pm. Call 902-689-2612. Monday, Sept. 14 Blood Donor Clinic Chester Legion, 1-3pm and 5-8pm. Call 1-888-236-6283. Friday, Sept. 18 Monthly Meeting South Shore Seniors Club will meet at the Western Shore Fire Hall, 7:30pm. Saturday, Sept. 19 5th Annual Dinner Theatre County Songs with Dick's Jokes will be at the Forties Community Centre, 6:30pm. Call 902-689-2018. Sunday, Sept. 20 Crib Tournament Chester Legion, 1pm. Afternoon of Music Hubbards Area Lions Club, 1:30pm. Saturday, Sept. 26 Newfie Breakfast Chester Basin Legion, 7:30-10:30am. Annual Fish Fry Western Shore Fire Hall, 12-6pm. Hosted by St. Mark’s Anglican Church. Friday, Oct. 2 Card Game Western Shore Fire Hall, 7:30pm. Hosted by South Shore Seniors Club. Call 902-275-3677. Sunday, Oct. 4 Crib Tournament Forties Community Centre, 1 pm. Call 902-689-2147. Friday, Oct. 16 Monthly Meeting South Shore Seniors Club will meet at the Western Shore Fire Hall, 7:30pm. Friday, Nov. 6 Card Game Western Shore Fire Hall, 7:30pm. Hosted by South Shore Seniors Club. Call 902-275-3677. Every Friday until October 9 Chester Farmers' & Artisan Market Chester Train Station, 10am-2pm. Rain or shine! Every Saturday Hubbards Farmers' Market Hubbards Barn, 8am-noon til October 31. www.hubbardsbarn.org New Ross Country Market Lion's Park until October 10, 9am- noon. To have your event listed here, on our website and in our weekly newspaper event listing, please email recreation@chester.ca "There’s gold in them thar hills" or so the saying goes. Chester Basin and Gold River areas were once at the cutting edge of the Nova Scotia gold rush of the 1860s when prospec- tors discovered gold all over the Province. Today, a little prospecting still takes place but the impres- sive and surprising history of these old gold mines is still alive. Join the Chester Municipal Heritage Society for a guided walking tour of the Gold River area gold mines site every Sunday in November. Tour spaces are limited so register ahead of time. For info, call Danny Hennigar at 902-275-3718. Contributed The Canadian Tire Jumpstart Adapted Recre- ation Equipment Loan Program is a wonderful opportunity for families of kids and youth with a physical disability or acquired brain injury to experience (or continue to experience) a variety of activities. The Municipality of Chester, through this program, can offer the following pieces of equipment for use. Hippocampes - An all-terrain wheelchair that can be pushed, towed or self-propelled on land or in water. Any age can enjoy outdoor activities to their full ability. It "puts the fun in function"! It's collapsible for easy transport, lightweight, and even comes with a ski attachment! Fatwheels - Oversized training wheels that make riding a bike easier for those with special needs. Many people with Down Syndrome, Au- tism, and cerebral palsy, for example, have used fatwheels and can experience freewheelin' fun! Adapted Trikes - These comfortable and safe tricycles come in three sizes and are designed to enhance strength and self-esteem. Each one is also equipped with adjustable trunk support for stability. Sledges - Enjoy a game of hockey or just go for a glide on the ice with these innovative "sleds". Players propel themselves by using two sticks with picks - one for the right hand and one for the left. Safety equipment is also provided (helmets, gloves, shin pads). Duet Cycle - This tandem bike is easy to pedal and comes with an electric pack to assist those peddling. Essentially, it's a wheelchair on the front of a bike. You can rent these pieces of equipment for up to two weeks and the cost is only $15, which goes towards maintenance. Equipment is booked on a first come, first served basis. If you're interested in more information, call our Recreation & Parks Department at 902-275-3490 or visit our website at www.chester.ca Who says adapting isn't easy? Photo: Wilfred (Billy) Lohnes, hard rock miner from Chester Basin works his drill deep underground (photogra-pher unknown). Al Nunn Memorial Golf Tournament Chester Golf Course on Saturday, October 3, 10am $360/team of four (doesn't include carts). Pre- payment required (email money transfer available). Register with Satrina at s.swinemar@bellaliant.net or 902-277-0021, golf@chesterminorhockey.com or Jackie at 902-275-8053. All profit from the BBQ goes to PRO Kids. Events listed on our website have more details than those listed here. Visit us online! 5 COMMUNITY INTEREST PARKING in the Village of Chester is limited to 4 HOURS unless otherwise signed. Longer term parking is available in the Tancook & Visitors Parking Lot at the corner of Valley Road and Main Street. Violations may result in tickets or other penalties. The most recent physical development in this project has to be the de- molition of the house that occupied part of the Centre's future site. Last month, a local contractor removed the structure and the pieces now re- side at Kaizer Meadow Environmental Management Centre. Once OHC's site plan is approved by the Municipal Community Develop- ment Department, we will issue a Development Permit and OHC can carry on with the next stage of their plan. Right now, the development pro- cess is the "appeal stage", which means that all assessed property owners within 60 metres of the site have been notified of the development. They have until September 17 at 4:30pm to appeal the process. If there are no appeals, the Municipality can approve the site plan and issue a Develop- ment Permit, which is also needed for the Building Permit. If an appeal(s) occurs, it goes before Council on September 24 at 9:15am. Feel free to contact Heather Archibald, Development Officer for the Mu- nicipality, at 902-275-2599 or email planning@chester.ca Additionally, OHC has opened a temporary clinic in the Municipality to serve residents. It is located at 227 Central Street in Chester until their permanent home is completed next year. Names are added to a patient database by calling 902-527-1549 or emailing healthcentre@nshealth.ca Organizers of New Ross’ 200th anniversary in 2016 are starting now to invite people with ties to the community to book their vacations so they don’t miss the Anniversary celebrations from August 5 to 7, 2016. The “Come Home to New Ross” campaign is generating interest as community members use traditional post cards to invite family and those who have an interest in the community to book their vacations around celebrations planned for 2016. Post cards are free, and are available in New Ross at Clover Farms, Home Hardware, Forties Community Centre, Credit Union, the Post Office, and the weekly Farm Market. Post cards have already been mailed to family members in Australia, Florida, British Columbia and Alberta. Anniversary t-shirts and hats are also on sale at the Ross Farm Museum. During the celebration, the Anniversary Committee is planning a huge community party including musical acts throughout the weekend, a night market, a giant garden party, woodsman’s competition, and a beard growing con- test. Of course, there will also be a parade – over two dozen entries have already been received. The celebration is for everyone, and commemorates New Ross’ heritage for the last 200 years. Regular updates will be available in the New Ross Flyer and appear in local newspapers. Online, more information about the Anniversary can be found by following "New Ross – 200th Anniversary" on Facebook, adding your name to our mailing list at newross200@hotmail.com, or at newross.ca. The Sharing Square Community Garden is an initiative of the Nourish Community Garden Cooperative and is located at the Municipal Office in Chester. We invite you to visit the Garden during our Open House on Sunday, September 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. Enjoy some refreshments, demonstrations, and kids activities. Also get a free peppermint or lemon balm transplant while available. Until then, please help yourself to the veggies and herbs in the gardens. It is for everyone! Tuesday harvests are given to Lighthouse Food Bank. Open House OUR HEALTH CENTREUpdate Community Snapshot A few things you may have enjoyed or missed... • Top row - Councillor Andre Veinotte joined the Blandford Historical Society for their new interpretive plaque unveiling at the look-off in Blandford (Highway 329); • Last photo on top row - The trail entrance located near Victoria Street in Chester is now complete. A walkway was constructed to facilitate accessibility and increase safety in this area. Surface material, a handrail and signage were installed along with some landscaping; • On the left - The campsite at the Kaizer Meadow Wind Tower site is finished! There is a grassy area for tents, picnic tables, a stone firepit and chairs, a jumbo-sized lawn chair and plenty of fresh air and trees. For information and availability, please contact the Recreation and Parks Department at 902-275-3490 or email recreation@chester.ca If you have a community photo to share, please forward it to communications@chester.ca and it could make the next issue of municipal insight. The photo gallery at www.chester.ca has photos of the community garden this year and previous. You can get more information about how property taxes are applied at www.chester.ca 6 Go for Gold...River The Municipality continues to work on their new office Ever since the Province closed the Gold River- Western Shore Elementary School and handed us the keys, the Municipality has been going over options. First, should we keep, sell or demolish? Second, do we use it for ourselves or open it for community use? Finally, if we can't renovate all of it, which areas are priority? Ultimately, we opted to preserve the former school for several reasons, • Existing municipal offices are too small, • The surrounding community expressed their preference to keep the building, • Groups are interested in using the facility (we have been approached by three already), • The recreational benefits are wonderful, • Residents in general do not want to fund a new building to accommodate all staff, • It costs less money to renovate the aging school than the aging Municipal Office. Council has been criticized for this decision; mainly because of the cost and the decision to close the Annex Building. They have also received praise because of the opportunities Gold River presents. The transition for staff is not without challenges. We are moving two main departments to a different District. On top of that, renovating an existing structure is difficult in and of itself. Each foray into construction reveals something new...sometimes it's PROPERTY SERVICES or by calling 1-866-810-2882 within North America or 1-905-288-3371 outside North America. ***Fees apply*** If you pay after the due date, our interest rate is 1% per month on the total bill. Make sure your mortgage company has your tax bill. If you get a copy, they may not have... If your address changed, please call (902) 275-3554 or email propertytax@chester.ca Don’t agree with your property assessment? We can’t help you but Property Valuation Services Corporation can. Call them at 1-800-380-7775. You still have to pay us though. If your assessment is lowered, we will refund your overpayment. An insert about the Municipal Budget is included in your bill. ENJOY! MUNICIPAL TAX EXEMPTIONS Do you qualify? 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 list- ed as owners or co-owners) was less than $19,000.00 in the 2014 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 2014 Notice of Assessment from Rev- enue Canada with you. Council increased exemption amounts by $100 in each category up to $500. The amount of the exemption is based on total income and is deter- mined at the Municipal Office. Come in to apply. The exemption for the current fiscal year (April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016) will expire on March 31, 2016. Please contact the Municipal Office at 902- 275-3554 to see if you qualify. ********************** Federal Seniors Rebate Program This program helps seniors stay in their homes by providing eligible homeowners with a 50% rebate of their property taxes up to $800 per year. Call Service Canada at 1-800-277-9914 for require- ments. This program expires December 31, 2015. NOTHING CAN BE SAID TO BE CERTAIN, EXCEPT... Well it’s municipal property tax time again! Well as the old saying goes, taxes are a sure thing. So as not to disappoint, the Municipality will send their property tax bills in the mail this month. The deadline for payment is Monday, November 16, but before you pay them, there are a few things that might apply. We are located at 151 King Street in Chester and open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Payment options are listed on the back of your bill. You can pay • in person (BRING YOUR BILL INTO THE OFFICE WITH YOU) • at any Canadian bank, including online or telephone banking • by mail (WRITE ACCOUNT # ON THE CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER). Mail to 151 King St., PO Box 369, Chester NS B0J 1J0 • with a credit card. We don’t accept credit cards at the Municipal Office, but you can pay online at www.chester.ca 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 GOLD RIVER UPDATE ...and the story continues Since the last edition, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. William Smith, great-grandson of William Harris and Ann Sophia Smith. You may remember the names from the front-page piece entitled "It Never Rains on a Golf Course". The article was about the Chester Golf Course and included a brief history of the Club House. Our information indicated that the Club House was built around 1900 and Mr. Harris remained as groundskeeper for the Golf Course. As it turns out, Mr. Harris died in 1902 so it was his son Winton who remained as groundskeeper, not Mr. Harris. Thank you for dropping by, Mr. Smith. It was delightful to meet you and hear about your heritage, especially since it is so significant to Chester. Our conversation was truly enjoyable. Cosette Howlett (back) and Debbie Harnish (front) visualize where their working stations could be at the future Gold River Municipal Office . a positive and sometimes not so much. Many of the repair plans were based on old blueprints from the School Board, but as with any old structure, unrecorded repairs and additions were made over the years. Let's just say that there has been some adapting to do. For example, we had originally settled on a pitched roof, but discov- ered the existing infra- structure wouldn't sup- port the sprinkler system required. Rather than add the expense of new infrastructure, we hope to install a new, fire specialist approved, flat roof this month. We are awaiting final drawings so the Building De- partment can issue a Permit. We are also awaiting word from the Fire Specialist, who will determine if our sprinkler system is sufficient or if we have to add to it. Asbestos removal is complete (including many air quality tests) unless we need to add to our sprinkler system. Next on the list is mechanical (ventilation, etc.) and electrical work as well as determining where workstations will be and install IT infrastructure to accommodate them. So far, we have received $125,000 in total outside funding; $50,000 from a Recreation Facility Development grant (provincial) and $75,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (federal). All of the funds will be used towards renovating community space. Keep your eyes peeled for future updates! Have a solid waste question? Ask Dear Shabby at solidwaste@chester.ca PROPERTY SERVICES Dear Shabby, I recently sustained an injury at work, and I'm pretty upset over it. I collect waste for a local contractor and am aware of the regular hazards like strains, falling ob- jects, traffic and so on. But last Wednes- day, my world came to a screeching halt when I grabbed a bag of household gar- bage and felt a sting. I hoped it was a bee or fire ant, but knew that they couldn't penetrate my puncture resistant glove. Maybe I thought it could never happen. Maybe I put too much faith in the word "resistant". Either way, I felt the bottom drop out of my stomach and immediately begged for the last two minutes of my life to miraculously rewind. I was pricked with a needle. Even worse, the garbage was dumped in a public waste container so I can't even find the homeowner to ask them if I'm at risk. I just have to wait and hope. What if the needle was con- taminated? I have a wife and new baby! I don't need advice, I was just wondering if you could spread the word about the dangers of carelessly throwing away sy- ringes, needles and lancets. ~ signed Devastated in Deep Cove Dear Shabby Friendly waste disposal advice Dear “Devastated”: When I read your letter, I was touched. Of course I will spread the word. I am just so troubled at the thought of people still tossing their needles and syringes in a regular garbage bag. After all of these years of education and warnings! There are even containers available at pharma- cies for sharps...FOR FREE! People, just because you know your sharps aren't con- taminated, doesn't mean a waste handler knows. Please save the distress of situa- tions such as this and place your sharps in a proper, sealed container for disposal. Ask your pharmacist for advice. Devastated, I can't imagine your anxiety with each and every blood test you take to find out whether you carry a blood borne disease or infection that will put your health and the health of your family at risk. I hear it can take up to six months to detect certain viruses. Whatever the outcome, please know that you are ad- mired for your strength. *********************************************** Please call any of the three Pharmasaves in the Municipality of the Chester about the Safe Sharps program. Or, for infor- mation, visit www.putwasteinitsplace.ca Coming to a curb near you... starring INSPECTION · UNSORTED WASTE · REJECTION read the 2015 waste for guidelines in bag and other CALENDAR · SORTING · LIMITS · STUFF Call 902-275-2330 or 902-275-1312 for a copy. 7 it's back, and it means business Starting this SP R I N G ! ! ! Even Fall special collection c a n n o t escape ENFORCEMENT!!! We now have containers for old batteries in the lobby of the Municipal Building (151 King Street, Chester). There are two tubes - one for alkaline batteries and one for rechargeable batteries. Alkaline batteries are regular, disposable dry- cell batteries that come in various sizes like C and AAA. Rechargeable batteries have a much longer life and are found in things like: • cell phones • two-way radios • pagers • cameras • calculators • cordless tools • PDAs (palm pilots, planners, etc.) You can also drop off batteries at Adam's Bottle Exchange & ENVIRO-DepotTM in Gold River. We also accept batteries at the Kaizer Meadow Environmental Management Centre along with all waste. If you want to recycle an entire cell phone, a "Recycle My Cell" container is also located alongside the battery containers. Visit www. recyclemycell.ca to learn about the program and steps to take BEFORE recycling your cell phone, such as deleting personal information. For information about the Municipality's waste collection and reduction programs, please call the Solid Waste Department at 902-275-2330. BATTERY RECYCLING IS BACK!Now more accessible than before When GOODGarbage Goes BAD We've all seen it...that huge pile of garbage domi- nating the curbside, almost spilling into the road. The mountain of shingles and/or wood amid an ex- panse of black garbage bags. It seems like it would take days to put that much garbage at the end of a driveway. Unfortunately, waste collectors don't have days to load it on their trucks. Nor do they have the time to make multiple trips to the Landfill for a single residence. That's why there are limits. The Municipality provides two special collections per year: spring and fall. There are ten routes over two weeks accommodating well over 6,000 dwell- ings. To be fair, we have restrictions on the volume of waste as well as what we will accept curbside. Also in fairness to residents who have to exceed special collection limits on occasion, Kaizer Meadow Environmental Management Centre offers FREE dis- posal of up to 1,500 pounds per trip delivered by the property owner. Even if the load surpasses 1,500 pounds, we have some of the lowest tipping fees in Nova Scotia. For info, visit www.chester.ca or look on page 24 of the 2015 Waste Collection Calendar. Also in the Calendar are rules for disposing special collection items curbside. In summary, • Items can be put curbside a MAXIMUM of 24 hours prior to collection; • Except for furniture, items can't exceed 50 lbs in weight, 4 feet in length or 46 cubic feet in volume (equivalent to 12 full clear bags); • Box or bag small items; • Except for one black bag, bagged garbage must be in clear bags no larger than 31"x42"; • We don't collect electronics, hazardous waste, tires, propane tanks, items containing Freon®, or large amounts of wood or asphalt shingles; • We do collect large appliances, metal, furni- ture and mattresses, building materials and up to ten lobster traps per residence. The next special collection is on your regularly scheduled pick-up day between October 19 and 30. Please contact the Solid Waste Department with any questions by calling 902-275-2330. Tweet of the Week Our most popular post on Twitter in August was... For info on the reVISION, visit chester.ca/revision or follow us on Twitter @chestermun QR Code: Download a QR Reader app on your mobile device (eg. iPhone). Hold it over the code while your device scans it, and it will open our website directly. Here, you will find all of the latest up- dates, minutes, tender information, and more. Twitter: Search for @chestermun or @ChesterRecParks in your Twitter account. Follow us and get regular updates and notifications about municipal issues, including live tweets from Council meetings. Facebook: Visit www.facebook.com/ChesterMunicipality and learn about events and stories happening in the area. If you have some- thing to share, message us! We will post your event or photos! Instagram: Follow us at chestermuni to see photos of municipal events and daily life in the Municipality! Tag us in your pics! If you have questions about…call this Department...at this number Animal Control (Dogs)Animal Control Officer 902-277-0017 Bandstand/Gazebo rental (Wedding)Recreation & Parks Department 902-275-3490 Boat Launches Recreation & Parks Department 902-275-3490 Building Permits/Inspections Building/Fire Inspection 902-275-3080 By-Laws Community Development Dept 902-275-3080 Civic Numbering Community Development Dept 902-275-2599 Composting Solid Waste Dept/Public Works 902-275-2330/902-275-1312 Council Meetings Administration/Tax Department 902-275-3554 Fire Inspections Building/Fire Inspection 902-275-3080 Islands (use of)Recreation & Parks Department 902-275-3490 Kaizer Meadow Solid Waste Department 902-275-2330 Municipal Sewer Public Works Department 902-275-1312 After Hours Emergencies 1-888-664-6998 Parks/Trails Recreation & Parks Department 902-275-3490 Planning Areas Community Development Dept 902-275-2599 Recycling Solid Waste Dept/Public Works 902-275-2330/902-275-1312 Sewer (central system)Public Works Department 902-275-1312 Taxes Administration/Tax Dept 902-275-3554 Waste Collection Solid Waste Dept/Public Works 902-275-2330/902-275-1312 Wharves Public Works Department 902-275-1312 Zoning Community Development Dept 902-275-2599 fax mail email 902-275-4771 151 King Street administration@chester.ca publicworks@chester.ca P O Box 369 building@chester.ca recreation@chester.ca Chester NS B0J 1J0 planning@chester.ca solidwaste@chester.ca Municipal Districts and Councillors #1 East Chester, East River to Northwest Cove Andre Veinotte 902-277-1409 #2 Simms Settlement, Hubbards to The Lodge Floyd Shatford 902-857-9817 #3 Chester and part of East Chester Brad Armstrong 902-275-3121 #4 Chester Basin and Chester Grant Allen Webber 902-275-2536 #5 Gold River to Martins River Robert Myra 902-627-2470 #6 New Ross and area Tina Connors 902-679-4461 #7 Marriotts Cove, Windsor Road to Sherwood Sharon Church-Cornelius 902-275-2281 For exact district boundaries, call the Municipal Office at 902-275-3554 or click on the “Inform” menu option on our website. Provincial Contacts Department of Environment ..........................................................902-543-4685 Labour ...................................................................902-543-0665 Natural Resources .................................................902-634-7555 Public Health .........................................................902-543-0850 Transportation (Bridgewater) ................................902-543-8169 Transportation (Marriott’s Cove)...........................902-275-3221 Property Valuation Services (Assessments) ...........1-800-380-7775 MP Gerald Keddy ...................................................1-888-816-4446 ..................................................................................902-527-5655 MLA Denise Peterson-Rafuse ................................1-877-740-3378 ..................................................................................902-279-3378 Description Successful Bidder Price Over/Under Budget (gross)Type Date Gold River Bridge Repairs The Municipality received one submission for this tender and subsequently rejected it as it came in at 14 times the budgeted amount. The tender was for repairs to the railway bridge in Gold River. Annex Building The Municipality received one expression of interest but rejected it as the proposal didn't adequately cover the costs of maintaining the building. As a result, Council voted to demol- ish the Annex Building after one year unless a more fiscally justifiable alternate is presented. Gold River School Roof Upgrade (issued three times)Gaudet Building Contractors $169,142 OVER $50,142 Tender 05/2015 Heavy Equipment Service • Sewer Repairs (5 years) • Trail Maintenance (1 year) • Municipal Property (1 year) George Zinck Excavating & Trucking Ltd. $55-$80/hr (equipment) $26/hr (labour) ON BUDGET (pending use)RSO 05/2015 Traffic Control Services Eastern Traffic Control Services $17,565 (Year 1 est.)ON BUDGET (pending use)RSO 06/2015 Western Shore Forcemain Installation GK Morse & Sons Trucking Ltd.$280,582 UNDER $379,518 Tender 07/2015 Sewer Cleaning and Video Inspection Royal Environmental Inc.$14,368.20 UNDER $12,516.55 Tender 08/2015 Brand, Image & Strategy Sperry Design $24,600 OVER $653.37 RFP 08/2015 Zoe Valle Roof Replacement KD Roofing Ltd.$6,390 UNDER $7,136.40 Tender 08/2015 * Prices listed do not include HST. ** For information on the tender process, please contact administration@chester.ca Tenders Recently Awarded