HomeMy Public PortalAbout2020-01-23_COW_Public Agenda PackagePage 1 of 2 of Agenda Cover Page(s)
Committee of the W hole
AGENDA
Thursday,January 23, 2020
Chester Municipal Council Chambers
151 King Street, Chester, NS
1.MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
2.APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ORDER OF BUSINESS
3.PUBLIC INPUT SESSION (8:45 A.M.–9:00 A.M.)
4.MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
4.1.Committee of the Whole –December 19, 2019
5.MATTERS ARISING
6.POLICY DEVELOPMENT/REVIEW
7.CORRESPONDENCE
8.NEW BUSINESS:
8.1 Information on 22nd NS Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister’s
Conference –February 25-27, 2020 (Halifax).
8.2 Request for Decision prepared by Solid Waste Department regarding letter from
Region 6 Solid Waste-Resource Management dated December 16,2019
regarding approval of the 2019-20 Region 6 Inter-Municipal Committee Budget
for the upcoming fiscal April 1, 2020 –March 31, 2021.
8.3 Request for Decision prepared by Community Development Department
regarding Planning Advisory Committee and Area Advisory Committee
Recommendations.
8.4 Request for Decision dated January 13, 2019 from Fire Services Coordinator
regarding request of the Municipality of Barrington to the Department of
Education and Early Child Development regarding credits to student s who join a
volunteer fire department and complete required training.
8.5 Request for Decision prepared by Fire Services Coordinator regarding 2019 Year
End Safety Report and 2020 Safety Workplan.
Page 2 of 2
8.6 Request for Decision prepared by Finance Department regarding Public Survey
information for upcoming budget process. (TBC)
9.IN CAMERA
10.ADJOURNMENT
8.7 Community Development Department – Quarterly Update
REQUEST FOR DECISION -DIRECTION
Prepared By:Christa Rafuse, P. Eng Date January 14, 2020
Reviewed By:Date
Authorized By:Dan McDougall, CAO Date January 17, 2020
CURRENT SITUATION
On Friday, November 29, 2019, the Region 6 Inter-Municipal Committee (Region 6) met regarding the
budget for the upcoming fiscal April1, 2020 –March 31, 2021. A motion was presented to recommend
approval of the Budget in the amount of $833,272 to member councils.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council approve,as per Deputy Warden Shatford endorsement,the Region 6 Inter-
Municipal Committee budget for 2020-21 in the amount of $833,272.The Committee should then be
notified of the approval prior to March 14, 2020.
BACKGROUND
This is a regular annual request to Counci l for approval made by Region 6 Solid Waste-Resource
Management.
DISCUSSION
Please find attached a letter from the Regional Coordinator requesting approval and a copy of the proposed
budget.Deputy Warden Shatford who is a member of the Region 6 Committee endorses the proposed
budget for the upcoming fiscal year April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
IMPLICATIONS
Financial/Budgetary
Municipality of Chester billing in the amount of $ 9,207.39 for 2020/21 (based on population per Municipal
area serviced (see page 3, budget attached).
OPTIONS1.Approval of Recommendation2.Request for Additional Information
ATTACHMENTS
Letter date December 16, 2019 to Dan McDougall from Region 6 which includes a breakdown of the Region
6 Solid Waste Management Budget.
REPORT TO:CAO and Council
MEETING DATE:January 23, 2020
SUBMITTED BY:Christa Rafuse, P.Eng.
SUBJECT:Budget 2020-21 –Region 6 Inter-Municipal
Committee
ORIGIN:Region 6 Solid Waste-Resource
Management
REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
Prepared By:Garth Sturtevant Date January 14, 2020
Reviewed By:Tara Maguire Date January 16, 2020
Authorized By:Dan McDougall Date January 17, 2020
CURRENT SITUATION
At a meeting held on January 9, 2020, Municipal Council gave direction to make changes to the
committee structure for planning matters. Council selected option 2 from the staff report dated January 9,
2020, which included disbanding the Citizen’s Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC), the Municipal Area
Advisory Committee (MAAC)and the Chester Village Area Advisory Committee (VAAC). Two new
committees will be formed;the Chester Village Planning Advisory Committee and the Municipal Planning
Advisory Committee.
Current members of CPAC, VAAC and MAAC, will be invited to apply for the new committees. In addition,
the vacancies on the new committees will be advertised in the local newspaper. The Nominating
Committee will then meet to determine which applicants should be appointed to each of the new
committees.
RECOMMENDATION
For discussion and direction.
BACKGROUND
With the conclusion of the reVISION Plan Review and adoption of the new Municipal Planning Strategy
and Land Use By-law, a change in the Planning Advisory Committee structure is now required. The
Citizen’s Planning Advisory Committee, whose mandate was to guide the reVISION process states that the
Committee will disband when the new Municipal MPS and LUB come into effect.
DISCUSSION
Attached to this report are draft Terms of Reference for both the Chester Village Planning Advisory
Committee and the Municipal Planning Advisory Committee.This change will, in effect, revert to the
committee structure that was previously in place prior to the creati on of the Citizen’s Planning Advisory
Committee in 2014. The Terms of Reference reflect the mandate and role of each Committee and
generally speak to the authority and scope of the work to be undertaken in respect to the Municipal
Government Act and the Heritage Property Act.
REPORT TO:Committee of the Whole
SUBMITTED BY:Community Development Department
DATE:January 23, 2020
SUBJECT:Terms of Reference for Planning
Advisory Committees
ORIGIN:Staff
2 Request For /Direction
IMPLICATIONS
Policy
Financial/Budgetary
Environmental
Strategic Plan
Work Program Implications
CONCLUSION
The attached Terms of Reference are presented for consideration and approval. If Council is satisfied with
the attached terms, they may be adopted as Policy. Once the policies become effective,staff will initiate
the process to form the new Planning Advisory Committees and disband the existing Citizen’s Planning
Advisory Committee, Village Area Advisory Committee and Municipal Area Advisory Committee.
OPTIONS
1.Give 1st notice of intent to the following policy amendments:
Policy P-39 Chester Village Planning Advisory Committee
Policy P-63 Chester Municipal Planning Advisory Committee
2.Do not give 1st notice of intent to the attached policies.Request changes or alternatives to the
proposed Committee Structure;
3.Defer making a decision pending further information.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Amended Policy P-39 Chester Village Planning Advisory Committee
Draft Amended Policy P-63 Chester Municipal Planning Advisory Committee
Municipality of the District of Chester
Chester Village
Planning Advisory
Committee
Policy P-39
Amended –Effective Date –January 30,2020
P-39 Chester Village Planning Advisory Committee (continued)
Notice of Intention to Adopt –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)First Notice –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Second Notice –Council –January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date –January 30,2020 Page 2
MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF CHESTERPOLICY P-39CHESTER VILLAGE PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE1.This Policy applies to the Committee expressly established by this policy.2.Council hereby establishes the Planning Advisory Committee for the Village of Chester as astanding Committee of Council.3.The mandate of this Committee shall be as follows:(a)Under the Municipal Government Act:(i)To advise Council on planning matters that have been referred to it by Council,including the preparation, amendment, and administration of the SecondaryPlanning Strategy, the Land Use By-law, and the Subdivision By-law whichapply to Chester Village.(ii)The Committee may request that Council refer to it for study andrecommendation any planning related matter that has come to theCommittee’s attention.(b)Under the Heritage Property Act, but not including any part of the District outside ofChester Village to advise Council on:(i)The inclusion of buildings, streetscapes, and areas in the Municipal Registryof Heritage Property;(ii)Any application for permission to substantially alter or demolish a MunicipalHeritage Property;( iii)The guidelines to be used in evaluating proposals to include buildings in theRegistry or to alter or demolish Heritage Properties;( iv)Building, zoning or other regulations that affect the attainment of the intentand purpose of the Provincial Heritage Property Act;(v)Any other matters conducive to the effective carrying out of the ProvincialHeritage Property Act.4.The Committee may be made up of seven (7)members composed as follows:(a)The member of Council representing District 3, being the only Council Districtaffected by the Chester Village Secondary Planning Strategy;(b)The Warden (ex officio);
P-39 Chester Village Planning Advisory Committee (continued)
Notice of Intention to Adopt –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)First Notice –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Second Notice –Council –January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date –January 30,2020 Page 3
(c)Up to four (4) members appointed by Council from the general public residing withinthe area affected by the Chester Village Secondary Planning Strategy; and(d)One (1) member nominated by the Commissioners for the Village of Chester.5.The following provisions shall apply to the Committee:(a)The Council member shall be appointed for a one (1) year term and all other membersshall be appointed for a two (2) year term unless Council, by resolution, appoints foreither a shorter or longer term at its discretion. The Warden shall be an ex officiomember during the term of office;(b)The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee shall be elected by the Committee for atwo (2) year term;(c)Members of the Committee shall receive remuneration for attendance at all meetingscalled to deal with Committee business in accordance with the rates established byCouncil for Standing Committees;(d)The Committee shall meet as frequently as necessary upon the call of the Chair to de alwith its mandate as expressed in this policy. All motions of the Committee shall bereportedtotheCitizen Planning Advisory Committee meeting which next followseach Committee meeting;(e)The Committee may request, through the Chief Administrative Of ficer, assistancefrom Municipal Staff in the form of advice, consultation, background research ,preparation of materials for meetings, and attendance at meetings.(f)All Committee meetings shall be open to the public unless the Committee by majorityvotemoves to a meeting in private to discuss matters related to personnel, certaintypes of legal advice or other issues in accordance with Section 203 of the MunicipalGovernment Act.(g)Notice of Committee meetings shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the Municipalbuilding for five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting and notice of the meetingshall be given either on the Municipal Website or in a local newspaper.(h)Minutes of Committee meetings shall be made available to the Public after theminutes are approved by the Committee.(i)The Chair of the Committee may request through the Chief Administrative Officer thatthe Municipal Solicitor attend meetings of the Committee or otherwise advise thecommittee.
P-39 Chester Village Planning Advisory Committee (continued)
Notice of Intention to Adopt –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)First Notice –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Second Notice –Council –January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date –January 30,2020 Page 4
Annotation for Official Policy BookNotice of Intention to Amend January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Date of First Notice at Council January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Date of Second Notice at Council January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)
I certify that this Policy was amended by Council as indicated above.
_______________________________________January XX,2020Pamela M. Myra, Municipal Clerk Date
P-39 Chester Village Planning Advisory Committee (continued)
Notice of Intention to Adopt –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)First Notice –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Second Notice –Council –January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date –January 30,2020 Page 5
ADOPTION/AMENDMENT INFORMATIONDateReason for Adoption/Amendment2014To establish the terms of the Chester Village Area Advisory Committee,which will allow for the mandate of the Citizens Planning AdvisoryCommittee and its review of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land UseBy-law, and to direct the Committee to advise Council on matters under theHeritage Act.2020 To re-establish a Planning Advisory Committee for the Village of Chester.This change coincides with the adoption of the new Municipal PlanningStrategy and Land Use By-law and the disbanding of the Citizen’s PlanningAdvisory Committee.
Municipality of the District of Chester
Chester Municipal
Planning Advisory
Committee
Policy P-63
Amended –Effective Date –January 30,2020
Chester Municipal Planning Advisory Committee –P-63 (continued)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Notice of Intention to Adopt –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)First Notice –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Second Notice –January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date –January 30, 2020 Page 4
MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF CHESTERPOLICY P-63CHESTER MUNICIPAL PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE1.This Policy applies to the Committee expressly established by this policy.2.Council hereby establishes the “Chester Municipal Planning Advisory Committee” as astanding Committee of Council.3.The mandate of this Committee shall be as follows:(a)Under the Municipal Government Act:(i)To advise Council on planning matters that have been referred to it by Council,including the preparation, amendment, and administration of the PlanningStrategy, the Land Use By-law, and the Subdivision By-law which apply to thewhole of the District of Chester.(ii)The Committee may request that Council refer to it for study andrecommendation any planning related matter that has come to theCommittee’s attention.(b)Under the Heritage Property Act, but not including the Village of Chester, to adviseCouncil on:(i)The inclusion of buildings, streetscapes, and areas in the Municipal Registryof Heritage Property;(ii)Any application for permission to substantially alter or demolish a MunicipalHeritage Property;(iii)The guidelines to use in evaluating proposals to include buildings in theRegistry or to alter or demolish Heritage Properties;(iv)Building, zoning or other regulations that affect the attainment of the intentand purpose of the Provincial Heritage Property Act;(v)Any other matters conducive to the effective carrying out of the ProvincialHeritage Property Act.
4.The Committee may be made up of ten (10) members composed as follows:(a)Two (2) members of Council;(b)The Warden (ex officio);
Chester Municipal Planning Advisory Committee –P-63 (continued)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Notice of Intention to Adopt –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)First Notice –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Second Notice –January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date –January 30, 2020 Page 5
(c)Seven (7) members appointed by Council from the general public, one member fromeach Council District.(i)With respect to the member appointed to represent District 3, preferenceshall be given to applicants who reside within District 3 but outside of theVillage of Chester.5.The following provisions shall apply to the Committee:(a)The two Council members shall be appointed for a one (1) year term and all othermembers shall be appointed for a two (2) year term unless Council, by resolution,appoints for either a shorter or longer term at its discretion. The Warden shall be anex officio member during the term of office;(b)The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee shall be elected by the Committee for atwo (2) year term;(c)Members of the Committee shall receive remuneration for attendance at all meetingscalled to deal with Committee business in accordance with the rates established byCouncil for Standing Committees;(d)The Committee shall meet as frequently as necessary upon the call of the Chair to dealwith its mandate as expressed in this policy. All motions of the Commi ttee shall bereported to Council at the earliest possible opportunity following the Committeemeeting;(e)The Committee may request, through the Chief Administrative Officer, assistancefrom Municipal Staff in the form of advice, consultation, background research ,preparation of materials for meetings, and attendance at meetings.(f)All Committee meetings shall be open to the public unless the Committee by majorityvote moves to a meeting in private to discuss matters related to personnel, certaintypes of legal advice or other issues in accordance with Section 203 of the MunicipalGovernment Act.(g)Notice of Committee meetings shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the Municipalbuilding for five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting and notice of the meetingshall be given either on the Municipal Website or in a local newspaper.(h)Minutes of Committee meetings shall be made available to the Public after theminutes are approved by the Committee.(i)The Chair of the Committee may request through the Chief Administrative Officer thatthe Municipal Solicitor attend meetings of the Committee or ot herwise advise thecommittee.
Chester Municipal Planning Advisory Committee –P-63 (continued)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Notice of Intention to Adopt –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)First Notice –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Second Notice –January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date –January 30, 2020 Page 6
Annotation for Official Policy BookNotice of Intention to Adopt/Amend COW –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Date of First Notice at Council COW –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Date of Second Notice at Council Council –January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date January 30, 2020I certify that this Policy was adopted by Council as indicated above.
_______________________________________January 30, 2020Pamela M. Myra, Municipal Clerk Date
Chester Municipal Planning Advisory Committee –P-63 (continued)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Notice of Intention to Adopt –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)First Notice –Council –January 23, 2020 (2020-XXX)Second Notice –January 30, 2020 (2020-XXX)Effective Date –January 30, 2020 Page 7
ADOPTION/AMENDMENT INFORMATIONDateReason for Adoption/Amendment2014To establish the terms of the Chester Municipal Area Advisory Committee,which will allow for the mandate of the Citizens Planning Advisory Committeeand its review of the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law, and todirect the Committee to advise Council on matters under the Heritage Act.2020 To re-establish a Planning Advisory Committee for the Village of Chester. Thischange coincides with the adoption of the new Municipal Planning Strategyand Land Use By-law and the disbanding of the Citizen’s Planning AdvisoryCommittee.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT (October – December 2019)
Municipality of Chester- Quarterly Report
SIGNIFICANT INITIATIVES (2019/20 Work Program)
Initiative Status Target
Delivery Date
RE: VISION PLAN
REVIEW
Completed reVISION Plan Review, public engagement,
distributed copies, postering at businesses, Public
Hearing held November 25
Final changes, Council approval, Provincial Review all
complete
Q3 / 2019-20 –
COMPLETED
SIGNAGE BY-
LAW/PROGRAM
Waiting on NSTIR for Ministerial Review;
Preparing program for roll out
Q2 / 2019-20 –
Delivery of draft
document on
schedule but
waiting for NSTIR
approval
SHARED SERVICES
Townsuite permit tracking software is in process of being
implemented; MODL will be moving to this new system
and MODC will be updated to a newer version than we
currently have
A demonstration site (sandbox) will be created for staff
to learn the new software and to use the software to
help determine the new processes that will be put in
place
Working with IT from MODC and MJSB to host Laserfiche
for the shared services team
Finance working group in process of developing funding
model and phase 2 recommendations
Q3 / 2019-20
FIRE PROTECTION
SERVICES REVIEW
Phase 1 completed, reviewed with Steering Committee
and presented findings to Council
Phase 2 report in progress
Steering Committee meeting end of January to review
Phase 2 recommendations before bringing forward to
Council
Phase 3 expected in February
Q3 / 2019-20 –
Consultant’s work
plan (phases to
follow) & report
(overdue – was
schedule for
completion in
December)
FLOOD PLAIN MAPPING
(INLAND WITH MODL)
Presentation by CBCL to staff and council at a joint
MODC/MODL council meeting September 17
In process of finalizing report and data
Q3 / 2019-20
COASTAL FLOOD RISK
ASSESSMENT
On Hold waiting for Provincial Program Q4 / 2019-20
ASPOTOGAN RIDGE
DEVELOPMENT
Continue to work with Developer to move toward
Signing Asptogan Ridge Golf Village DA;
Q2 / 2019-20
COMPLETED
MUNICIPAL WATER
STRATEGY
Steering committee working with Coastal Action to
develop public survey to collect baseline data
Q3 / 2019-20
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT (October – December 2019)
Municipality of Chester- Quarterly Report
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Activity Status
Fire Services Completed GPS location and mapping of existing dry hydrants across MODC
and updated FUS files.
Completed P33 registration packages for 2020 and issued schedule B letters
to Commissions.
Hosted Volunteer Firefighter recognition and appreciation Dinner at the Oak
Island Resort. All Departments attending.
Held successful MODC Fire Prevention Day at the Chester Shore Mall. Great
turn out from our departments, other response agencies and general public.
Smoke alarm handouts.
Implemented MODC GOG 009 for the election of Fire Services Association of
Nova Scotia (FSANS) representative. Recognition of previous FSANS
representative was issued.
Initiated a review of Cowan’s general property and liability in view of new
competitive program from BFL insurance. Likely to issue a RFP.
Initiated a review of fire fighter accident and disability insurance following Bill
204 mandate to Municipalities to provide WCB coverage. Deadline for set up
is October 2021.
Continuing working with DMA on Western Shore Fire/Martins River
Commission on by-laws, boundaries and transition to Rural Fire District Act.
Continuing committee work on Dispatch Protocols for Lunenburg County and
provided input through NSFM on Provincial dispatch review.
Supported Mutual Aid and Fire Smart practices for all Departments.
Continuing with other municipal Fire Service Coordinators on input to
Municipal Joint Services Committee on the Fire Services (POMAX) review.
Continuing inter-municipal support on various fire services issues.
Continuing work on inter municipal mutual aid agreements.
Continuing work to model a revised fire advisory committee with MODC
Council.
Fox Point Lake Water
Quality Monitoring
Committee
No change, monitoring program work continues
Safety Program
Completed internal safety program audit and received Certificate of
Recognition and Letter of Good Standing from Construction Safety Nova
Scotia
Completed Youth Survey and safety program audit by Department of Labor
and Advanced Education. No compliance issues. Good report and relations
with DOLAE.
Extended Staff Safety Resource Center and monthly communications to staff
and supervisors.
Issued staff safety awards in recognition of 100,000 hrs worked without
serious injury. Road hazard (winter)/first aid kit was supplied to staff.
Launched our Winter safety campaign with focus on slips, trips and falls,
holiday safety and prevention of hypothermia.
Completed 2019 year end safety report and 2020 Workplan.
Continuing development of standard online staff orientation program and
return to work program.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT (October – December 2019)
Municipality of Chester- Quarterly Report
Continuing work on recommendations from Fire Department and update on
Emergency Response Plan for Kaizer Meadow following landfill fires.
Planning Projects Representation in a Provincial Accessibility Reconciliation Committee
Mahone Bay – Continued work with Developer for Development Agreement
for Nursing Home
PAC Meeting, Site Visit, Council Report
Meet and work with Forrest Heights student council (spirit committee)
multiple times
o Attended their soccer provincials and Remembrance Day ceremony
on Warden’s behalf
Completed series of amendments to Chester Village SPS & LUB to coordinate
with new MPS & LUB
Amendments to Outdoor Fire By-law to reflect changes to Chester Village
Planning Area (SPS Amendments).
Civic Addressing
1 process started for community name update for spelling correction, from
Aldersville to Aaldersville
- 35 new civic address, 8 civic address retired
- 31 replacement signs ordered
Emergency
Management (EMO)
Continued meetings new REMC to review REMO roles and responsibilities.
ECC training meeting
Participated in Mass Causality training with EHS, Department of Health and
Fire Services.
Review of comfort center policy
UARB Appeal Suspended pending outcome of Charter Challenge
Professional
Development
FIANS fire inspection continuing education training.
Safety Conference (Halifax)
AMANS Board Meetings
FIANS fire inspection continuing education training.
2019 Safety Conference (Halifax)
Engagement session with ‘Bang the Table’ to learn more about what our
voices and choices website has to offer December 13th
Attended Kings Public Hearing – adoption of new planning documents
Canadian Institute of Planners Webinar – Inclusionary Costal Regional
Planning
Webinar – Perfect City: Lessons, Challenges ad Pitfalls of the World’s Greatest
Cities
METRICS
Planning Committee Meetings (VAAC, CPAC, MAAC) 2
Public Hearings 3
Public Information Meetings 0
Council Workshop/Joint Meetings 0
Dangerous and Unsightly Premises Meetings - CM 2
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT (October – December 2019)
Municipality of Chester- Quarterly Report
Other meetings & committees
2 South Shore Housing Action Coalition
Meetings
Meeting on Big Tancook Island
December 20th regarding new Ferry
services
Mahone Bay meetings 2
Various fire services and REMO meetings • JOHSC
• REMO Advisory and AEC meetings
• Fire Services Coordinators
teleconferences
• Fire Commissions and Fire
Departments
• Risk Assessment tours and Fire
Department visits.
• Lunenburg East Fire Services
• Lunenburg Regional Fire Services
• Canadian Volunteer Fire Services
Conference
• FSANS Director’s meetings
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT (July - September 2019)
Municipality of Chester- Quarterly Report
SIGNIFICANT INITIATIVES (2019/20 Work Program)
Initiative Status Target Delivery
Date
RURAL INTERNET
Waiting for Develop NS announcements
Waiting for CRINS to process TNC applications
KAIZER MEADOW Completed Wetland Delineation
Preparing RFD for further direction on next steps
Wetland Delineation
& Boundary Survey:
June, 2019 -
COMPLETED
SECTOR STRATEGY
Phase 2 (A) of our Investment Attraction
Strategy complete for our first two sectors,
Greentech and Business Services on December
31st.
Successfully applied for the next round of Global
Affairs’ CanExport Community Investments
Program (a matching $7,500 contribution) to
support Phase 2 (B), which will support our
Investment Attraction Strategy remaining
identified sectors
Sector Marketing
Strategy Phase 1:
COMPLETED
Sector Marketing
Strategy Phase 2-
Foreign Direct
Investment Project:
March, 2020
TOURISM CHESTER Autumn saw Tourism shifting into the “Shoulder
Season” along the South Shore but as always
with a plan to highlight and expand our offering
of “things to do” throughout the Municipality of
Chester.
We launched Fall in Love with Chester with the
goal of owning October on the South Shore –
this year’s efforts were focused on Chester
Village with special events happening every
weekend – from sales, to art shows, special
movies and concerts at the Playhouse and the
all new Hearth & Homes Tours which saw The
Rope Loft & Salty Dog Sea tours teaming up for
a boat tour of the amazing homes you can only
see from the sea and a fall infused meal at the
famed dockside restaurant. Our goal for 2020
will be to increase the offering and market the
month long festival even earlier.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT (July - September 2019)
Municipality of Chester- Quarterly Report
With the holiday happenings starting the first
weekend of November and running straight
through to New Year’s Day – we began
promoting everything we could find to classify
FESTIVE FUN and giving ourselves the hashtag
#MerriestMunicipality. Craft sales and seasonal
gatherings were truly well attended throughout
the MOC – with the weather only causing a few
kerfuffles. The two flagship events – Chester
Village Christmas (always the last weekend of
November) and The New Ross Christmas
Festival (always the first full weekend of
December) were great draws as were the good
number of concerts, tree lightings and
community suppers. Our plans for 2020 will be
to truly brand ourselves The Merriest
Municipality and own the holiday season on
the South Shore!
While our mobile efforts wrapped up last
quarter – all of our Tourism Ambassador
locations throughout the MOC remained open.
(Station 20 Craft Shoppe & Museum being the
exception which closed mid October) Our racks
remained checked and stocked until the end of
the calendar year. One change to the
Ambassador line up came in late October when
Going Coastal passed their rack over to their
next door neighbours Chester’s Cafe who’ll fill
in the position for the balance of the 2019/20
season and more than likely become an official
Ambassador with our season launch in May
2020.
Our Tourism Ambassador flags had a very hard
season – some damaged/broken by Dorian, one
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT (July - September 2019)
Municipality of Chester- Quarterly Report
stolen and all fading in the South Shore sun –
the plan is to start the 20/21 season with a
fresh batch. Also damaged in high winter winds
was the specially designed signed for The Deck
in Blandford. It was removed by Public Works in
December at which time the the decision was
made to wait until spring before replacing it
with an even sturdier design.
While it has been decided we’ll continue into
our 20/21 Season with a mobile component we
realize the current kiosk won’t make it through
another season – with that in mind we are
compiling a list of feasible and fantastic options
to present to Council for review this February
2020.
Since we are firm believers in “more is more”
when it comes to “things to celebrate” here in
the MOC we were thrilled to see 2019 include
the launch of 3 spirited businesses - Tipping
Point Distillers in Chester Basin, Black Harbour
Distillers in Hubbards and the 2nd location for
Tanner & Co Brewing with their tap room
Tanner & Co. On Duke in the Village of Chester.
AND... with the January 1st grand opening of
SENSEA (pronounced – Sen-See-Ya) here in
Chester we can now boast the first and only
Nordic Spa in Nova Scotia. It truly is a
spectacular spot and once they have the
accommodations side of their first phase up
and running (20 yurts ideally by Summer 2020)
they will be an even bigger draw to our area.
The MOC resident focused #LOVEwhereyoulive
campaign rolled into year two in November
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT (July - September 2019)
Municipality of Chester- Quarterly Report
2019 with increased interest, more Ambassador
of Buzz businesses and more and more clings
being spotted all over the place – cheers to a
big 2nd Year!
Lots of exciting efforts are in the works for the
20/21 season so stay tuned for all and PLEASE
mark your calendars and make plans to join us
for the 2nd Annual FOR THE LOVE OF LOBSTER
event on Sunday, February 9th. With the goal of
celebrating ALL that our amazing Municipality
has to offer - including the LOBSTER CHOWDER
CHOWDOWN SHOWDOWN – you won’t want
to miss it!
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Activity Status
Business Retention and
Expansion Program
Work began on scope for project
Events Levy Currently sitting with the Province
Business Engagement 3 Hugh MacKay BDAG mtgs; 2 Events Lunenburg County mtg.; 3
business meetings; 1 HABA mtg; 3 Regional ED meetings; 2
planning meetings for Agriculture Day 2020; attended Nova
Scotia Tourism Summit and APEC Conference
2 new investment / navigation inquiries
Capacity Building 2nd Annual Raising Sales South Shore Business Summit held at
Oak Island Resort
Collaborating with Our Health Centre on an application: Culture
Innovation Fund’s Healthy Communities Stream; a provincial
grant to support physician recruitment here
o Application Submitted Dec. 3rd. Decision expected
by end of the month. I have joined the Recruitment
and Retention Advisory Group for OHC. Next
meeting is in April.
Commercial/Industrial Property
Inventory
Project planning with Lunenburg County Economic Development
staff working group.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY REPORT (July - September 2019)
Municipality of Chester- Quarterly Report
o Project with regional partners cancelled. Currently
exploring other options
Meetings & Professional
Development
APEC Conference
Nova Scotia Tourism Summit
1 HABA meeting
3 MLA hosted EconDev meetings
two Events Lunenburg County meetings
4 Regional Economic Development meetings
3 business meetings
Tourism Town Hall with Chester Merchant Group
3 - Merchants Meetings
Rope Loft & Salty Dog re: HEARTH & HOME tours
6 - Lobster Crawl Summit meetings and conference calls
2 - Tourism Meetings hosted by MLA
2- SSTC meetings
CTV Morning Live studio segment for Chester Village
Christmas
METRICS
Sponsorship Grants Approved 4
Business Engagement Meetings Not tracked
New Investment / Navigation Inquiries Not tracked