2023-24 Capital Budget – Municipal Council authorized the remaining total capital budget, less $150,000 for software initiative, as presented for a total project cost of $3,298,900 for the County, and $350,000 for the County Water Utility.

Capital Request (Village of Lawrencetown) - Municipal Council approved the release of funds from the Canadian Community-Building Funds to the Village of Lawrencetown; $51,000 from the 2022-23 budget, and $30,200 from the 2023-24 budget.

Letter of Support (Soldier’s Memorial Hospital Emergency Room) – Municipal Council agreed to support the vital community services provided by the emergency room of the Soldier’s Memorial Hospital by authorizing the warden to sign a multi-municipality joint letter that will request help and information from the province.

Letter of Support (Basic Income Guarantee) – Municipal Council agreed to send a letter to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and the Premier of Nova Scotia supporting a Basic Income Guarantee.

Letter of Awareness (Melvern Square Community Hall) - Municipal Council agreed to provide a letter of awareness to the Melvern Square Community Centre to accompany their 2023-24 Recreation Facility Development Grant application, noting that no funding has been requested from the municipality for their roof replacement project.

Joint Letter (Causeway) - Municipal Council directed the warden to sign the letter to the Hon. Kim Masland requesting assistance in the maintenance and management of the Granville Ferry Causeway in tandem with a signature from the mayor of the Town of Annapolis Royal.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Delegate Selection – Municipal Council appointed Councillors Gunn and LeBlanc, and Deputy Warden Redden as delegates to attend the 2023 FCM Annual Conference in Toronto, ON; with Councillors Longmire and Barteaux being alternates.

Animal Control (Town of Annapolis Royal and Town of Middleton) - Municipal Council authorized the Warden and Municipal Clerk to sign the renewal of the Animal Control Agreement with the Town of Annapolis Royal and the Town of Middleton for a 2-year term with a 2% cost of living increase each year on the administration fee.

Emergency Funds for Fire Departments – Municipal Council approved an increase of 5% for each fire department’s operating funding for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Annapolis County Comfort Centre (Hurricane Dorian Funding) – Municipal Council approved the issuing of the reimbursement of costs associated with facilities that activated as comfort centres during Hurricane Dorian in September 2019 ($4,230.43) from the current REMO 2022-23 budget.

Medical Recruitment Financial Assistance Program Policy – Municipal Council, in accordance with the Medical Recruitment Financial Assistance Program Policy, approved payment of $20,000 to the Soldiers Memorial Hospital Foundation for the purpose of providing a grant to Dr. Ama Asiedu ($10,000) and Dr. Omorede Osayande ($10,000).

Speed Collection Data – Municipal Council directed staff to provide speed collection data to the RCMP Annapolis Detachment for their use and follow-up action.

Municipal Priorities for RCMP – Municipal Council will provide the following to the RCMP Annapolis Detachment as the Municipality’s priorities for inclusion in their Annual Performance Plan for the 2023-24 fiscal year: 1) Data Led Traffic Enforcement; 2) Property Crimes; and 3) Comprehensive Education.

Appointment of Development Officer - Municipal Council appointed Connor MacQuarrie as a Development Officer for the Municipality of the County of Annapolis to administer the Municipality’s Land Use Bylaws and Subdivision Bylaw.

Community Grants – Municipal Council approved the following community grants:

• Annapolis Valley Frugal Moms Society - $2000
• Port George Regional Recreation Centre - $2,400
• Granville Ferry Community Association - $2,400
• Survivors of Abuse Recovering Society - $2,400

Annual Reports - Municipal Council accepted the following annual reports:

• Juniper House
• Annapolis Valley Historical Society – Macdonald Museum
• Special Olympics, Annapolis
• Bear River Economic Development Society

Public Meeting (Park Trust (7 Park Street, Bridgetown) - The purpose of the public meeting was to permit members of the public to make their views known to Council, via oral or written submissions, concerning the termination of a land trust dated December 13, 1887, that declared that the present 7 Park Street, Bridgetown, lands were to be used for the “purposes of a public park for the citizens of Bridgetown for their use forever." Three written submissions (read aloud) and one oral were received from the public.

After discussion and consideration, Municipal Council agreed to instruct the municipal solicitor to make application to the Court to terminate the trust.

Municipal Council observed a moment of silence in recognition of the 22 people who lost their lives during the mass shooting in Portapique, NS.

Land Sale (Mountain & Meadows Care Group) – Municipal Council approved Mountain & Meadows Care Group’s offer to purchase municipally-owned land on Church St., Bridgetown in the amount of $85,000. 

Granville Parking Redevelopment – Municipal Council agreed to hold a public meeting in the community of Bridgetown to discuss use of funds from the sale of the former town hall. The date and time to be determined. 

Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) Submission Boundary Review – Municipal Council authorized the Warden and Municipal Clerk to submit an application to the NSUARB to confirm the number and boundaries of polling districts at 11, and to confirm the number of councillors at 11.

Municipally-Registered Heritage Property (St. John’s Anglican Church Application for Alterations) – Municipal Council will refer the substantial alteration application for the replacement of the existing green asphalt shingles to black metal roofing material on the Municipally-registered property, St. John’s Anglican Church, to the Heritage Advisory Committee.

Sewer Rates (County) – Municipal Council authorized an increase to the County Sewer Rate of 2% resulting in a flat rate annual charge of $590.39 per equivalent unit.

Sewer Rates (Bridgetown) - Municipal Council authorized an increase to the Bridgetown Sewer Rate of 2% to both the base and variable rates resulting in a base rate of $13.08 per quarter and $2.12 per cubic meter.

Letter of Awareness (Lawrencetown Exhibition Youth Arena) – Municipal Council will provide a letter of awareness to the Lawrencetown Youth Arena to accompany their 2023-24 Recreation Facility Development Grant application, noting that no funding has been requested from the municipality for their Warm Room Extension and Insulation project.

Letter to Minister (Speeding in Granville Ferry) - Municipal Council will request that the Minister of Public Works review the speed limit of 80 km and the passing zone approaching the community of Granville Ferry from Victoria Beach with a view to eliminate the passing zone and/or reduce the speed on this approach, and to review the speed limit in the community of Granville Ferry.

Tax Exemption and Reduction Policy (AM 1.4.12) – Municipal Council agreed to accept late applications from the Atalanta Hospice Society and The Friends of Margaretsville Lighthouse, adding them to the Tax Exemption and Reduction Policy (AM 1.4.12) for 2023-24.

Tax Exemption and Reduction Policy Amend - Municipal Council agreed to amend the Tax Exemption and Reduction Policy (AM 1.4.12) by adding Carleton Road Industries, Port Royal Lighthouse Association, and Bridgetown Curling Club; removing Bridgetown Curling from the partial tax exemption.

Former Upper Clements Park Structure – Municipal Council authorized staff to proceed with the cleanup of the remains of the structure that was destroyed by fire on March 30, 2023, at the former Upper Clements Park with funding to come from operational reserves, and that the stones be preserved for future use.

Physician Recruitment & Retention - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $10,000 to Dr. Yasmin Sadri Savadjani in accordance with Policy 108 Medical Recruitment Financial Assistance Program.

Support Letter for Annapolis Valley Regional Library – Municipal Council approved to send a letter in partnership with other Valley municipalities to The Honourable Dave Ritcey, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage, requesting the finalization and implementation of a fair and equitable funding formula to support local libraries.

Drinking Water Protection Signage – Municipal Council approved the purchase and installation of drinking water protection signage for municipal water systems in Cornwallis Park, Margaretsville, Granville Ferry, Bridgetown, and Bear River.

Request for Municipal Heritage Registration (Amendment) – Municipal Council approved amendment to motion by changing the Public Hearing date from March 18, 2025, 11:00 am to May 20, 2025, 11:00am, and to deposit the required Recommendation in the Registry of Deeds.  

Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) Recommendation – Municipal Council approved first reading to approve an application submitted by Mr. David Hebb to rezone the property located at 33 Parker Mountain Rd. from Low Density Residential (R1) to General Mixed Use (MX) Zone which will also require an amendment to the Future Land Use Map designation from Residential (RES) to Mixed Use (MX). The map amendments will permit the reuse of the property as a repair shop. A Public Hearing will be held on March 18, 2025, 11:00 am, at the Municipal Administrative Building in Annapolis Royal.

Public Appointment to Annapolis County Source Water Protection Advisory Committee – Municipal Council approved the appointment of Michael Longmire to the Annapolis County Source Water Protection Advisory Committee, effective immediately for a two-year term ending October 31, 2026.

Bridgetown Community Recreation Association (BCRA) Funding Request – Equipment Repairs - Municipal Council authorized the withdrawal of $40,298.30 from the Max Young Fund to the Bridgetown Community Recreation Association for equipment repairs. The breakdown is as follows:

New brine pump & motor                       $ 15,000.00

Safety relief valves                                 $  5,880.45

Overhaul #2 Compressor                       $15,986.88

Left & right drive shafts and joints          $  3,430.97  

Capital Funding Requests:

• Municipal Council authorized funding of $32,062 from the capital reserve fund for the completion of the Bridgetown Parking Lot and EV Charging Station project.

• Municipal Council authorized funding of $52,117 from the capital reserve fund for the completion of the Sports Hub accessibility project.

• Municipal Council authorized funding of $141,000 equally from the County water and County sewer reserves for the East End water study.

• Municipal Council authorized funding of $27,706 from the Canada Community Building Fund for the Facilities Assessment project.

• Municipal Council authorized funding of $9,775 from the capital reserve fund for the accessible upgrades to Jubilee Park.

Municipal Policies:

The following policies were approved:

• Municipal Investments in Lawrencetown (Policy 133)
• Tax Exemption and Reduction (Policy 109)
• Road Naming (Policy 126)
• Council Renumeration (Policy 114)

Repeal of Policies:

 Declaration of Proclamations Policy (Policy AM-1.2.5)

Municipal Bylaws: The following bylaw (first reading) was approved.

 Bylaw 5 Civic Address

Repeal of Bylaws:

 Bridgetown Skateboarding Bylaw (2^nd Reading)

• Bridgetown Smoking Control Bylaw (2^nd Reading)

For further details on the featured highlights, please click here to view agenda package.

Joint Police Advisory Board – Municipal Council endorsed the concept of a joint police advisory board structure with the Town of Middleton, and that a proposed committee terms of reference be brought forward to council for a final review and potential adoption.

Inter-municipal Joint Inclusion Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Strategy – Municipal Council approved the October 2024 Inter-municipal Joint Inclusion Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Strategy.

Anti-Poverty and Inclusion Working Group – Municipal Council endorsed the concept paper for the development of an Anti-Poverty and Inclusion Working Group as part of the County of Annapolis’ 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

J-Class Roads Cost Sharing Agreement – Municipal Council agreed to notify Nova Scotia Public Works to advise the County does not wish to participate in the J-Class Road Re-paving of Subdivision Streets Program in 2025-26.

Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia – Upon consensus of Municipal Council, it was agreed a letter would be sent to outgoing Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia, the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, thanking him for his service to the people of Nova Scotia and to Canada; as well as a letter to Mr. Mike Savage, acknowledging being the newly appointed Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia, as announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on October 13, 2024.   

Bear River Water Project Easement - Municipal Council authorized the Warden and the Municipal Clerk to sign an easement agreement with the Bear River Agricultural Society on behalf of the Municipality for the Bear River Water Project.

Offer to Partner on Housing Developments - Municipal Council authorized entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with Rooted: Community Development Partner, to seek ways to advance affordable housing projects together in Annapolis County.

Community Grants:

RCL Branch 112 Lawrencetown - Municipal Council approved a grant to the RCL Branch 112 Lawrencetown in the amount of $14,237 to assist with emergency roof replacement for the hall. The funding was approved as an over expenditure in the Community Grant budget in 2024/25.

For further details on the featured highlights, please click here to view agenda packages.

I was first elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. As Councillors know, the feelings of relief, gratitude, and determination after having received the confidence of your citizens are ones that last. For a little boy from Cape Breton who had experienced previous careers involving participation in various atmospheres, election provided an opportunity to contribute to enhancing the lives of the citizens of District six and Annapolis County as a whole.

The experience has been enjoyable, exhilarating, satisfying, and filled with potential for future such progress.

Being selected as Warden of the County only intensified my determination to use all resources at my personal and professional reach to make positive advances. At this point, I must mention the Chief Administrative Officer and County staff; to a “t”, they are professional and anxious to be of maximum assistance.

With Council colleagues and staff members there has been a collegial atmosphere that has facilitated the creation of positivism a sine qua non to success.

As the only member of the entering council of 2012 to serve continuously since that time, I have been privileged to witness advancement from concept to implementation. I have also learned from less than positive results.

I thank all citizens of Annapolis County who have initiated, organized, participated in, and looked to the future with a high degree of expectation. I also wish to express my appreciation to all organizations: first responders, such as police and fire, and those who have ensured that our community halls live on. It is their accomplishments that will continue to ensure Annapolis County will remain a thriving place in which to live and experience enjoyment.

To my Council colleagues I thank you for your patience, for your support, and for your positive understanding of municipal matters.  I will always have fond memories. Oh, by the way, did I mention how patient you have been at our various meetings?

I leave with a sense of satisfaction that I have been able to contribute in a substantive manner.

I wish each of you and the members of the 2024-2028 Council the best of good wishes.