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Council Highlights May 20, 2025

Please be advised, this document represents only highlights taken from the Municipal Council meeting. If you wish to see the Council meeting in its entirety, please visit Annapolis County Municipal Channel. For further details on the featured highlights, please click here to view agenda package.


Memorandum of Understanding (The Salvation Army)
– Municipal Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding with The Salvation Army Disaster Services, Atlantic Division, and the Annapolis Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO).

Appointment of Development Officer – Municipal Council appointed Ali Comeau as the Development Officer for the Municipality of the County of Annapolis to administer the Municipality’s Land Use Bylaw and Subdivision Bylaw.

Appointments to Committees:

Glysophate Ad Hoc Committee – Municipal Council approved the appointment of Cabot Lyford (representing a non-profit environmental group), Charlie Turcotte (representing an agricultural group), Councillor Lynn Longmire, and Councillor Jon Welch to the Glysophate Ad Hoc Committee, effective June 1, 2025, for a one-year term ending on March 31, 2026.

Marketing Levy Ad Hoc Committee - Municipal Council approved the appointment of Councillor Charles Cranton, Councillor Nile Harding, and Councillor Ted Agombar to the Marketing Levy Ad Hoc Committee, effective June 1, 2025, for a one-year term ending on March 31, 2026.

Source Water Protection Committee – Municipal Council approved the appointment of Anna Esther Clark to the Source Water Protection Committee, effective immediately, for a two-year term ending October 31, 2026.

Capital Funding (Emergency Generators) – Municipal Council authorized additional funding from the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) reserve fund, in the amount of $148,281 to cover the costs of the 2024-25 Emergency Generators project.

Municipally Registered Heritage Property – Municipal Council will consider a portion of All Saints Anglican Church in West Dalhousie for registration as a municipal heritage property, and deposit of Notice of Recommendation in the Registry of Deeds. A Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 11:00am, at the Municipal Office (Council Chambers).

  

Community Grants:

Annapolis County 4H Leaders Council – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $8,855 to do a roof replacement, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

 Annapolis County Trails Society - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $10,000 to help support trail improvements in Lawrencetown, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Bridgetown Curling Club - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $5,000 to help support critical repairs, including resurfacing the driveway and maintaining essential ice-making equipment, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Cottage Cove and District Wharf Society - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $10,000 to assist in repairs of the community wharf, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grant.

Inglisville Community Hall - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $6,026.80 to help install a new heat pump, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Lawrencetown Youth Arena - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $12,400 to help replace west-end sheathing and insulate the canteen, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Margaretsville Shore Society - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $17,800 to improve Margaretsville Shore Park through shoreline protection work, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Middleton Railway Museum - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $3,000 to provide G-scale outdoor railway as an additional attraction suitable for running their 1:24 scale trains, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Oakdene Centre – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $4,525 to the Oakdene Centre to replace their fire alarm, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Paradise Community Hall – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $20,000 to support a roof replacement due to structural damage, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Port Wade Hall – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $4,665 to replace three windows, a new oil tank, and fix the wheelchair ramp, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Round Hill & District Recreation Commission – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $10,000 to upgrade Bishop Park, playground structure, and accessible bathroom, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Ste. Anne’s Anglican Youth Camp – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $5,000 to support the cost of adequate refrigeration, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Three Rivers Community Centre – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $8,873.85, to help install a new heat pump, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Clean Annapolis River Project (CARP) – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $4,000 to support the Annapolis River Festival, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Mapannapolis (Age Advantage Association) – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $5,000 to support a new project to update Acadian settlement maps and Garrison Graveyard, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Thalia Barn Cat Rescue – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $4,400 to support their new spay and neuter program, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

 

Municipal Policies:

The following policy was approved.

 Policy 134 (Unsightly and Dangerous Premises)


Repeal of Bylaw
:

  • Repeal of Mobile Home Park Bylaw (P1) – final reading

 Public Hearing:

 Municipal Heritage registration (Ditmars House, Clementsport) - Municipal Council approved to include the Ditmars House property, Clementsport, in the Municipal Registry of Heritage Properties and deposit a Notice of Registration in the Registry of Deeds.

Potential Canada Post Strike - Let's Plan Ahead

Please be advised, all property tax bills have been mailed as of May 26, 2025 to residents. We are experiencing an extremely high volume of calls and we ask that residents have patience with staff as they make their way through them all.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

In the event of a potential Canada Post strike, please be reminded, payment of property taxes annually is required by June 30, 2025, and it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure payment is received by the deadline.

Here are some options for residents, if a strike is announced:
  • Request a tax statement at the County office 
  • Call for property tax balances and/or request a tax statement via email
  • Payment of the amount of the prior year taxes

Payment methods include:
  • Cash or debit at the County office (Monday to Friday) or Middleton Satellite office (Wednesday/Thursday)
  • Cheque
Please keep in mind there are approximately 22,000 accounts and staff will do their best to address all inquiries in a fair and equitable manner. This situation is not ideal for either party and we hope it will be avoided.

Reminder: Payments are accepted at both Municipal Offices:

Annapolis Royal:                             Middleton Office:

752 St. George St.                             291 Marshall St. - Unit 4
Annapolis Royal, NS                         Middleton, NS
Mon-Fri, 8:30am - 4:30pm                Wed. - Thurs. 8:30am  - 4:30pm





County of Annapolis Chief Administrative Officer Chris McNeill Resigns

The Municipality of the County of Annapolis announces the resignation of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Chris McNeill, effective the end of June.

His extensive knowledge of municipal government and commitment to public service have made a lasting impact on Annapolis County.

"The role of CAO is complex and demanding, requiring a wide array of skills and strong leadership," said Warden Diane LeBlanc. "Chris brought an immense amount of experience to the position and has been a thoughtful, responsible leader who worked well with Council and staff. He demonstrated a solid understanding of local government and placed great value on partnerships with citizens, local businesses, and other levels of government. He will be missed."

Council remains committed to ensuring the continuity and quality of services that residents expect and deserve. "We are fortunate to have an efficient and skilled workforce," Warden LeBlanc added. "Council will continue to support the efforts of staff as they carry out the Municipality’s daily operations to the highest standard."

Council will initiate the process of recruiting a new CAO in the near future.

The Municipality thanks Mr. McNeill for his service and dedication and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.


                                                                                                 -30 -

Municipal Boundary Review - Community Meetings: Dates/Locations

Municipality of the County of Annapolis will hold public meetings to provide an opportunity for local residents to share their thoughts on the number of councillors and governance that Annapolis County should have in the next election in 2028. All meetings will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Click on link below for dates and locations, as well as more information.

MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY REVIEW: COMMUNITY MEETINGS FOR PUBLIC INPUT

Council Highlights - April 15, 2025

Presentations to Council:

  • Annapolis County Housing Association
  • Annapolis River Festival

Road Naming Process for Shared Access Road – Municipal Council approved the road name “Voyager Lane” for the shared access road in Granville Ferry.

Granville Street (Bridgetown) Roadway Upgrades – Municipal Council authorized staff to proceed with the detailed design for the Granville Street capital project.

Community Grants:

Bridgetown & Area Historical Society (James House Museum) – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $20,000 to the Bridgetown & Area Historical Society for an electrical upgrade for the James House Museum to be used safely, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Port Royal Legion, Branch 21 - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $5,000 to the Port Royal Legion, Branch 21, to help support the purchase and installation of heat pumps, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Annapolis Valley Exhibition Society - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $20,000 to the Annapolis Valley Exhibition Society to help support electrical upgrades and repairs, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Paradise Historical Society - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $9,800 to the Paradise Historical Society to help create an accessible washroom, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grant.

Maitland Bridge Community Hall - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $18,644.68 to the Maitland Bridge Community Hall to help install a new electrical panel and heat pumps, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

South Shore Annapolis Valley Recreational Trail Association - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $10,000 to the South Shore Annapolis Valley Recreational Trail Association to help support trail and upgrades to improve trail users’ safety, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

West Dalhousie Community Hall Association - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $15,257.62 to the West Dalhousie Community Hall Association to help improve the heating system, emergency exit, and roof, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Bear River Board of Trade - Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $10,000 to the Bear River Board of Trade to improve the Bear River Waterfront Park, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Valley Regional Hospital Foundation – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $5,000 to the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation to help reduce financial barriers and burdens for financially compromised patients receiving treatment, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Cats for Keeps – Municipal Council approved a grant in the amount of $5,000 to Cats for Keeps to help with veterinary care and medication, in accordance with Policy 101 Community Grants.

Leave of Absence Request – Municipal Council authorized a paid leave of absence for up to three months for Councillor Karie-Ann Parsons-Saltzman for personal reasons.

Municipal Policies:

The following policies were approved.

  • Policy 102 (Personnel)
  • Policy 109 (Tax Exemption and Reduction)

Repeal of Bylaw:

  •  Repeal of Mobile Home Park Bylaw (P1) – first reading

Bylaws:

The following bylaw was given final reading:

  • Bylaw 6 (Commercial Activity on Municipal Property) – first reading (Mar 18, 2025)

 

Public Hearing:

Development Agreement Application - Municipal Council approved second and final reading of the Development Agreement application submitted by Mr. Jason Miller to erect a single-family dwelling on Ben Phinney Rd., Margaretsville.

 

 

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