Pictou approves off-highway vehicle bylaw
A new off-highway vehicle bylaw has been approved by the Town of Pictou.
Town council made it official this week, allowing staff to approve an event permit within a shorter period of time, if all requirements are met, rather than waiting for the request to go through the several steps currently needed.
“An application for an event permit shall be filed with the CAO or his designate not later than six weeks prior to the proposed date of the event with said application being accompanied by a fee as prescribed within the town fees policy as amended from time to time,” reads the current bylaw.
The first offence for disobeying the off-highway bylaw ranges from $100 to $10,000 or imprisonment for a period of not more than six months or both. For second and third offences the baseline for the fine increases to $300 and $500.
Council agreed in late 2017 that the six weeks’ timeline could interfere with some organizations wanting to plan an event so it asked for its staff to come up with an alternative solution that would lessen that wait time.
Wellness Centre Management and volunteer positions with the Pictou County Wellness Centre have been filled, says Pictou Mayor Jim Ryan.
Ryan said three management positions were filled this month as well as three volunteer board positions. The Wellness Centre board is now look at establishing a strategic plan to help guide its future.
He said there is also ongoing talks about cost-sharing between the Wellness Centre and Pictou County YMCA.
Commercial lots
Geo tech work will take place on land near the roundabout in Pictou.
Ryan said during council that crews might be seen in the area, but the work is part of the town’s evaluation process for sale of the land.
The town has asked for RFPs for the parcels of land, zoned highway commercial, and is reviewing these proposals.
Pictou Academy
The public will get its say on the fate the former Pictou Academy.
Ryan said a public consultation meeting will take place March 22 with location yet to be determined.
He said heating and insuring the former high school is costing the town a “significant amount of money” since it was turned over by the Chignecto-Central School Board this past winter.
“Hopefully someone will have an innovative idea on what might happen to this building,” said the mayor.
Veterans Drive petition
A petition was accepted by Pictou town council with people asking for Veterans Drive to return to a two-way street.
Coun. Eric Daley presented the petition on behalf of citizens asking that the barricades be removed so traffic can once again flow in either direction.
A section of Veterans Drive became one-way this past December prompting people to voice opinions on social media and present petitions to council.
There was no discussion on the issue after council accepted the petition.
Live-streaming meetings Pictou town council wants its staff to look into live-streaming its public meetings on its website.
Mayor Ryan said council would like to know the details on having the meeting either live-streamed or taped for viewing.