Stellarton updates protocol for short-term emergencies

In the event of a short-term local emergency, The Town of Stellarton is prepared to help those in need.

After working out the details with the Stellarton Fire Department, council has approved the implementation of updates to the local plan for a short-term emergency response.

The protocol is for emergency situations that range from three to 72 hours. Stellarton Fire Department in conjunction with the town and the Pictou County Emergency Measures Office (EMO) have developed a contingency plan where the fire hall is designated as the emergency shelter.

Situations would include flooding, power outages and other natural disasters.

The fire hall is equipped to handle such needs, noted Mayor Danny MacGillivray, since it has a backup generator, wheelchair accessibility, heat, water and a kitchen. The fire hall, as a shelter, is also equipped for overnight stays with blankets and air mattresses.

“Residents can contact the Stellarton Police, or fire dispatch. Dispatch will contact the fire chief or a deputy to activate the plan,” said MacGillivray. “If needed, arrangements may be made for citizen pickup.”

A short-term emergency plan has been an ongoing topic of discussion and planning since February, when Coun. Simon Lawand brought up an issue raised with temporary shelters in emergency situations.

After a power outage that took place in late January, Lawand noted that one resident was distressed about a lack of power, and the potential danger that posed to his family. After that issue was raised, the town went into planning with various authorities, to create a space for relief and shelter during emergencies.

Regional Economic Network

Council approved Stellarton’s participation in the Pictou County Regional Enterprise Network (REN) at their April 16 meeting. The Town of New Glasgow also recently approved its participation in the REN at its April 16 meeting.

Regional Enterprise Networks are inter-municipal agreements that provide structure and leadership on an economic level, aiming to grow regional economic strategies, while also supporting local businesses.

The municipalities joining the Pictou County REN have been working to create their own intermunicipal agreement ever since an attempt to integrate into a larger REN with East Hants, Truro, Cumberland and Amherst failed 2015. The failure resulted from several constraints, including too large a geographical area, as well as financial and administration issues.

Speed limits

This year, one of the priorities the Town of Stellarton will be bringing to a workshop for the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities (UNSM) pertains to traffic safety.

“One of my pet peeves is the speed limit in town. I feel that some areas, and some streets are too fast,” said Coun. Bryan Knight, whose idea it was to bring the matter to the UNSM as a local priority. “I’m concerned about our children and playgrounds, and some streets that are narrow.”

Knight said he gets complaints about local driving “constantly,” and thinks that instead of watching cases of speeding “thrown out of court… as a waste of time,” that it would be better to nip the problem in the bud by setting a new speed limit in town. Knight said some side streets are particularly dangerous because of the speed limits.

Knight’s solution is to put authority in the hands of the town to lower limits.

“I approached the UNSM and asked them to give us the ability to lower our own speed limits. It’s done through the provincial government,” said Knight. “They’re still pursuing it, and it’s on the table.”

Lawand noted that he would like to see economic development and the integration of cannabis laws on a municipal level as two other priorities to bring to the UNSM.

The UNSM spring workshop will take place May 10-12.