Fundy site to open year-round?
Colchester council discusses discovery site’s winter maintenance
TRURO - The Fundy Discovery Site is being visited more and more throughout the year; to the point, Colchester County Council is considering its winter upkeep.
Deputy Mayor Geoff Stewart brought attention to visitors "relieving themselves," near the washroom facilities of the discovery site (which are usually closed during the winter months) during the council committee meeting earlier this month.
Stewart put a motion on the floor for staff to investigate a way of opening the washrooms to the public during the winter. The committee responded positively to this idea, bringing it forward once more at this month's council session after staff had time to draft a plan.
"Traditionally, the grounds remain open but the facilities are closed from mid-november through to May 1,” said Community Development Director Paul Smith, sharing staff’s recommendation. “In light of changing circumstances and wishes, (we) would suggest that we keep the family washroom open, and that would be an accessible, single washroom facility.”
He added the male and female washrooms would remain closed due to decreased foot traffic during the winter months.
A quote from a cleaning company stated that it would cost $30 a day to clean the washroom facility. Smith stated this would cost $210 a week.
Snow removal would also be necessary inside the park. Though the county's Public Works covers some of the parking near the site now, Smith said the washrooms would need to remain clear, pathways would have to be shovelled and trash cans accessible.
“Estimates on doing that work is about $100 per snow event,” said Smith. “Some of this is like looking into a crystal ball to see what weather we have in store, but we’re kind of estimating, for the remainder of this month through to Mar. 31, that costs would be slightly over $3,000.
“There’s money in our budget to cover those costs for this year, and I think what we could do is budget an additional $7,000 annually to keep the washroom open and the snow cleared.”
Council passed a motion allowing the washroom to be open this winter and for winters going forward.
MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY REVIEW
Research, policy and communications officer Devin Telfry joined the meeting to speak on the ongoing municipal boundary review. The council had formerly asked for an extension from the Nova Scotia Utilities and Review Board (NSUARB) due in part to Fiona.
Telfry said staff had been requested to “do some additional public consultation and considering some changes to boundaries in districts six, eight, 11 and one.”
He reported the extension was granted, and the consultation process has been completed.
“Staff is in the process of completing the study that will be due to be submitted at the end of February,” said Telfry, adding this will meet the deadline imposed by the NSUARB. He requested council committee review the study during their February meeting for final approval prior to submission.
Municipal boundary reviews are conducted every eight years to help proportion the voters in each district. The proposed changes would see voters shift from districts six, eight and 11 (Karen Mackenzie, Lisa Patton and Wade Parker districts) to district one (Eric Boutillier).
WIND TURBINE BYLAW
A community consultation session is planned for Feb. 14 to address the planning advisory committee’s (PAC) recommended amendment to the county’s wind turbine bylaw.
Council had two recommendations they could choose to move forward with — the PAC’S recommendation, or what staff had proposed.
The PAC recommended that turbines under 100 metres have a setback distance of one kilometre, while those above 100 metres have a setback of two kilometres.
Staff recommended that setback requirements be increased to 1.5 kilometres for turbines under 200 metres, with a 7.5 metre increase in the setback for every metre in height over 200.
Council approved a first reading of the PAC’S recommendation, though they can still opt for the other recommendation at the Feb. 14 meeting.