October 11, 2018; Liverpool, NS: A partnership between Region of Queens Municipal Council and the Astor Theatre Society was approved to jointly fund the cost of a technical assessment study for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for the Town Hall Arts and Cultural Centre. At the October 9, 2018 regular Council meeting, Council voted in favour of authorizing an expenditure of up to 15% of that cost, to a maximum of $5,000. The feasibility study is expected to cost approximately $20,000; currently, Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines is accepting applications for a funding program that may provide up to 75% of funding for feasibility studies on projects that have the potential to lower emissions and create local economic benefits. The Astor Theatre Society is a tenant of the municipally owned Astor Theatre, part of Town Hall Arts and Cultural Centre, located at 219 Main Street, Liverpool, NS.

“We are optimistic that the feasibility study will recommend innovative, energy efficient options to heat and cool this historic facility, which is an arts and cultural gem in our community,” said David Dagley, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality. “Council was pleased that the Astor Theatre Society saw an opportunity to access a funding program to enhance the entire facility for patrons during all four seasons.”

Town Hall Arts and Cultural Centre is a provincial heritage property and a national historic site constructed in 1902. The facility currently has no central air conditioning, and for decades, the lack of air conditioning and lack of controllable zoned heating has made its use frequently uncomfortable. An efficient HVAC system will make the entire facility more comfortable for visitors and tenants, and will reduce energy costs for the facility.

“The Astor Theatre Society is very gratified for the Region’s support for this Energy study. Our goal in our Capital Plan is to plot a cost efficient approach to modernizing our HVAC systems and patron comfort in this important and venerable building. We feel this will enhance and promote enjoyable and full year round use of the building as a key Arts and Cultural hub for the Community,” said Rick Gilbert, Vice Chair, Astor Theatre Society.

The funding program supports initiatives including public building efficiency, among other things that support energy efficiency and lowered emissions. Funding may be used for feasibility studies, community planning, public engagement sessions, program promotion, and demonstration projects. The application deadline is October 12, 2018.

IN THE MATTER of the Municipal Government Act.

TAKE NOTICE the Region of Queens Municipality, pursuant to Part VI of the Municipal Government Act of Nova Scotia, is offering for public tender the properties outlined here which are outstanding for taxes, interest, and expenses. Sealed bids are now being accepted at the Office of the Treasurer of the Region of Queens Municipality at 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, NS until Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 12:00 NOON local time, unless the arrears on rates and taxes, interest, and the expenses are paid before the sale (Council of the Region of Queens reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids).

A legal description of the above properties may be seen at the office of the Treasurer, Region of Queens Administration Building, 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, NS  B0T 1K0.  TERMS:  Payment by cash, bank draft or certified cheque to cover the amount of the sealed bid, plus HST if applicable, must be enclosed.

Jennifer Keating-Hubley, BAccS, CPA, CGA

Director of Finance, Region of Queens Municipality

Posted: Sept. 28, 2018

REQUEST FOR QUOTES

Production of Christmas Wreaths for Liverpool & Caledonia

The Region of Queens Municipality is soliciting quotations from qualified companies & individuals to produce Christmas Wreaths for the 2018 Christmas season.

The specification document is available for download  here or for pick up at the Municipal Office – 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, NS.

Proposals must be received by 2:00 p.m., on Friday, October 5, 2018 and all proposals are to be submitted in a sealed package marked “Christmas Wreaths Quote – Liverpool & Caledonia”.

All enquiries regarding this request for proposals are to be directed to:

Richard Lane – Economic Development Officer
Region of Queens Municipality
P.O. Box 1264
Liverpool, NS
BOT 1KO

Tel. 902-354-5741
Email: rlane@regionofqueens.com

Posted: Sept. 26, 2018

Liverpool, NS, August 29, 2018: Region of Queens Municipality officially launches the “Queens: Planning for the Future” project this week. Over the course of the next 18 months the Municipality will work with residents, business owners, seasonal home-owners, agencies and community groups to modernize the land use planning framework within the Region. Specifically, the project will result in an updated Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use (zoning) By-law. These documents guide how and where businesses, homes, farms, and new infrastructure can and should happen.

Councillor Heather Kelly, Chair of the Planning Advisory Committee, is excited to see the project get underway. “Queens: Planning for the Future is a chance to ask ourselves, ‘where do we want to be 10 or 20 years from now?’ and to define that picture of the future. We’ll be working with the public to establish a vision, and to identify what is needed to get us there. We want to shape our communities so they continue to be places where people want to live.”

Mike MacLeod, Director of Planning and Development, added, “This project will also help us get ahead of some challenges we will face in the future, such as climate change and an aging population. How can we balance the needs of our diverse rural and settlement areas? Do we have enough opportunities for seniors’ housing? Do we have the jobs and services to attract and retain young families? These are the kinds of questions we will be asking throughout the project.”

Starting now, the Region will be reaching out to ask, “What do you want your Queens to be?” and to engage in important conversations on specific issues, such as housing, agriculture, home-based businesses, coastal development, and more. The project is being carried out with
support from Upland Planning and Design Studio, who will be hosting events and presentations in communities throughout the region this fall.
Anyone interested in learning more about the project or participating in the process can review the project website, sign-up for the e-newsletter, send an email, or call the municipal office.

www.queensplan.com
hello@queensplan.com
902-354-3455

The Region of Queens Municipality is currently seeking proposals for auditing services.  Applicants must be Registered Municipal Auditors, as certified by the Province of Nova Scotia. 

To download a Request for Proposal package, please click here.

Deadline for proposals is September 21, 2018.

The Region of Queens Municipality reserves the right to reject any or all bids as authorized by law and to award the contract to other than the lowest bidder at its discretion.  The best interest of the Region of Queens Municipality is hereby served.

Any questions with regard to this RFP should be directed to:

Jennifer Keating-Hubley, BAccS, CPA, CGA

Director of Finance

Region of Queens Municipality

P.O. Box 2164

Liverpool, Nova Scotia

B0T 1K0

Tel:   (902) 354-3453

Fax:  (902) 354-7473

Email: jkeatinghubley@regionofqueens.com

August 22, 2018; Liverpool, NS:  As part of a nine person contingent from the Lunenburg/Queens Special Olympics chapter, five residents of  Queens traveled to Antigonish, Nova Scotia to join 900 Special Olympics athletes at the 2018 National Special Olympics Summer Games.

Jamie Belong, Rebecca Delaney, Rebecca Maule, Colby Oickle, and Ben Theriau competed in a variety of disciplines, and collectively brought home eight medals, including six gold, as part of Team Nova Scotia’s overall medal count of 134. To honour their achievements, the Region of Queens Municipality is hosting a reception on Wednesday, August 29th in the lobby at Queens Place Emera Centre.

The event will take place from 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm, and the public is welcome to attend and meet these athletes, and commend them on their outstanding performance and dedication.  “The Region of Queens is immensely proud of their accomplishments and the manner in which these athletes represented Queens and Nova Scotia during the 2018 Summer Games. We are pleased to host this reception and hope the public will come to meet and congratulate them” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. The Mayor also noted the commitment of the volunteers with the Special Olympics program and family support as being integral to their success. 

There will be some light refreshments provided by the Region of Queens, and The Snug café will be open for those wishing to purchase lunch.  

For more information please call the Recreation and Healthy Communities Department at 902-354-5741.

August 14, 2018; Liverpool, NS:  The audited financial statement and trust fund financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018  were adopted by Region of Queens Municipality’s Council at their August 14, 2018 Regular Council meeting.  An overview of the audited financial statements from the 2017/2018 fiscal year was presented by Paul Belliveau and Michael Metcalfe, of the firm Belliveau Veinotte Inc., independent external auditors appointed by the Municipality.  He previously reviewed the audited financial statements at the Region of Queens Municipality’s Audit Committee meeting on August 7, 2018.

“Prudent financial planning, strategic investments in our community, and careful budgeting remain a priority of this Council, and we are pleased that the Region of Queens continues to remain in a strong financial position,” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality.

General operations ended the fiscal year, March 31, 2018 with an operating surplus of $138,233.  Higher than anticipated deed transfer tax revenue accounted for a large percentage of the surplus.  While the water utility operating statement was mainly static this year, the maintenance and repairs budget was overspent due to a water line break at the water treatment plant in February, 2018. 

The 2017/2018 Audited Financial Statement will be posted on the Region of Queens website at http://www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/finance/financial-statement/audited-statement by the end of the week.