March 27, 2018; Liverpool, NS: In a unanimous vote, Council of Region of Queens Municipality approved a motion to give notice to South Shore Regional Enterprise Network (REN) of its intention to withdraw from the South Shore REN effective March 31, 2019. Region of Queens Municipality, along with five municipal units in Lunenburg County and three municipal units in Shelburne County, entered into a Regional Enterprise Intermunicipal Agreement on August 20, 2014.

The REN was, a proposed model developed resulting from a recommendation of the One Nova Scotia Report, cost shared at a 50% Level by the Province of Nova Scotia with a goal to strengthen regional economic development objectives, following the dissolution in 2014 of Regional Development Agencies and similar entities, which had a similar objective as the REN model. Following two and a half years of involvement, there have been limited achievements.

Upon consultation with all the municipal partners in the South Shore REN Intermunicipal agreement, there are some who would like to withdraw from the REN to explore other opportunities for economic development partnerships. The Intermunicipal Agreement outlines that those interested in withdrawing from the agreement must give 12 months notice, or, as an option, the agreement may be dissolved by the unanimous agreement of all nine municipalities. A number of other municipalities are expected to vote to withdraw from the South Shore REN this week. Discussions with interested parties and Region of Queens Municipality will be pursued regarding a more suitable economic development model, which will further economic development investments in the future.

Without unanimous approval to dissolve the South Shore REN, the financial obligation for Region of Queens Municipality would be its portion of the REN agreement through to fiscal year end 2019, the sum of $31,193. In the event that all municipalities agree to dissolve the REN, it would take place immediately, and the balance of funds remaining after obligations are paid, ie; staff severances, lease costs, and other South Shore REN expenses outstanding, would be returned to each municipality. The amount is unknown at this time.

March 27, 2018; Liverpool, NS: Over 1,100 homes and businesses in Liverpool and Brooklyn were without running water on Monday, March 26, 2018, due to a mechanical issue at the Region of Queens Municipality’s water treatment facility in Liverpool. An unexpected break in a pipe at the water treatment facility flooded the pumps that convey the treated water to users. The mechanical issue caused a shutdown of the facility, turning off the water for all customers on the municipal water system.

“We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding while our staff worked diligently to make the required repairs as quickly as possible, ensuring that the provision of water was restored as soon as possible,” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. “While a breakage in a pipe and plant shutdown is not something we can predict, staff were prepared, and were able to restore water within 7 hours. We are grateful to have skilled staff who can manage urgent situations quickly and professionally.”

The pipe failure that occurred on site at the Municipal water treatment facility was in a location that was challenging to isolate. The break was repaired, pumps assessed from flooding damage, the plant brought back online pumps started, and water sent for treatment at approximately 3:30 p.m., with most users in Liverpool and Brooklyn having water in their taps within an hour of the system starting up.

As of the morning of March 27, water clarity had returned to most customers, following the Region of Queens flushing through the night to improve water clarity.

There is a Tax Sale scheduled to be held in the Council Chambers of the Region of Queens Municipality at 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, NS on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 10:00 AM.  Please click herefor further datails.

March 13, 2018; Liverpool, NS: Region of Queens Municipality’s existing water and sewer project in Brooklyn, Queens County is expected to continue this year, potentially with assistance through the Provincial Capital Assistance Program (PCAP) from Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA). At the March 13, 2018 Regular Council meeting, a motion was approved authorizing staff to submit an application for PCAP funding in the amount of $200,000 toward the planned $800,000 expansion of the Brooklyn water and sewer system.

“The extension of the Brooklyn water and sewer project is part of the Region of Queens’ five year capital plan, and will carry the services and connections from where it currently ends at Markland Avenue, along Brooklyn Shore Road, to the end of Brooklyn Waterfront Park, and will add a sewer pumping station,” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. “Connecting this area to water and sewer will provide many with a reliable source of potable drinking water, and reduce pollution from outfall into the Brooklyn bay.”

PCAP funding from DMA has an objective of financially supporting high priority municipal infrastructure projects, reducing the cost burden to municipalities. Funding is targeted to support projects that eliminate serious environmental and health problems, with priority given to pollution abatement. A component of the PCAP application is a motion of Council support. The application will be submitted by the April 26, 2018 deadline. The balance of the $800,000 project not funded by PCAP is expected to be supported by Federal gas tax funding.

The 2018 expansion of the system in Brooklyn is a continuation of the current project which began approximately 15 years ago, and served to expand municipal water and sewer infrastructure to residents living outside of Liverpool. Over this time, many homes have been connected to the infrastructure, in a community that previously had on-site systems.

March 13, 2018; Liverpool, NS: Region of Queens Municipal Council is seeking solutions to the localized flooding in downtown Liverpool. At the March 13, 2018 Regular Council meeting, a motion was passed authorizing Municipal staff to submit an application to the Flood Risk Infrastructure Investment Program (FRIIP) offered through Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA). This program provides funding support of up to 50% for a required study which will include recommendations to mitigate flood risk along the Liverpool waterfront. Council also requested staff to seek funding sources for the remaining portion of study costs which are not funded through FRIIP.

“Global increases in water levels related to climate change have directly impacted the waterfront area in Liverpool, causing local flooding problems,” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. “Flooding in Liverpool is now occurring with increasing frequency at higher elevations, adversely affecting several local businesses and the parking lot.”

Flooding along the Liverpool waterfront causes temporary closure of roadways in the affected areas of Henry Hensey Drive, Water Street and, on occasion, parts of Legion Street, restricts access to and from area businesses, and usage of the park and waterfront area.

There are several steps to be undertaken before preventative actions can be taken to directly address the issue of flooding along Liverpool’s waterfront. A predesign study on migrating measures to reduce flooding is the first step, and will be required by the funding partners before these partners could be involved to share the heavy cost of a construction. Following the Predesign phase, next steps to be undertaken are design and construction, each requiring funding partners.

A motion of Council requesting staff to apply is an application requirement under the funding program. The application will be submitted prior to the April 26, 2018 deadline. If the FRIIP application is successful, Council will then have the opportunity to review a staff recommendation on the best proposal to move forward with the independent review and potential options to mitigate future flooding.

March 13, 2018:  The Region of Queens Municipality’s Septage Facility, located on Hank Snow Drive, Liverpool, NS, has re-opened to users.

February 13, 2018; Liverpool, NS:  Like ripples from a droplet of water on a pond, the effects of volunteers and their projects make an impact that grows and spreads across the community.  The contributions of volunteers were recognized at the February 13, 2018 Regular Council meeting of the Region of Queens Municipality, as Council selected two volunteers as Volunteers of the Year.  Kerry Gallant of Liverpool, and Carolyn Conrad of Caledonia were drawn from a pool of 18 nominations recognizing the hard work and dedication of 22 individuals nominated over the past year through the Ripple Effect Volunteer Initiative; several of the nominations received were for couples who do much of their volunteer work together.

“Life in Queens is richer due to the contributions of our diverse and dedicated volunteers.  We are very fortunate to have residents who are filled with community pride and are passionate about providing programs, service, events and much more for the betterment of our area,” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. 

Nominations are submitted throughout the year by members of the community for volunteers to be recognized through the Ripple Effect Volunteer Initiative, a program launched in the fall of 2015 to showcase the efforts of volunteers in Queens County.   Biographies and photographs of nominees are posted on the Region of Queens website, Facebook and Twitter pages, enabling the community to learn about the volunteer work of their friends and neighbors. 

From those nominees, Council chooses two Volunteers of the Year for the Region of Queens, and they receive an award at the Provincial Volunteer Awards Ceremony held the week prior to Volunteer Week in April.  The Province of Nova Scotia’s Provincial Volunteer Awards Ceremony honours approximately 70 volunteers from across Nova Scotia each year for their commitment and dedication to community life.  The Provincial Volunteer Award is a once in a lifetime award.  The ceremony is being held on April 9, 2018, in Halifax. National Volunteer Week takes places April 15 – 22, 2018.

From February 2017 through to January 31, 2018, 18 nominations were received for the Ripple Effect, representing 22 individuals.  Those nominated were Tori Benedict of White Point, David and Melinda Brown of Labelle, Annette Burke and Al Steele of Liverpool, Carolyn Conrad of Caledonia, Sandy Cross of East Berlin, Betty Ann Daury of Milton, Brian Fralic of Liverpool, Kerry Gallant of Liverpool, Chris Greatrex and Henry Liot of Liverpool, John Long of Brooklyn, Susan Mansfield of Mersey Point, Natalie McMaster of Milton, Melissa Robinson of Western Head, Troy Smith of Brooklyn, Keith and Diane Rogers of LaBelle, George (Georgie) Uhlman of Caledonia, Larry Weagle of Milton, and Gloria Whynot of Milton.

“It is always a challenge to choose from the nominees and to select just two as Volunteers of the Year; how can anyone determine the value of one act of volunteerism over another?  They are all significant, important and deserving of the award.  In the interest of being fair, we draw two names randomly,” said Dagley.  “Council values the contributions of all of the passionate and enthusiastic volunteers in Queens.  Take a moment, and make a Ripple Effect nomination for a volunteer who makes a difference in your life, and to say thanks to those who put their heart into making Queens a great place to live.”

Photos and biographies of Ripple Effect nominees, along with a downloadable nomination form are posted on the Region of Queens Municipality’s website http://www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/recreation/volunteering/overview .  Due to the high volume of nominations received on or near the deadline for nominations, nominations for the 2018 award are being added as biographical information is finalized. 

February 12, 2018; Liverpool, NS:  Queens County is set to welcome hockey fans from across the province March 22-25th at Queens Place Emera Centre.   The O’Regan’s  Subaru Western Hurricanes Hockey Club have been awarded the 2018 Nova Scotia Major Bantam Provincial Championships.  All games will be played on home ice at Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool, NS.

Kevin Benjamin, President of the O’Regan’s Subaru Western Hurricanes stated, “The 2017-18 Major Bantam season has been very competitive; Provincial weekend will be no different and the Hurricanes are very excited to have this opportunity to host such a tremendous event.”

The Nova Scotia Major Bantam Provincial Championships is a four-day tournament with the top seven teams of elite hockey players ages 13 and 14 all competing for the provincial championship title.  Teams will be determined following a play-off series beginning early March. 

“On behalf of the executive of the Nova Scotia Major Bantam Hockey league, I would like to extend a huge thank you to the O’Regan’s Subaru Western Hurricanes for hosting this year’s Provincial championship!  This will be the second time they have hosted our Provincial championship and we all look forward to a great event.  This Provincial championship will showcase some of the most competitive hockey to be played in Nova Scotia!” said Todd Watson, NSMBHL President.

Games begin Thursday, March 22^nd at noon, with the Championship game being held Sunday, March 25^th at 1:00pm.  Play will be continuous during daytime and evening hours throughout the weekend.  There will be a total of 18 games, all of which promise to be very competitive among all participating teams. Tournament passes will be available at the door for $20, day passes for $10, and individual game passes for $5.

“Hockey fans in Queens County and from across the province will be an enthusiastic fan base watching the Provincial Championships at Queens Place Emera Centre.  Congratulations to the O’Regan’s Western Hurricanes on being selected to host this very significant event,” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality.  “We’re in for an exciting 4 days of fast paced hockey, and are pleased to welcome the players, families and fans to Queens!”