LEAF AND YARD WASTE PICK-UP

October 30 to November 3, 2017
                      and
November 6 to November 10, 2017

This year’s LEAF AND YARD WASTE roadside pick-up will be held during the weeks of October 30 to November 3, 2017 and November 6 to November 10, 2017 on your regular collection day.

The materials acceptable for pick-up shall include leaves, grass trimmings, and yard waste placed in clear or orange plastic bags. (No plastics, cigarette packages, cups, etc.) Branches and limbs will be accepted if individual branches do not exceed 7 cm. (2.5 inches) in diameter. These should be tied in bundles no longer than 1.2 m. (4 feet) and 20 m. (8 inches) in diameter.

Scott LeBlanc
Solid Waste Management
902-354-3455

October 24; Liverpool, NS:  The Queens Community Aquatic Society (QCAS) intends to hire independent consultants to define the proposed community pool project and outline costs for the project. The Society requested funding support from the Council of the Region of Queens Municipality.  At the October 24, 2017 Regular Council meeting, Council approved a grant of $6,000 to be paid from the previous year’s operating surplus to assist the QCAS to proceed with their consulting report. 

The report, with an expected cost of $24,000, will also require provincial funding.  Having a detailed plan is a necessary step for the QCAS before they can proceed to the funding stage of the project.  Once a plan has been finalized through the consultant, a report will be brought back to Council the end of February which will include a detailed plan that includes a project definition, construction costs and operating costs.

The QCAS held a Public meeting in February 2017 with approximately 80 people in attendance, and also conducted an independent survey with 946 respondents, in which they advise that 83% of respondents believe it is important to have a year round pool.  A fundraising subcommittee of the QCAS has been formed who have investigated possible funding options, and determined that funds may soon become available through federal and provincial programs, as well as from the private/corporate sector and a public campaign. 

“Council is appreciative of the work that members of the Queens Community Aquatic Society are putting into researching the viability of a community indoor pool for Queens County. Their due diligence in reaching out to hire independent consultants to source the best information as to the capacity, use and needs of the community in a pool is very important,” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality.

October 24, 2017; Liverpool, NS:  A new policy approval by the Council of the Region of Queens Municipality provides guidelines and protocols for flag flying on municipally owned flag poles. At the October 24, 2017 Regular Council meeting, Council approved Operational Policy 84- Flag Flying , a new policy that outlines protocol for the appropriate manner for flying and displaying flags on municipally owned flag poles, protocol and location for flying flags of non- profit organizations’ flags, and protocol for flying flags at half mast.

“In developing and approving a policy on flag flying, Council has established reasonable parameters for flying flags requested by organizations as well as guidelines as to when it is appropriate to fly flags at half mast in the Region of Queens,” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality.

Council has approved a policy that includes an opportunity for non profit organizations to fly their flags, or to denote occasions of significance in the community, using the Region’s special purpose flag pole located next to the VIC and bridge on the Liverpool waterfront. Flags will be flown for a two week period. Among the flags that will be flown in two week increments are the Pan African Flag for African Heritage Month in February, National Volunteer Week flag in April, the Pride flag in June, the Mi’kmaq Nation flag for National Aboriginal Day in June and for Mi’kmaq History Month in October, and the Veterans Flag during Veterans Week in November. Non profit organizations may submit a completed application one month prior to the date they would like their flag flown.

The policy also outlines when flags will fly at half mast at the Region of Queens Administration Building and at Queens Place Emera Centre, which includes observing the death of specific heads of state; current or former Mayors, Wardens or Councillors of the Region of Queens Municipality, the former Town of Liverpool, and the former Municipality of Queens; along with other dates of national or international importance, following the provincial example. On the following dates, flags will also be flown at half mast: November 11 in respect for Remembrance Day, April 28 in respect of the Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace, and December 6 in respect of National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Operational Policy 84 is effective immediately, and the policy and application for usage of the Special Purpose Flag Pole may be viewed on the Region of Queens website (http://www.regionofqueens.com/council-governance/policies-overview/operational-policies , or contact the Region of Queens Municipality for a copy by calling 902-354-3453 or in person at the Administration Building, 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, NS.

FALL CLEAN-UP
October 16 to October 20, 2017
and
October 23 to October 27, 2017

This year’s FALL CLEAN-UP COLLECTION will be held during the weeks of October 16 to October 20, 2017 and October 23 to October 27, 2017, on your regular collection day.

Generally, items acceptable for pick-up are over-sized items and items not regularly collected on your regular collection day. These items shall not exceed 150 lbs. in weight or 6 feet in length. Items that will NOT be collected are Leaf and Yard Waste, Household Hazardous Waste, Building Demolition Waste, Tires, Propane Tanks and Electronics (Computers and TVs, etc.).

It is essential that your regular household garbage (black bags), blue bags, cardboard and compost be kept separate from the fall clean-up items.

Scott LeBlanc
Solid Waste Management
902-354-3455

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, certain lands situate in the Region of Queens Municipality and described in general terms below are now liable to be sold at Public Tender in the Council Chambers of the Region of Queens Municipality at 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, Nova Scotia on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 10:00 AM to recover outstanding taxes, sewer and unsightly charges plus interest as well as expenses of, and incidental to, the sale unless the same are paid in full on or before the said date and time of sale.  Please click on the link below for the list of properties.

Public Tender

Sept. 26, 2017;  Liverpool, NS:  At the Sept. 26^th Regular Council meeting, the Council of the Region of Queens Municipality today approved a staff recommendation to declare the property surplus and to have tenants vacate the former Mount Pleasant School by June of 2019. The recommendation also included giving direction to staff to work with the four tenants, the Queens County Food Bank, Queens Day Care, Queens Learning Network and the Queens Family Resource Centre, to consider relocating these important community services to other acceptable locations.

“Declaring the property surplus to Municipal Requirements is a technical term which allows options, and the building is in need of short term repairs.  A long term increase in the maintenance budget would have an impact on taxes, but the services provided at the old Mount Pleasant School are important services for the community,” said David Dagley, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. “Many residents in Queens depend upon the services provided by the Queens County Food Bank, the South Shore Family Resource Centre, the Queens Learning Network , the Queens County Daycare Association, and the volunteer initiative Plant To Plate. Council is supportive of these organizations.  Prior to a  move becoming necessary, we will work with the tenants to help them find suitable space in the community, and will give them adequate notice to help facilitate their move to ensure these valuable services continue to be provided in our community.”

In support of long term capital planning, a building condition assessment was completed on the facility.  The assessment revealed that current deferred maintenance is escalating to the point where the current level of maintenance will need to double over the next 25 years to keep it in suitable condition for tenants.  This reality may not be financially sustainable for the municipality, the tenants, or their clients.  Based on this imminent cost, it was recommended that the municipality work with each of the four tenants to look at alternative location options.  The four services provided are important to citizens of Queens and finding other financially sustainable locations is something that the Region may need to address over the next two years. 

The four tenants currently utilize the former Mount Pleasant School, 108 College St., Liverpool, NS.  This building was constructed in 1957, had been transferred to the Region of Queens Municipality many years ago, after it was declared surplus by the South Shore Regional School Board.

September 26, 2017; Liverpool, NS:  Much has changed in the past eight years, and the Council of the Region of Queens Municipality wants to see communities be able to reflect the changes.  At the September 12, 2017 Regular Council meeting, Council gave notice of its intention to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB) to change the zoning of the core area of Caledonia from its current General Residential (R2) zoning to Highway Commercial (C2) zoning. 

Prior to the implementation of the Regional Planning Documents in 2009, the area currently being considered for rezoning, known locally as “Caledonia Corner”, was the subject of much discussion regarding appropriate zoning.  Residential zoning was deemed most appropriate at that time, with new commercial uses to be considered through rezoning on a case by case basis.  Since then, there has been renewed interest in the business district, and there is a desire to simplify the development process to encourage new business and stimulate the local economy. 

A public hearing will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the North Queens Business Centre & Innovation Hub, 9793 Highway 8 in Caledonia, NS.  All are welcome to attend and provide their insights into the planned change.  Those unable to attend may provide written information to the Planning Department via email mmacleod@regionofqueens.com or mail to Planning Department, Region of Queens Municipality, P. O. Box 1264, Liverpool, NS  B0T 1K0.

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 2017 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 6, 2017 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

September 12, 2017; Liverpool, NS:  This afternoon, the Council of the Region of Queens Municipality appointed Jennifer Keating Hubley, Director of Finance who is a 13 year employee of the Region of Queens Municipality, as Interim Chief Administrative Officer (ICAO).   This will become effective upon the departure of the current CAO in early October.

Council also approved commencing advertisement of the position to seek a candidate for the permanent appointment of a Chief Administrative Officer.  The objective at the Region of Queens is to provide opportunity for career advancement to staff, while ensuring that the Region enjoys a robust, transparent, and competitive selection process for the next Chief Administrative Officer.  Council will take the time to properly complete this hiring process, and will strive to hire the best candidate for Queens.  In this regard, both internal and external candidates will be considered.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, certain lands situate in the Region of Queens Municipality and described in general terms below are now liable to be sold at Public Tender in the Council Chambers of the Region of Queens Municipality at 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, Nova Scotia on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 10:00 AM to recover outstanding taxes, sewer and unsightly charges plus interest as well as expenses of, and incidental to, the sale unless the same are paid in full on or before the said date and time of sale. Please click on the link below for the list of properties.

Public Tender

There will be a Special meeting of Region of Queens Council held on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in the Region’s Council Chambers, 249 White Point Road, Liverpool.  The purpose of this meeting is to deal with an in-camera item under Section 22(c) of the Municipal Government Act.  An agenda will be posted on this website.

I was saddened to learn of the tragic event on Saturday during the Hank Snow Tribute.  I offer my condolences to the families involved in this accident.

A special thank you is extended to our Queens Place Emera Centre staff, Hank Snow Museum staff and volunteers, the RCMP, and emergency and fire services first responders.   I know this has been difficult for all involved.  Thank you for your leadership and public service.

Mayor David Dagley, Region of Queens Municipality