Decked out
Council approved the request by the Privateer Days Commission to use the deck of the Visitor's Information Centre for the parade this year.
The commission wants to use the deck as a place for the judges to sit, as well as decorate the exterior in celebration. The plan is to also live stream the parade over the internet using the centre's wireless connection.
Wharf rat support
Council will send a letter of support on changing the Digby/St. John ferry schedule for the Wharf Rat Rally in Digby this year.
The Wharf Rat Rally Motorcycle Association is trying to get a temporary change to the hours the ferry sets sail from both locations, to better match the motorcyclist’s schedules. They are asking for support from municipal councils that may benefit from having the rally come to Nova Scotia.
Tax exemption increases
Council is increasing the household limit for exemptions on property taxes for the 2013/2014 fiscal year.
The total household income increased from $19,500 to $21,888, and the exemption increased from $200 to $250.
The Region of Queens budgets $70,000 for exemptions, which allows for 275 recipients.
The deadline for application is the end of February in 2014.
Area rate increase
Council approved an area rate increase of 1 cent in Brooklyn over the previous rate of 3.5 cents, at the request of the Brooklyn Recreation Committee.
The increase is to keep the actual dollar figure collected at the same level as previous years.
Last year the committee collected $30,200 from the area rate. This year at 4.5 cents it will be $27,900, due to the loss of taxes from the Bowater paper mill site. According to the recreation committee, their operating costs are $28,700 for the upcoming year.
The Brooklyn Cemetery Committee is requesting the same area rate as last year of 1 cent, which works out to $6,200.
Council decided no public meeting was needed before approving the increase, unless there was a demand for it from the community.
Going to Saltscapes
Council gave pre-budget approval for the Economic Development Department to attend the Saltscapes Expo at the end of April.
Saltscapes is a consumer show held in Halifax each year, showcasing all parts of the Atlantic Provinces and Maine.
The cost to participate is $2,100.
Solid Waste Budget approved
The Region of Queens Municipality approved the 2013-2014 operating budget of Region 6 Solid Waste Management during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Feb. 12.
The budget is $183,114 and is a slight decrease from last year’s budget of $183,485.
Region 6 Solid Waste Management serves 13 municipal units including the Region of Queens Municipality.
Tipping fee increase
The Region of Queens Municipality Council approved a recommendation allowing Landfill Tipping Fees to increase.
Tipping fees for all solid waste disposal except Recyclable Material will increase by 2.27 per cent effective April 1, 2013. Tipping Fees for Recyclable Material will increase by 2.75 per cent effective April 1, 2013.
The increase will not affect residents of Queens County who make four or less visits with a delivery of less than one tonne each month to the Solid Waste Management Facility.
Fees will apply to those who go above the personal limit of waste deliveries or those who are residents outside of Queens County who are using the facility.
Key Club convention funding
The Region of Queens Municipality Council will sponsor two members of the Liverpool Regional High School Key Club to attend a Key Club Convention in Ottawa.
The $200 Volunteer Training Grant came from the Community Grants and Programs budget line.
Members of council felt it was important to sponsor the group due to its contributions to the community as a volunteer program.
“What a fine group the Key Club is and what an outstanding group of students we have in the community,” said Mayor Christopher Clarke.
The Key Club has been fundraising through other means as well such as a Valentine’s Tea but the group feared they would not be able to come up with all the required money.
The convention takes place from April 12 – 14.
