Residents' News
February 1, 2012
Municipality of the District of Guysborough Launches Blog /Twitter Feeds
Today, the Municipality launched a new blog on its website, www.modg.ca. The Warden and CAO will be twittering in feeds to the blog that are factually based. The intention is to keep residents and visitors to the site up to date in a timely fashion on matters being dealt with by the Municipality. Warden Lloyd Hines will have a twitter address of @modgwarden and CAO Barry Carroll will have a twitter address of @modgcao.
“Our website has evolved into an excellent communication tool for our Municipality” says Warden Hines. “Since creating our new website, the traffic has almost tripled, and, in addition, our Facebook page has more than 900 followers.”
As one of its strategic goals, the MODG Council is committed to keeping our residents, our visitors, members of the media, and all of our friends around the world up to date on MODG happenings.
“Social Media and the full use of web based technologies are evolving at a rapid pace” continues Hines. “We’re doing our best to utilize all of the tools at our disposal, with the sole objective of keeping people informed.”
More information is available by contacting Lloyd Hines, Warden at 870-0353 and Barry Carroll, CAO at 533-3705.
Municipality of the District of Guysborough Responds to NS Utility & Review Board’s Decision on Canso Dissolution Application
The Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG), other interested parties and the public were advised today of the Nova Scotia Utility & Review Board’s (NSUARB) decision in response to the Town of Canso’s Application to the Board for Dissolution of Town status.
The Town of Canso applied to the UARB for Dissolution in September 2010 and a Preliminary Hearing was held in the fall of 2010, which resulted in numerous financial and infrastructure related studies being completed during the spring and summer of 2011. The Municipality, the Town and the Province worked diligently to formulate a cooperative agreement relating to finances, governance and future operation of services in the Town of Canso. These agreements, which were developed in the best interest of the residents of Canso and the entire Municipality were formally presented to the UARB at a Hearing held in Canso on December 5, 2011.
The decision rendered by the UARB today is an “Order” that Canso Town status be dissolved effective July 1, 2012. As a result of this Order, Canso will no longer be chartered under the Municipal Government Act as a “Town” and therefore will revert to being a community of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough. This UARB Order also results in Canso becoming an eight municipal district in the MODG governance structure.
Warden Lloyd Hines stated “This UARB decision is good news for residents of both Canso and MODG and in fact the entire Province as the uncertainty over the past few years has been difficult for all.” Warden Hines continued “The UARB, the Province, the Town and Guysborough Municipal Council are to be commended for the level of effort and cooperation that has resulted in this Board decision.”
MODG will now proceed with an integration plan to assume operation of all municipal services in the Town of Canso commencing July 1, 2012. The Municipality will strive to assume the responsibility for the provision of municipal services in Canso with as little impact to residents as possible.
Warden Hines praised Canso Town Council, Town Staff and Canso residents for their proactive involvement in the very difficult dissolution process. “On behalf of the residents and Council of MODG, I am honoured to welcome the great historic fishing community of Canso to join our large family of communities in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough. Together we are stronger.” Hines concluded.
To view a copy of the UARB's decision, please click here: Canso Decision - January 19, 2012.pdf
To view a copy of the UARb's order, please click here: Canso Order - January 19 2012.pdf
January 4, 2012
Guysborough County District RCMP Christmas Day Activities
On Christmas Day, members of Guysborough County District attended the three Senior's Homes within the County, Milford Haven Manor, Guysborough, Seaside Manor, Canso, and High Crest Senior's Home, Sherbrooke, and served the residents their Christmas Dinner. Pictured below is the RCMP visit at the Milford Haven Nursing Home in the Shiretown of Guysborough.
December 15, 2011
Municipality of the District of Guysborough Signs Contract with Seaforth Energy Inc.
The Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) announced today the signing of a contract with Seaforth Energy Inc. for the supply, installation and commissioning of up to five (5) AOC 15/50 (50kw) wind turbines. The Municipality is in the process of submitting applications under the NS ComFIT Program, which would see up to three turbines sited on the Melford Industrial Lands and two turbines sited in the Goldboro Industrial Park. The contract is valued at more than $1.5 M should the Province approve the five applications from MODG.
“When we first heard the announcement about the introduction of the NS ComFIT Program, we thought it was a great opportunity for our Municipality to play a role in helping the Province reach the 25% renewable energy goal by 2015” states Warden Lloyd Hines. “It’s also a sound investment opportunity for us and fits nicely with the objectives in our Municipal Planning Strategy and our Strategic Plan.”
The Province of Nova Scotia enacted renewable energy legislation in October of 2010 that will lead to an increase in the amount of renewable electricity produced in Nova Scotia by 2015. Subsequent to this, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board set rates that would be applicable for energy generated in the (<) 50kw category. Before proceeding with the project, MODG requires Ministerial approval and MODG is in the process of receiving approval through the application process.
The chosen contractor, Seaforth Energy, Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers of commercial grade wind turbines with its AOC-15/50 and sister EW-50 turbines, having the most operating hours and longest standing active 50kW fleet in the world. "Seaforth Energy is proud to have been selected by a progressive jurisdiction, right in our own backyard, such as MODG," said Craig Whitman, General Manager. "Independent testing has
verified the market-leading performance and durability of the AOC-15/50, which we manufacture right here in Nova Scotia."
For more information, please contact Warden Lloyd Hines at (902) 870-0353 or Barry Carroll, CAO at (902) 533-3705 on behalf of MODG; and Mr. Craig Whitman (902) 471-7980 on behalf of Seaforth Energy Inc.
November 25, 2011
Information Bulletin Re. Town of Canso Dissolution & Integration with Municipality
The Municipality of the District of Guysborough has prepared an Information Bulletin for all residents with regard to the dissolution of the Town of Canso and its integration with the Municipality. Please click the link below to view the document.
Information Bulletin November 2011.pdf
November 17, 2011
Municipality of the District of Guysborough Reaches Deal on Canso Dissolution
The Municipality of the District of Guysborough announced today that an agreement has been reached on how infrastructure and other financial matters existing in the Town of Canso will be accommodated after the winding up of the Town’s incorporation. Warden Hines, Minister John MacDonnell and Deputy Mayor Paul Horne announced the signing of a Letter of Intent outlining future funding arrangements on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Province House.
“Reaching an agreement between the parties in advance of the Utility and Review Board (UARB) hearings will avoid major costs that may have been incurred if one of the parties had to contest the application for dissolution/amalgamation with MODG and will now enable the Council for the Municipality to get down to the business of continuous improvement.” said Warden Hines.
UARB hearings are scheduled to commence December 5th and 6th in Canso and Guysborough to hear from the parties to the application by the Town of Canso, which is asking the UARB for permission to dissolve its incorporation. The hearing will also be an opportunity for members of the public to voice their opinion. Members of the public who wish to speak must register with the UARB by November 29, 2011.
Hines praised MODG and Canso Councils and Staff for their incredible hard work and devotion to the task over the last eighteen months as they constantly kept the interests of all ratepayers as their primary objective.
“This is the first such dissolution in the modern history of Nova Scotia and therefore was not an easy prospect. MODG Council has worked towards building a sustainable financial plan that will assist the community of Canso and all municipal residents in moving forward” said Hines. “We will continue to build on the strong foundation we have established for the people in our communities.” Hines concluded.
For further information contact:
Warden Lloyd Hines
(902) 870-0353
Mr. Barry Carroll, CAO
(902) 533-3705 Ext. 228
NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD
NOTICE OF HEARING
THE TOWN OF CANSO has applied to the Board under section 395 of the Municipal Government Act to dissolve the Town and amalgamate with the Municipality of the District of Guysborough.
The Hearing will be held as follows:
COMMENCING:
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 9:30 a.m.
Canso Fire Hall
1134 Union Street
Canso, Nova Scotia
EVENING SESSION:
Monday, December 5, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Canso Fire Hall
1134 Union Street, Canso
EVENING SESSION:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Guysborough Municipal Council Chambers,
33 Pleasant Street, Guysborough
THE PURPOSE OF THIS HEARING is to hear evidence and argument on the merits
of the application.
ALL PERSONS MAY ATTEND THE HEARING. PERSONS WHO ARE NOT
PARTIES, BUT WHO WISH TO SPEAK, MAY DO SO AT THE EVENING
SESSIONS, AND MUST NOTIFY THE BOARD OF THEIR INTENTION TO DO SO
NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2011. All such persons shall be
scheduled on a speakers list which will determine the order of speakers at the
evening sessions. Depending on the circumstances, the Board may limit the time for
each speaker. Any person wishing to make written submissions, whether or not they
are speaking at an evening session, must file such submissions with the Board, to
be received by the Board no later than Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Filing can be
by delivery, mail, fax or e-mail.
The Board can be contacted at: Clerk of the Board, Nova Scotia Utility and
Review Board, PO Box 1692, Unit "M", Suite 300, Summit Place, 1601 Lower
Water Street, Halifax, N.S. B3J 3S3, Fax: (902) 424-3919, Telephone: (902) 424-4448,
E-Mail: board@gov.ns.ca
Documents filed by the Town are available for inspection at the Canso Town Office
and at the Office of the Board or on the Board's website at www.nsuarb.ca under
the Evidence Tab, Matter Number M03578. The documents filed by other formal
intervenors, including the Municipality of the District of Guysborough, can be
accessed through the Board's website or at the Office of the Board.
Notice of Hearing.pdf
Proposed Amendment of Proceedings of Council By-Law
NOTICE is hereby given that the Council of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough, in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, will hold a Second Reading of the amended Proceedings of Council By-Law at the Municipal Council Session to be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Anyone interested in viewing the amended Proceedings of Council By-Law can do so at the Municipal Office, 33 Pleasant Street, Guysborough, Nova Scotia, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.