Minutes of the Westport Village Commission

May 2, 2023

Minutes Village of Westport Commission

Tuesday May 2, 2023

  1. Call to Order: 6:42pm
  1. Additions to the Agenda:

     a.Meeting with Municipality on May 1st-Gordie had a meeting with Jeff Sunderland where the following was discussed. Jeff advised Jill Balser has been pushing for us to receive services.

Lighthouses-The Municipality has $25,000 to work on each lighthouse. Some measurements were taken during this visit to start planning future updates.

Ditches-Rerouting ditches would have to be approved by TIR.

Roads-Our main road is covered Provincially. The rest of our roads are covered Municipally. There was discussion about hiring contractors to do the work for Municipal roads. There is a 3yr plan to put dirt on the Western Light road and “hole” is expected to be fixed this year.

Septics-Options for septic changes were discussed as our septic and grey water currently runs to the ocean. A Septic plant had previously been discussed but with a cost of ~$10, 000, 000 is not a likely option. New septic systems, which may be able to be shared between 2 houses per septic, were discussed. Jeff Sunderland was interested and is going to look into the cost and if the municipality would be able to help with the cost, payment options, and overall cost to the owners.It is expected the cost could be around $20, 000 per household.

  1. Adoption of Agenda:Gordie Motioned to adopt.  Shelley 2nd. Motion Carried.
  1. Minutes of Tuesday April 11, 2023. Gordie Motioned to adopt.  Shelley 2nd. Motion Carried.
  1. Monthly Financial Statement
    1. March Financials. Gordie Motioned to adopt. Shelley 2nd. Motion Carried.
  1. Old Business:
  1. Asset Retirement Obligations Assessment: Assessment is scheduled for May 5th.
  2. Comm Hall doors and locks repairs/replacement: Gordie advised he talked to Bruce at Sou’west who advised the community hall doors should be coming any day and that he would bring a new tumbler for the fire hall doors.
  3. Island Medical Services: Gordie advised he did call and leave a voicemail with Jill Balser in an attempt to discuss the ambulance service for the islands.No reply so far.
  4. Veterans Signs:Clerk spoke with Brian Bowerman who advised he would see what information he could get for the signs in regards to Veteran names and other details. The first banner to be created will be for Raymond Robicheau with the goal to have it ready for his 100th birthday.Clerk to get details from family and provide to Digby Signs.
  5. Google image for Westport, NS-Shelley confirmed Kayak image has been removed. No further action required.
  6. Road Conditions-Gordie advised he spoke with Jeff Sunderland who advised there is a three year plan to put dirt on Western Light Road to build it up. It is expected that the “hole” near Western Light will be done this year.Todd Amero advised it is planned that our roads will be graded and they will check our ditches. Highway 217 repaving has been planned but they are running 7 years behind and it may be that long again before we see this done. Todd also advised Gordie to look at last year’s plan for an idea of what was planned. The culvert by Gordie O’Neill’s house was the first item on the list but was not addressed. Todd advised that they would not do the culvert as they don’t know who originally put the culvert in. It was stated that it is hard to get work done due to the travel time and allowed work hours.  No further action at this time.
  7. Bylaw-Ditches-Gordie looked into this and advised anything running from homes to ditches, or beach, is the owners responsibility. No further action.
  8. Property tax increases-Gordie advised the Village of Westport can only control the village rate, which has not changed in some time, and has no control over the municipality rate. He advised homeowners can reach out to the Municipality to complete a request to have their taxes capped. No further action.

      7. New Business:

  1. Auxiliary Donation for old home week request-$500 dollar donation agreed on. Gordie Motioned to adopt. Trevor 2nd. Motion Carried.
  2. Culvert pipe-Clyde Stark wanted the leftover culvert pipe and it was agreed he could have it in trade for cleaning up the area by the old school.

      8. Next Village Meeting Tuesday, June 6, 2023

     9. Adjournment: 8:30pm

Questions from the floor: