Minutes for Village of Westport Commission
Monday April 7th, 2025
- Call to Order:6:32pm
- Attendees:Mike McKinnell (chair), Gordie O’Neill (commissioner), Shelley Lonergan
(vice chair), Angela Lonergan (clerk) - Additions to the Agenda:Mike McKinnell presented his resignation from the commission
effective immediately following this meeting. Gordie and Shelley thanked him for all of
his assistance during his time as a commissioner. - Adoption of Agenda: Gordie motioned to adopt; Shelley seconded. Motion carried.
- Minutes:
a. March Gordie motioned to adopt; Shelley seconded. Motion carried. - Monthly Financial Statement
a. March Shelley motioned to adopt; Gordie seconded. Motion carried. - Old Business:
a. Community Hall doors and locks/repairs/ replacement:Gordie advised the l.ock
repair company was down and didn’t want to put in the keypad locks as they
were not the correct depth for the doors. They suggested an alternative-having
one master key for all doors. This would eliminate needing multiple keys and
restrict access to buildings as the key cannot be copied unless we request
additional copies. The library would not be changed to the master key. The cost
would be $2,842.19. Gordie motioned to adopt; Shelley seconded. Motion
carried. Gordie will confirm and request the company proceed with the change.
b. Life Rings on Wharves: The life rings need to be plaped on the wharves where
they will not block or interfere with access. Shelley offered to check with Penny
Graham for further input on best positioning. It was agreed that a volunteer to
help install the rings should be made. Mike McKinnell advised he would be happy
to do so.
c. Job Opportunities:lslands Maintenance (Jimmy Outhouse) proposal was the only
applicant for grass cutting/snow & garbage removal. Gordie advised the proposal
would be accepted but there would have to be a log of dates and services which
the Village could provide. Jimmy advised he has log sheets already he could use.
If there are any concerns with the sheets something suitable can be drafted.
Angela also advised the inv<;>ices need to be received monthly and be broken out
by services performed at each of the three Village buildings, or around the Village
itself, as requested by the Auditor. Gordie motioned to adopt; Shelley seconded.
Motion carried. There were a couple of questions from the floor: 1 )It was noticed
there are black garbage bags in some of the containers. Jimmy advised they are
used to line the bins but a blue or clear bag is placed inside the black bags as
appropriate. This eliminates mess if the blue/clear bags tear or leak. It was
suggested he may want to use heavy duty versions of the clear/blue bags as the
liners to avoid confusion. 2)There has been a carpet bundled on the ferry wharf
that appears to have come from someone’s home/boat and dumped. Gordie
confirmed the location and advised he would have it cut up to be removed.
d. Road Repairs:Gordie advised he spoke with Todd a few months ago and was
told any road repairs were not expected to happen until late summer and has not
had any updates from him yet. Gordie also spoke with Jill Balser and has not had
an update. He had requested a copy of the planned roadwork and has received
nothing to date. He has also tried calling the Middleton office. He has reported
multiple culvert issues but no update on repairs. He advised he has seen some
markings on Pond Cove Road. Gordie said if individuals of the village call the
Middleton office and report issues they will get a ticket number. If we can get a
record of any ticket numbers filed we could take those to Jill Balser for further
.investigation. The Village Commission will have the new clerk prepare a letter for
TIR (Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal) in Middleton regarding the road
conditions with an emphasis on safety and tourism. This could also be forwarded
to David Pugh in Halifax andTodd Amero in Digby.
e. Hall rental rates, deposits, check in/out process, and special rates:Deferring until
June meeting once new commissioners are voted in.
f. Community Hall shut down January to March:Deferring until June meeting once
new commissioners are voted in.
g. Rec Hall double door leak:Mike McKinnell confirmed he was able to fix the issue.
To be removed.
h. Library gutter cleaning/covers:Gordie advised he still has not had any response
regarding the gutters. The question was raised if w could use some kind of
waiver so volunteers could do the work. Angela advised she would email Sherry
at Brokerlink to find out and get further clarification.
i. Clerk position and duties: Angela advised the successful applicant for the
position of clerk was Jacqueline Journeay. She has agreed to take on the clerk
duties and Angela will remain as Treasurer.The monthly remuneration of $600
will be split equally between the positions. This may be reevaluated in the future.
Gordie motioned to adopt; Shelley seconded. Motion carried. Jacqueline is
currently away but will commence as clerk once she returns. To be removed.
j. Recreation auxiliary multipurpose court creation:Gordie advised he did meet with
the Recreation Auxiliary to provide a land lease agreement for the land that is
anticipated to be used for the Multipurpose Court. Cihr-commented that
they had some concerns with the lease as it was generic and not specific to the
situation/parties. She also stated that they had concerns that because there was
not a specific period of time for the land to be leased their applications for grants
may be rejected or further information needed which could delay the grant
process. The Commission inquired if they had received any notification that this
was the case for grants they had already applied for and her response indicated
not at this time. The Commission advised if she would like to send the details of
their concerns with the contract to the Village email the y woul d be happy to take
them under advisement. Members of t he Recreation Auxiliary also provided
so me update s on the project. They are plann ing the project i n th ree ph ses;
ground prep, concrete pour or possibly pavement, and fencing/equipment
installation. They d iscussed pricing quotes from various companies wit h some
being almost double others for the same work and so me companies refusing to
do any work in Westport. They indic ated t hey a re hopin g to hear back regarding
the Municipal grant soon.
k. 2025-2026 Budget meeting:The bud get figures decided on at the March meeting
along with two chan ges as suggested by the Village Auditor were reviewed. The
Auditor advised we should really have a line under exp ense s for “Amortization”
and under revenues “Tr ansfer from surplus” (portion of Net F inancial Assets)
which he provi ded the fig ures for to balance the budget. Concerns were raised
from the floor regarding the use of the “transfer from surplus” as well as the format
of the bud get (specificall y Expenses listed before R evenues). The figure s were
adv ised base d on the advice from the auditor and the format is not of concern to
the auditor but was taken under a dvisement. Gordie motioned to adopt; Shelley
se conded. Moti on carried.
I. Code of Conduct:The Code of Conduct was presented a nd the Commissi on
elected to adopt as policy. Mike mot ioned to adopt; Gordie seconde d. Motion
c arried. Policy will be sha red to the Village Website.
m . Equity and Anti-Racism plan:Angela advised Digby Municipality successfully
passed the Equity and Anti-Racism plan and the Commission ag ree d to adopt.
Mike motioned to adopt; Gordie seconded. Motion arried. Plan will be sha red to
the Village website.To be removed.
n. Ferry Service-Shelley advised the Jo e Casey was brought bank into service.
Jimmy Outhouse advised the Federal Government has given a three month
extension in ser vice to allow time for additional staff to be hired and necessary
training to be provided. T he situation will be reviewed again at t hat time. To be
remov ed.
o. Firehall Entity-Gordie is continuing to look into this option. Discussion continue s
with the Westport F ire Department. The Fire Department is not sure they could
afford to t ake over the costs of the hall. Some grants for e quipment can’t go
through the Village itself whereas the Fire De partment as a se par ate entity would
be eligible. The re was a question from the floor asking wha t would ha ppen to the
Recreation Hall if the Fire Department beco mes a separate e ntity. The
Recreation hall c annot be separate d from the Fire Hall so the enti re buil ding
would go to the Fire Department and be managed/maintained by the Fire
Departme nt.
p. Refund from Municipality for i nsurance on Firehall & Trucks-Gordie advised he
will have the new clerk look into getting a refund for a portion of our Insurance. 1
He wasn’t sure what percentage of refund w e will get with the Fire Department
under the Village. The Fire Department as a separate entity would be eligible for
more. - New Business:
a. AGM Commissioner Vote: The Commission would like to increase the “number of
commissioners so that there will be three or five commissioners in place
especially as it is hard to get and keep individuals in the role. Gordie motioned to
adopt; Shelley seconded. Motion carried. At the AGM a vote will be held for new
commissioners. With the new Code of Conduct i_n place applicants will need a
Criminal Record Check to be provided and paid for by the applicant.
b. Commissioner Stipends:ln order to make room in the budget for up to five
om missioners the stipend for Commissioners will be reduced to $500 annually.
Gordie motioned to adopt; Shelley seconded. Motion carried.
c. Commission Chair:With Mike McKinnell’s departure a new chair is needed.
Gordie O’Neill agreed to chair the Commission until the election at the AGM. - Next Village Meeting Tuesday May 6th, 2025 6:30pm Community Hall
- Adjournment: 8: 17pm
Minutes for Village of Westport Commission
Monday April 7th, 2025
Rl:VIEWED AND.ADOPTED: -:f Qo iS
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Gordie O’Neill-Chair Shelley Lonergan-Vice Chair