Settled 1765 – Incorporated 1946
Minutes for Village of Westport Commission Tuesday, 6 May 2025
- Call to order: 6:35 pm
- Attendees: Commissioners O’Neill, S. Lonergan, Clerk, Treasurer, and nine community residents.
- Additions to the Agenda: Under new business: Kristina Inrig to give a grant update; Webers Electrical bill payment; Trevor Moore stipend payment.
- Commissioner Lonergan moved to accept the Agenda and Commissioner O’Neill seconded the motion.
- Approval of 7 April minutes: Correction to Old Business 7j: It was noted that Amy Tudor spoke, not Kristina Inrig. Commissioner Lonergan moved to approve the amended April Minutes and Commissioner O’Neill seconded the motion.
- Monthly Financial Statement: Commissioner O’Neill Moved to adopt the April Financial statement.
- New Business:
a. Community Hall Doors: Locks are ordered. Waiting for Pecks Auto Glass to receive the door locks.
b. Life Rings: Penny Graham from Westport Harbour Authority to confirm location for life rings on wharves.
c. Job Opportunities/AGM: Treasurer to confirm with Aaron Kelly at Doane Grant Thorton that we will have documents for the AGM.
d. Road Repairs: Commissioner O’Neill thanked MLA Jill Balser and Municipality of Digby Councillor Peter Scherer for their talks with Public works as the Public Works crew was on the Island May 7. Commissioner O’Neill reminded all that Public Works will need to dig in ditches and that signs in ditches “do not dig in ditch” placed by Community residents would not stop the Public Works crew. Discussion about ensuring that the community supports the Public Works employees. He discussed a 2024 and Future Activity/Status/Location project list and reminded all that the work is weather dependent as the crew need dry weather. Also, funding may come this year, or not. Commissioner O’Neil advised all to keep calling for work tickets and any residents that need ditches dug to send photos to him. He thanked Jimmy Outhouse for the conversations with Jill Balser regarding the Island roads.
e. Hall Rentals: Deferred to June.
f. Recreation Hall Doors: Completed.
g. Library gutters: Commissioner O’Neill thanked Mike McKinnell for working on the gutters.
h. Westport Recreation Auxiliary: Kristina Inrig gave an update on the Multipurpose court: The project will be done in three stages. To date, the Auxiliary has received two grants (10K and 8K) and they are hoping to receive additional funding. Commissioner O’Neill reminded the Auxiliary to be aware of the location for the pipes and water well, and Kristina stated the contractor is aware of the location for pipes and the well.
i. 2025-2026 Budget: Removed.
j. Code of Conduct: The Investigator contact information will be uploaded to the website, as well as the signed Code of Conduct, and Schedules B, C, and D. The approved April Minutes will be sent to Municipal Affairs as requested.
k. Ferry Service: No extensions. Crew size and skill level as per previous notices. Six crew/job positions to be posted.
l. Firehall Entity: Removed.
m. Refund from Municipality of Digby. Commissioner O’Neill requested the Clerk to contact Cora Lee Ross at the Municipality for a 50% refund of the Insurance paid for 2024-2025 on fire trucks and the firehall.
- New Business:
- Municipality of Digby Accessibility Plan Update for 2025: Commissioner O’Neill advised he would stay on as the Village rep. There were no accessibility upgrades in the past three years. He asked the Clerk to investigate grants for washroom upgrades.
- Water Testing for Village buildings: Jacqueline Cook (from the Western Zone Department of Environment and Climate Control) advised that we should practice due diligence with water testing on a regular basis. Frequency is every six months for bacteria and every two years for chemical contaminants. Commissioner O’Neill agreed to take a water sample Wednesday, 8 May to the Digby Hospital.
- The Village Audit Committee meeting is 13 May at 6:30pm at the Community Hall and is open to all.
- Grant Update: Kristina Inrig from the Brier Island Foundation advised that a grant for $500.00 would be given to the Village Commission to cover costs associated with rental fees for Community groups.
- Webers Electrical: Commissioner O’Neill advised that Dun Right Electrical Inc fixed Webers Electrical work, but we need to pay Webers Electrical. Commissioner O’Neill moved to pay Webers Electrical $2835.24, and Commissioner Lonergan seconded the motion.
- Trevor Moore: Commissioner O’Neill moved to pay Trevor Moore $125.00 for two months stipend as Commissioner, and Commissioner Lonergan seconded the motion.
9. Next Village meeting is Tuesday, 3 June at 6:30pm at the Community Hall.
10. Adjournment: 7:45 pm
Questions from electors: Pat Moore asked about regaining the status of Highway 217 on Brier Island, and would the Commission inquire.
_________________Signed 3 June 2025____________ ____Signed 3 June 2025_____________________________
Gordon O’Neill, Head Commissioner Jacqueline Journeay, Clerk
June 2025 June 2025