Minutes of the Westport Village Commission

Tuesday, 8 July 2025

SETTLED 1765-INCORPORATED 1946

Minutes for the Village Of Westport Commission, 8 July 2025

  1. Call to order: 6:32pm
  2. Attendees: Commissioners O’Neill and Lonergan, Village Clerk, and nine Community members.
  3. Additions to the Agenda: at the end of New Business, the Chair asked for exterior staining of the Community Hall to be listed.
  4. Adoption of Agenda: Commissioner O’Neill moved to adopt the Agenda and Commissioner Lonergan seconded the motion. Motion carried.
  5. Approval of Tuesday, 3 June 2025 Village Commission Minutes: Commissioner Lonergan moved to approve the Minutes and Commissioner O’Neill seconded the motion. Motion carried.
  6. Approval of the 3 June 2025 Financial Statement: Commissioner Lonergan moved to accept the June 2025 Financial Statement.
  7. Old Business:
  8. Village building doors and locks replacement: The Clerk advised that Pecks could not make the 9 July appointment as a part was not available. Commissioner O’Neill will call.
  9. Village roads repair updates:

i.   Commissioner O’Neill called the NS Department of Public Works about the wooden corner extension at Second and Wellington and he advised that an engineer will make a report.

ii.   Municipality’s response regarding J-Class roads on Brier: Clerk to follow-up.

iii   Response from MLA Balser regarding our 14 June letter about J-Class roads and the Province’s failure to fund in 2025. The Clerk will contact MLA Balser and ask for a meeting with Public Works and MLA.

  • Village of Westport Buildings Rental and Usage Policy 05: Commissioner O’Neill moved to accept the Policy with amendments and Commissioner Lonergan seconded the motion. Clerk to inquire about Insurance requirements for renters.
  • Westport Recreation Auxiliary Multipurpose Court update: The Auxiliary is waiting for funds to pave the court. The surveyor pinned the property.
  • Request for the Municipality to refund 60% for 2025-2026 Village Insurance for Fire Hall and Fire Truck Insurance: Clerk forwarded all documents to Director of Finance at the Municipality.
  • Accessibility Grants for washrooms in Village Buildings: Commissioner O’Neill and Clerk to pursue topic. Ongoing
  • Water Testing: The water sample passed.  Commissioner O’Neill moved to have a contract with West Nova Labs to collect the water sample twice per year at a cost of $208.00 and Commissioner Lonergan seconded the motion. Motion carried.
  • Ferry Update: The Commissioners stated they were monitoring the situation. The petition is at R. E. Robicheau Ltd., for signing by all Nova Scotia residents. Commissioner Lonergan advised that the Petit Princess should be in service shortly.

8. New Business:

  1. Letter from the Brier Island Foundation Working Group: Commissioner O’Neill thanked Brian Bowerman for providing a report on a meeting held with the Warden, District 4 Councillor, and the CAO on Wednesday, 11 June 2025. The Municipality expressed a desire for the CCG Westport Station to be used by a non-profit organization and not a private citizen. They do not have a plan for the building, but they would consider a relationship like SAIL2.
  2. Discussion and Motion to amend the Village Garbage Collection: Commissioner O’Neill moved to add $20.00 to the summer garbage collection for adding garbage collection at the Big Meadow Bog Trailhead, and Commissioner Lonergan seconded the motion. Motion carried.
  3. Discussion and Motion to contact Nature Conservancy Canada for payment of garbage at Pond Cove. Clerk to follow-up with NCC.
  4. Motion to approve the Municipality / Town of Digby Accessibility Plan: Commissioner Lonergan motioned to approve the Plan and Commissioner O’Neill seconded the motion. Motion carried. The clerk will advise Municipality and request Commissioner O’Neill and Clerk to be added to the Accessibility Committee’s email distribution list.
  5. Exterior stain for the Community Hall: Commissioner O’Neill stated the exterior should be stained. $5,000.00 is available from the Westport Trust, Raymond Robicheau gave a donation in 2023 for upgrades to the Community Hall. Commissioner O’Neill and the Clerk to obtain quotes.

9. Next Meeting: AGM possible dates are Friday, 1 August or Tuesday, 19 August

10. Adjournment: 8:47pm

Discussion from the community:

A) Several community residents expressed concern over unsightly property at 14 Second Street as it may be a place for teens to gather with the possibilities of sustaining injuries.  A suggestion to create a By Law for Abandoned Property. The Clerk will discuss with Municipality;  

2) There is a maple tree growing very close to a light pole at 63 Second Street Lot 20A. The Clerk will contact NS Power.

3) Suggestion to add a garbage bin at the beach steps. The Clerk will contact Clarke Lent (R. E. Robicheau Ltd.,) for the location of the garbage bin.

____________________________                             __________________________________

Commissioner Gordon O’Neill, Chair                         Commissioner Shelley Lonergan

_____________________________

Jacqueline Journeay Village Clerk

MINUTES APPROVED 2 September 2025