Two appointed to new Intermunicipal Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee
Evelyn Pollard and Karen Leblanc were appointed by the Amherst town council on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, as the town’s citizen representatives on the newly formed Intermunicipal Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee.
Helping reduce poverty in the Cumberland region is one of the council’s top priorities. It believes the appointments are the first step into the good work the council expects the intermunicipal committee will carry out for the citizens of Amherst, Oxford and Cumberland County.
The appointments are for a one-year term that ends on March 31, 2023.
Adjustments made to water capital, general capital budgets
Amherst town council approved adjustments to its 2021-22 water and general capital budgets.
The first amendment will see funding for four water capital projects – totalling $632,000 – come from the town’s water depreciation account instead of incurring long-term debt. The adjustment saves the town about $215,000 in debenture interest costs.
The second adjustment increases the fire hose replacement funding listed in the general capital budget to $52,000 from $30,000. The increase is a result of rising costs for fire hose. The additional funding will come from the current year’s surplus.
Land acquisition
Council also approved the purchase of three properties in proximity the North Tyndal wellfield protection zone.
Funding for the purchases will not affect the town’s budget or reserves as the funds, totalling $296,000 plus HST, will come from the Nova Scotia Department of Environment – Canada Nature Fund’s Nature Challenge Fund.
The ultimate intent of the land acquisition is to help get closer to the goal of protecting 17 per cent of Canada’s land and inland water areas.
Land sale
The sale of town-owned properties, located at 138 Church St. and 21 Davison St., to the owners of 136 Church St. for an agreed upon price of $7,300 plus applicable HST, was approved by the council.
Both lots were considered non-usable lots for development because they lie in a flood plain and were declared surplus by the town.
Wellfield Generator
Council approved a staff recommendation to purchase a new towable, diesel-fueled generator and to upgrade four production-well pump motors with variable frequency drives at the North Tyndal Wellfield.
The new generator and pump upgrades are a solution to technical issues identified with the original plan to purchase and install one permanent generator at the wellfield.
The cost of the new items, $190,000, can be accommodated within the original budget amount for the project.
Policies amended
Council approves amendments to two policies. The amendment to the town’s Signing Authority Policy adds the town’s treasurer to the list of signing officers who can sign documents, such as cheques and bank documents, on behalf of the town.
It also approves house-keeping amendments to its Grass Maintenance Policy that clear up language within the policy and revises the list of properties the town maintains.
