Murray Scott

At the April 7th Council Meeting a rodent control plan for the community of Springhill was addressed. First, staff are going to work with a professional exterminator in areas with rodent infestations. Second, there will be an opportunity in the coming week for residents in Springhill to dispose of their properly bagged and sorted solid waste, with bag limits removed. Please keep an eye out for information on the date of this. If the excessive garbage issue isn’t disposed of,... by-law enforcement officers will issue clean-up orders as needed. Council and staff will create a policy regarding rodent control in the hopes that future situations may benefit from a fair and consistent handling of the issue. Councillors McCormick and Joseph will be working with community groups in their districts to organize litter pick-ups. If you are a member of a community club that would like to participate, contact either councillor and let them know. Please, we need to tackle this as a community problem Ensure you don't place bird feed, dog food or any food products on your property As well don't leave garbage or litter about your property, we will move to clean up others. Thanks Murray 902 664 9881

Week in Mayor's office This past week we have received concerns from residents regarding the increased presence of rodents in Springhill. As a result we have sought the advice of a pest control service provider. We are aware that this same problem exists in other areas as well. This is a community problem that we need to address together by following certain precautions. ... 1. Please ensure garbage around your property is not allowed to collect or pile up. 2. Don't put out bird or dog food that will lead to the encouraging of rodents to feed on your property. 3. Continue to report unsightly properties that allow for the collection of garbage in yards. 4. Continue to report sightings of rodents so staff will be aware of locations of these pests. Councillors McCormick and Joseph have and are working on your behalf to find solutions together with our staff. We spent Saturday identifying areas of concern with large amounts of garbage on properties. With the snow now gone it is obvious of the places that have allowed for garbage to accumulate and we must all do our part. We will engage the pest control services to help us find further solutions. We will be providing more information in the coming days. Attended a meeting regarding diversity for municipalities. Meeting with seniors regarding EMO and our emergency coordinator. Pugwash re: video,congratulatory message with Councillor Houghtaling for our nurses. Met with forestry advisory committee and presentation to council re: Biodiversity Act. Presentation to Nova scotia Legislature re: Law Amendments committee and Bill 4. Attended GOVRC meeting. In Parrsboro to meet with Councillor Goodwin and other members of council to prepare for upcoming season for the Glooscap Campground and improvements. Met by way of zoom with Dr. Strang for update on Province's current situation regarding Covid 19. Also Minister of Municipal Affairs. Zoom meeting with Councillor Houghtaling and Pugwash teacher Mrs. Black and her High School Civics class to discuss municipal representation and areas of responsibilities. Continue to receive many calls, texts and emails with various concerns and issues. Thank you, Murray 902 664 9881 See more

Mayor's office We continue to work to provide enforcement abilities to our bylaw officers particularly as to how it relates to unsightly premise. Sold River Hebert Elementary school, purchaser plans to renovate it into apartments. We are doing an inventory of municipality owned properties to look toward divestiture of the surplus ones.... Moving toward a commercial property tax incentive to encourage development and expansion of business. Taking ownership of replacing street lights that need to be repaired. Cumberland county company engaged to complete this task. Contacted Colchester municipality to request they consider allowing Cumberland to be a part of their review of policing services so that we may consider our options for our residents. Every second Wednesday of the month there will be a live feed where residents will hear from councillors who represent various committees and they will report on the workings of those committees. Councillors attended a meeting of Cumberland county Fire Chiefs to hear their reports and concerns. We are in the process of setting up a fire service advisory committee made up of representatives of the fire service and council. Council met with the new Minister of Municipal Affairs and staff by way of zoom. These are some of the issues and work council continues to do on your behalf Thanks Murray 902 664 9881 See more

Week in Mayor's office I want to make everyone aware, and please share, the Federal government has announced a new program that community groups should know about which will allow applications for funding for community projects. The name is "Canada Healthy Communities Initiative", projects such as smaller ones that create safer more vibrant and inclusive communities, qualify. This is an opportunity to receive federal funding to assist with those community initiatives. Go to... "[email protected] for more info, please share to all community groups. Special thanks to public works staff for their commitment to our areas during the recent storm, very much appreciated. We had a presentation from Property Valuation Services regarding the property assessments in Cumberland. Met this week to continue work on our capital project plans for this year. Flag Day ceremony recognizing our world renowned flag. Honour to present an award to Natalie Deveaux of Collingwood for her work regarding female leadership through sport recreation and physical activity. On behalf of Fundy Female Leadership Network, congratulations go to Natalie. Also policy and bylaw meeting, reviewing bylaw changes for council consideration. Attended a community meeting in River Hebert. Met with several residents concerning local and personal issues. Thanks, Murray 902 664 9881 See more

Week in Mayor's office Past week we had a presentation from the Cumberland Energy Authority so we could better understand the role the authority plays in the long term development of the Municipality. I met with the Cumberland RCMP to ask about their role in providing policing to our communities and to hear first hand the challenges they face. We have just completed a community questionnaire regarding the Glooscap Campground in Parrsboro. This will help us determine how the p...ark will operate in the future, this council has committed to maintaining ownership of the property and ensuring the public has access to the beach at the campgound. We had met previously with officials of Municipal Affairs to learn of housing programs. Also have asked for an inventory of properties owned by the municipality that could be offered for development of residential homes or complexes that the private sector may have interest in. Attended a meeting with a private business regarding energy options. Attended a joint council meeting with Amherst and Oxford, attempting to determine future collaboration opportunities. Attended a capital program meeting where council is working on reviewing and rating capital projects for the upcoming year. Council held a regular bi monthly meeting where funding was approved for the gym enhancement to the new Springhill elementary school. The funding will come from a previous funding campaign which raised money for phase 3 of the community center, with the remaining funds coming from the sale of the land on which the school will be built. Council also approved the appointment of citizens to several committees, several of whom are new appointments, thank you to all for putting your names forward. Second reading was held on several bylaw amendments, one of which did not pass as a result of residents opposing the change. Council also approved a meter charge of $2.65 per cubic metre for the Parrsboro Sewer system. A review of the low income tax exemption policy was held. Council approved a grant to a group who are attempting to run and maintain the Oxford arena. Council agreed to allow for regular public committee of the whole meetings whereby staff can update council and the public, allow for committee reports and to allow for more time for the work of council to be seen publicly. A proclamation was shared that February has been recognized as African Heritage month in the municipality. Council continues to attend many committee meetings on your behalf. Those include, communication, bylaw and policy, and capital investment to name a few. Friday I was in Pugwash to meet with a business interested in development, and later in River Hebert to meet with residents over issues in the area. Continue to receive many calls, texts and emails over community issues. Thank you Murray 902-664-9881 See more

I can’t believe it has been 3 months since being sworn in.

Week in Mayor's office Last week met with Several residents in Pugwash area with Councillor Houghtaling Also with Pugwash Village Commission and Pugwash Communities in Bloom Toured new business in Pugwash with Deputy Mayor Redmond. Former Seagull pewter building has been purchased by Lee Weir and has been renovated into a sports enterprise along with inside construction of storage buildings, congratulations ... Took part in zoom meeting with Minister of Education , his staff and Transportation folks regarding new elementary school. Councillor McCormick will be councils representative on the steering committee Zoom meeting with Engage Nova Scotia about residents needs around housing, safety and living needs as a result of survey last year. Met with Ski Wentworth owners about future development along with Deputy Mayor Redmond, plans are for a 4 Season project. Thanks to the Wilson family for their commitment to Cumberland County This last week I have lost my text messages so phone has been sent for repairs, if you have text me and waiting for a response please reach out again, I apologize Continue to meet with residents and receive calls on many issues. Will soon have information on places where I can meet in you community Thanks Murray 902 664 9881

This week in the Mayor's office. We started out with the announcement that, after 25 years our CAO is retiring because of medical reasons. This leaves us with a huge task ahead by moving ahead without his direction and knowledge . It also leaves us with the difficult task of replacing him. We wish him all the best. This week we had our regular council meeting that dealt with several rezoning bylaws. We also reviewed our financial strategy which will begin our budget proces...s We have received our assessment roll which has not grown much over the past few years. This offers challenges to us as we try to balance services, revenues and expenditures We are also moving to have committees report at council so the public will be aware of what else we do on their behalf. We have approx 40 committees. Met past week with potential business opportunity for the municipality. Zoom meeting with Cumberland county Fire Chiefs. Several meetings throughout the municipality with residents over various issues. More later Thank you Murray 902 664 9881 See more

I want to thank everyone who took the time to wish me a happy birthday It was truly appreciated Thank you Murray

Happy New Year to everyone, I want to remind everyone the municipality is advertising for citizen appointments to boards and committees. The information is on the Municipality of Cumberland's website. We need and want your assistance and advice. Some committees relate to policing, audit and financial sustainability, and the energy authority. There are several others as well. We are working hard to develop a better communication strategy so you the residents will have an under...standing of what we are doing on your behalf. We met this week regarding the broadband(high speed internet) service as it continues to roll out. Watch for more information on this much needed project. We are also working on our strategic plan for Cumberland county. This will define our council and where we want to go over the next 4 years. Great to see the sign up for the new elementary school. Thanks to the Ministers of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal and Education. Also to Deputy Minister Paul LaFleche for his assistance and their staff. It is much appreciated by our community. I continue to respond to phone calls, emails and texts on your issues. We have again contacted the Federal government to request further financial assistance regarding the Parrsboro sewer project which the government mandated needed to be completed. Meeting with you is difficult during this time however as soon as we are permitted our entire council is committed to traveling throughout the county to the communities where you live so you will have an opportunity to hear our thoughts and plans and to question us on issues you are facing. We look forward to the future and seeing you. Watch on line next week, the 13th of January for our council meeting, many issues for council to decide. Any issues please call me at 902_664_9881 Thank you Murray

Hi everyone As we leave behind another year we look forward to 2021 with hope and optimism. I am encouraged by your words and deeds of kindness to each other. If anything the deadly virus has brought us closer together, not divided us. The council you have elected is committed to working hard on your behalf, but we need your advice, support and encouragement. As we go forward and look to the future I ask that when we make decisions you take the time to ask why and what are... the benefits to the taxpayers. We need to ensure hard earned taxes are spent wisely and with full consideration of the impacts. We will work with our MP, MLAs, and other councils in this area of Nova Scotia to be successful. We cannot solve all our problems but we must remain accountable to you and that is our promise to you. Happy New Year to all, Thank you Murray See more

Merry Christmas to everyone and all the best in 2021 Thank you Linda and Murray

Week in Mayor's office Met in Parrsboro with citizens re sewer project and charges, attempting to find help for low income and seniors on fixed income Contacted Federal government in an attempt to request additional funding for Parrsboro sewer project Met CSC zoom First meeting of communication committee for the municipality looking forward to better communication between the council, staff and citizens ... Housing meeting re: Federal programs and possibilities in CumberlandCounty Met with several business leaders in Cumberland County looking at opportunities Monthly council meeting dealing with rezoning issues, wind turbine presentation, affordable housing, community hall funding requests. Media interviews re local issues and Christmas messages in Pugwash and Parrsboro Nazarene church Oxford for Christmas event. Took part in preparation of Christmas dinner for youth group in Springhill We would encourage all citizens to look at the opportunities for citizen engagement on many committees within the county. These are advertised on the web site or you can speak to a Councillor as to how you may assist. We need and want your help. We want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Murray See more