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