Municipal Council Approves Changes to Payments

INVERNESS COUNTY, NS – The Municipality of the County of Inverness Council approved a series of motions at the April 9, 2020 Regular Council meeting that will assist in alleviating the financial burden on the businesses and residents of Inverness County. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have been significantly impacted by the loss of revenues, and residents may be facing lay-offs and loss of income. The motions resulted in the following changes:

1. Interest will not be applied to overdue property tax accounts for the months of March, April and May 2020. All interest applied prior to these dates will remain on overdue property tax accounts.
2. Interest will not be applied to overdue water utility accounts for the months of March, April and May 2020. Any interest previously applied to overdue accounts will remain on the water utility accounts.
3. The water utility bills to be mailed out in April 2020 for the billing period of January 1^st to March 31^st, 2020 will have an extended due date of an additional thirty (30) days.

“The Municipality understands that some people are facing extra challenges during this time,” said Betty Ann MacQuarrie, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Inverness. “Municipal Council and staff hope that this can relieve some worries residents may have.”

To pay tax or water bills, residents can call 902-787-2274 or email whitney.macdonald@invernesscounty.ca.

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Municipality Awards Inverness Wastewater Treatment Plant System Assessment Report and Pre-Design Study

INVERNESS, NS — The Municipality of the County of Inverness has awarded the tender for the Inverness Wastewater Treatment Plant, System Assessment Report and Pre-Design Study to R.V. Anderson Associates Limited. The Request for Proposals sought out certified engineering services to complete a full system assessment, environmental risk assessment, as well as complete a pre-design study that includes noise and odour control and increased wastewater treatment capacity.

R.V. Anderson Associates Limited has been engaged in the provision of professional engineering, architecture, operations, and management services since 1948. They have offices in Moncton, Fredericton, London and Toronto and have been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. For the purposes of this work R.V. Anderson Associates Limited is partnering with Meco Engineering, based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.  Together their commitment to health and safety as well as their vast experience and leadership in wastewater infrastructure projects will ensure that a future wastewater treatment plant in the community of Inverness will meet the current needs of the community while also allowing for continued commercial and residential growth.

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Municipality to Postpone Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Municipality of the County of Inverness will be postponing the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner until further notice. The evening celebrating some of the County’s dedicated volunteers was originally scheduled to take place May 13th, 2020 and will instead be rescheduled to a date to be announced at a later time.

The deadline for nominating a deserving volunteer to be recognized is April 24th, 2020. To nominate someone or for any questions, please contact Lisa Organ at 902-787-3507 or lisa.organ@invernesscounty.ca.

Green For Life to Begin Solid Waste Collection

As of April 1st 2020, curbside solid waste and recycling collection in the Municipality of the County of Inverness will be performed by Green for Life Environmental (GFL).

Residents will not see a change in pickup schedule at this time with all routes being maintained by GFL. Any schedule changes that may occur in the future will be announced in advance.

Municipal staff completed a detailed review of the request for proposal that was submitted by GFL in the Spring of 2019 and GFL was subsequently awarded the contract by the Municipality. GFL is a North American leader in solid waste management and other environmental services. The company is known for their commitment to safety, customer service and cost-effective solutions. Along with their 8 regional offices in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, GFL has a bilingual community concerns line, will follow and enforce any Municipal by-laws, and has in-house maintenance capabilities.

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À partir du 1er avril 2020, la collecte des déchets solides et du recyclage dans la Municipalité du comté d’Inverness sera assurée par Green for Life Environmental (GFL).

Les résidents ne verront pas de changement dans l’horaire de collecte pour le moment, tous les itinéraires étant maintenus par GFL. Tout changement d’horaire qui pourrait survenir à l’avenir sera annoncé à l’avance.

Le personnel municipal a effectué un examen détaillé de la demande de proposition qui a été soumise par GFL au printemps 2019 et GFL s’est vu attribuer le contrat par la Municipalité par la suite. GFL est un leader nord-américain dans la gestion des déchets solides et d’autres services environnementaux. L’entreprise est connue pour son engagement en matière de sécurité, de service à la clientèle et de solutions rentables. Avec ses huit bureaux régionaux en Nouvelle-Écosse et au Nouveau-Brunswick, GFL dispose d’une ligne téléphonique bilingue pour les préoccupations de la communauté, suivra et appliquera tous les règlements municipaux et dispose de capacités de maintenance internes.

Municipal Recycling Facility to Close Temporarily

In response to COVID-19 concerns and to help protect the health and safety of staff, the Municipality of the County of Inverness has temporarily closed the Strathlorne Recycling Facility. This temporary closure will be effective as of March 25, 2020 at 4:00pm through to April 1, 2020. An operational update on the Strathlorne Recycling Facility will be provided to the public before the end of the day on April 1, 2020.

There will therefore be no curbside recycling pickup (blue bags) on all routes starting on March 26 until April 1st.

Municipality of the County of Inverness Releases COVID-19 Information Packages

INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. – The Municipality of the County of Inverness has developed a COVID-19 information package for residents as part of the Municipality’s overall Pandemic Response Plan.

“The handout sums up many important issues related to COVID-19,” said the Municipality’s CAO Keith MacDonald. “It will give our residents a resource to use if they have questions or need to contact someone at the local or provincial level about their particular situation.”

The package contains a variety of information related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including government contact information, best practices for hygiene and recommendations on caring for individuals who may have contracted the virus.

The information package is available at various grocery stores and services stations across the County, as well as on the Municipality’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage, which also provides additional news and resources related to the pandemic.

Residents and media are encouraged to contact CAO Keith MacDonald at 902-258-5999 for further information and clarification about the information packages.

Municipality of the County of Inverness Enacts Pandemic Response Plan

INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. – Municipality of the County of Inverness Council continues to take significant steps to address the COVID-19 outbreak. To this end, Council has enacted the Municipality of the County of Inverness Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Plan. The plan will now guide Council and staff in the continued safe operation of local municipal government services and the ongoing health and safety of staff, local business, community organizations and residents.

Key elements of the plan include, but aren’t limited to:

• The Port Hood Administrative Building and the Infrastructure & Emergency Services Facility are now closed to the public.
• The Kenloch Transfer Station will be closed to the public as of Wednesday, March 25th.
• All recreation and cultural programs offered through the Municipality will be cancelled and rescheduled, if possible.
• Foyer Père Fiset, Inverary Manor, Port Hood Small Options and Koster Huis are closed to visitors.
• All ‘Non-Essential’ municipal government meetings are cancelled, and staff will be working from home when possible.

“We’re continuing to work closely with provincial and local public health officials,” said Warden Betty Ann MacQuarrie. “Our priority is to keep local government, including Inverness County Homes Corporation operations, functioning in a safe and responsible manner. The enactment of the Pandemic Plan will guide our decisions as we go forward.”

Inverness County residents can find the most accurate and current Nova Scotia Provincial Government COVID-19 information www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus. Residents should follow hygiene and social distancing guidelines as outlined by the Nova Scotia Health Authority including:

• Stay home unless you absolutely must go out for supplies.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and don’t touch your face.
• Stay 6 feet or 2 metres away from others, wherever possible.

Residents and media are encouraged to contact CAO Keith MacDonald at 902-258-5999 for further information and clarification about the Pandemic Plan.

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SAT Service Suspended Until Further Notice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19^th, 2020

Following the lead of Province of Nova Scotia and Government of Canada officials, Strait Area Transit and Victoria County Transit will be suspending services until further notice, effective at the end of the business day of March 20^th, 2020.

The safety of staff and clients are paramount at this time and although this may cause some inconvenience, the board of directors and executive director feel this is a necessary measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

For any questions, clients can contact Chairperson John Dowling at john.dowling@invernesscounty.ca.

Strait Area Transit is a non-profit community-based transit system which has serviced the Strait region since 2007. This is a safe, reliable and affordable option aimed at improving the quality of life for all residents of the Strait Area (Inverness County, Richmond County and the Town of Port Hawkesbury).

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Strait Area Transit

32 Paint St

Port Hawkesbury, NS  B9A 3J8

www.satbus.ca

info@satbus.ca

902-625-1475

Municipal Covid-19 Response and Precautionary Measures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16^th, 2020

COVID-19 Response and Precautionary Measures

INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. – Following the lead of the Province of Nova Scotia and Government of Canada, as of tomorrow, March 17^th 2020, the Municipality of the County of Inverness will be closing some facilities to the public. These facilities include the administrative office in Port Hood, the public drop off area at the Recycling Facility as well as the Infrastructure & Emergency Services Building in Strathlorne until further notice.

Residents looking to make payments on water or tax bills can do so via online payment or by mail until the administrative office reopens. For any questions, Municipal staff will be available to contact through phone and email.

More public health measures may yet be taken by the Municipality, but emergency and essential services will continue.

As per public health officials, if you develop a fever with a temperature of 38° C or higher or a cough, call 8-1-1 for assessment immediately. Do not go to a health clinic, emergency room or COVID-19 assessment centre unless 8-1-1 has referred you.

Inverness County resident can find the most accurate information at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/. Residents should follow hygiene and social distancing guidelines as outlined by the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

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Municipality Posts Inverness Wastewater Treatment Plant RFP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7^th, 2020

INVERNESS, NS – The Municipality of the County of Inverness has posted a Request for Proposals for the Inverness Wastewater Treatment Plant System Assessment Report and Pre-design Study. The request invites proposals for engineering services to complete a full system assessment, an environmental risk assessment, and a pre-design study that would include noise and odour control as well as increase wastewater treatment capacity.

The Request for Proposals in its totality can be found on the Province of Nova Scotia’s Procurement Office website. The deadline for proposals is February 13^th, 2020.

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