Residents' News
Bulk Container Program Schedule
April 23, 2013
Once again it is time time for the Municipality-wide spring collection of bulk and hazardous household waste. Collection will take place in twenty communities throughout MODG the entire month of May. Please click the following link to view the schedule and find out where the drop off locations will be located in a community near you!
This is a great program which eliminates the need for residents to transport waste to the Waste Facility and keeps our Municipality clean!
Bulk Container Schedule.pdf
February is African Heritage Month
February 1, 2013
February will be a busy month full of events to celebrate African Heritage Month in the Municipality. There will be plenty of events taking place in Sunnyville, Lincolnville and Upper Big Tracadie for all ages. Such activities as Candlelight Memorials, potlucks, recreational activities, jewelry making etc.
See the full list of events by clicking the link to the complete calendar. AHM CAl 2013.pdf
Also visit the provincial African Nova Scotian website to learn more! http://ansa.novascotia.ca/africanheritage
January 29, 2013
Media Update
MODG's efforts to ensure that sustainable, renewable energy becomes a reality in the Municipality, by way of the proposed 13.8 megawatt Sable Wind project in the Canso/Hazel Hill area, was recently featured in an article in the Chronicle Herald.
Click the following link to read the entire article.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/heraldmagazine/548205-success-in-the-air
Goldboro LNG Project Makes BNN
November 28, 2012
On October 24, 2012 at a press conference in Goldboro, Pieridae Energy Canada President, Alfred Sorensen, announced its intention to develop a liquefied natural gas export facility at Goldboro. The facility will provide an east coast export terminal to supply both the European and Indian markets.
Mr. Sorensen was interviewed by national network, BNN (Business News Network) on November 28, 2012.
Watch the interview by clicking the following link.
http://watch.bnn.ca/commodities/november-2012/commodities-november-28-2012/#clip815603
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Future Meeting Times/Dates
Please be advised that effective immediately all future Council and Committee meetings have been moved from 7:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. until further notice.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2012
Warden Hines' Awarded Diamond Jubilee Medal
On Wednesday, September 19th, Warden Lloyd Hines was presented with the prestigious Diamond Jubilee Medal at the Fall UNSM Conference Opening Ceremonies in Halifax. Warden Hines was nominated for the honor by MODG Council earlier this year.
The medal marks the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth 2nd's tenure on the throne and recognizes Canadians who have made significant contributions to all levels of government.
"Our entire Council felt that Warden Hines' 24 years service on Municipal Council and 3 years of service as an elected school board member made him a well deserving recipient of this award. Lloyd has been a dedicated servant to our Municipality and has helped establish the Municipality of the District of Guysborough as a leader in municipal governance in the Province of Nova Scotia" states Deputy Warden Vernon Pitts, “Additionally he helped advance the goals of our Municipality at both the Provincial and National levels, and continues with that work today, something our entire community is thankful for!”
In accepting the award, Warden Hines acknowledged the residents of MODG for their long time support, his fellow Councillors, MODG staff, the UNSM, and most importantly his wife Patricia and their four children for their support over the years.
For further information contact:
Mr. Vernon Pitts
Deputy Warden
(902) 533-3597
Mr. Barry Carroll, CAO
(902) 533-3705, Ext. 228
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2012
Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MoDG) Congratulates Authentic Seacoast Company
Today, at a news conference held at the Rare Bird Pub, Authentic Seacoast Company, owned by Mr. Glynn Williams presented his plans to add a new business – Authentic Seacoast Distilling Company – to their rapidly expanding local investment portfolio.
The MoDG congratulates Authentic Seacoast Company for their continued support in growing the local economy and the Province of Nova Scotia for their $1.19 million dollar commitment in support of the development.
“The District of Guysborough appreciates the significant commitment that Authentic Seacoast Company have made to date and their latest commitment for the development of a distillery operation, states Warden Lloyd Hines, “We have been pleased to work with Glynn Williams and his team and look forward to working with him to grow the local economy and provide meaningful employment.”
The $2.7 million dollar project is expected to create approximately 30 jobs, and will complement Authentic Seacoast Company’s other Guysborough businesses, including Desbarres Manor Inn, the Rare Bird Pub and Eatery, Osprey Shore Golf Resort, Authentic Seacoast Brewery, Harbour Belle Bakery and Full Steam Coffee Company.
“The investment made today by Authentic Seacoast Company and the support provided by the Province of Nova Scotia sends a clear signal that our communities embrace opportunities and we are poised for growth in the days to come”, continues Hines, “we expect to have more good news in the coming months”.
For further information contact:
Warden Lloyd Hines
(902) 870-0353
Mr. Barry Carroll, CAO
(902) 533-3705, Ext. 228
April 20, 2012
The Municipality of the District of Guysborough was pleased today to wish Everett and Muriel Guthro of Manchester, Guysborough County a happy retirement. At a special luncheon celebration held today at the Guysborough County Waste Management Facility Muriel and Everett were recognized for over their many years of dedicated service to the Municipality. Mr. & Mrs. Guthro took great pride in their work and showed a commitment to the Municipality and its residents that goes well beyond what was required. On May 16th at the Public Municipal Council Session, Council will officially recognize Everett and Muriel for their long standing dedication to the residents of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough.
April 16, 2012
Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MoDG) Welcomes Comfit Approvals
Today, at a news conference held at the MODG’s Municipal Offices, Minister Charlie Parker announced the approval that will allow MODG to purchase, install, and operate four 50 kwh wind turbines under the NS Comfit Program.
“The District of Guysborough has some of the best wind resource available in the Province”, states Warden Lloyd Hines, “As such, it makes perfect sense that we invest in the resource and with this project, the Municipality will reap a very reasonable return on its’ investment.”
MODG has entered into a contract with Seaforth Energy Ltd. for the supply and installation of the wind turbines. MODG will be purchasing the turbines out of its own financial reserves and as such, there will be no debt financing associated with the project.
The Municipality recently amended its’ Municipal Planning Strategy and Development Regulations to allow the installation of wind turbines in most all areas of the Municipality.
“We now have some of the friendliest wind regulations in the Country’’, continues Hines, “We’re open for business when it comes to wind development and we want prospective investors to know that coupled with a good wind regime, there is an open-minded welcoming Municipality to back it up.”
MODG will be installing the four wind turbines during the summer months, and it is expected that they will be on line by this fall.
For further information contact:
Warden Lloyd Hines
(902) 870-0353
Mr. Barry Carroll, CAO
(902) 533-3705, Ext. 228
February 1, 2012
Municipality of the District of Guysborough Launches Blog /Twitter Feeds
Today, the Municipality launched a new blog on its website, www.modg.ca. The Warden and CAO will be twittering in feeds to the blog that are factually based. The intention is to keep residents and visitors to the site up to date in a timely fashion on matters being dealt with by the Municipality. Warden Lloyd Hines will have a twitter address of @modgwarden and CAO Barry Carroll will have a twitter address of @modgcao.
“Our website has evolved into an excellent communication tool for our Municipality” says Warden Hines. “Since creating our new website, the traffic has almost tripled, and, in addition, our Facebook page has more than 900 followers.”
As one of its strategic goals, the MODG Council is committed to keeping our residents, our visitors, members of the media, and all of our friends around the world up to date on MODG happenings.
“Social Media and the full use of web based technologies are evolving at a rapid pace” continues Hines. “We’re doing our best to utilize all of the tools at our disposal, with the sole objective of keeping people informed.”
More information is available by contacting Lloyd Hines, Warden at 870-0353 and Barry Carroll, CAO at 533-3705.
Municipality of the District of Guysborough Responds to NS Utility & Review Board’s Decision on Canso Dissolution Application
The Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG), other interested parties and the public were advised today of the Nova Scotia Utility & Review Board’s (NSUARB) decision in response to the Town of Canso’s Application to the Board for Dissolution of Town status.
The Town of Canso applied to the UARB for Dissolution in September 2010 and a Preliminary Hearing was held in the fall of 2010, which resulted in numerous financial and infrastructure related studies being completed during the spring and summer of 2011. The Municipality, the Town and the Province worked diligently to formulate a cooperative agreement relating to finances, governance and future operation of services in the Town of Canso. These agreements, which were developed in the best interest of the residents of Canso and the entire Municipality were formally presented to the UARB at a Hearing held in Canso on December 5, 2011.
The decision rendered by the UARB today is an “Order” that Canso Town status be dissolved effective July 1, 2012. As a result of this Order, Canso will no longer be chartered under the Municipal Government Act as a “Town” and therefore will revert to being a community of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough. This UARB Order also results in Canso becoming an eight municipal district in the MODG governance structure.
Warden Lloyd Hines stated “This UARB decision is good news for residents of both Canso and MODG and in fact the entire Province as the uncertainty over the past few years has been difficult for all.” Warden Hines continued “The UARB, the Province, the Town and Guysborough Municipal Council are to be commended for the level of effort and cooperation that has resulted in this Board decision.”
MODG will now proceed with an integration plan to assume operation of all municipal services in the Town of Canso commencing July 1, 2012. The Municipality will strive to assume the responsibility for the provision of municipal services in Canso with as little impact to residents as possible.
Warden Hines praised Canso Town Council, Town Staff and Canso residents for their proactive involvement in the very difficult dissolution process. “On behalf of the residents and Council of MODG, I am honoured to welcome the great historic fishing community of Canso to join our large family of communities in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough. Together we are stronger.” Hines concluded.
To view a copy of the UARB's decision, please click here: Canso Decision - January 19, 2012.pdf
To view a copy of the UARb's order, please click here: Canso Order - January 19 2012.pdf
December 15, 2011
Municipality of the District of Guysborough Signs Contract with Seaforth Energy Inc.
The Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) announced today the signing of a contract with Seaforth Energy Inc. for the supply, installation and commissioning of up to five (5) AOC 15/50 (50kw) wind turbines. The Municipality is in the process of submitting applications under the NS ComFIT Program, which would see up to three turbines sited on the Melford Industrial Lands and two turbines sited in the Goldboro Industrial Park. The contract is valued at more than $1.5 M should the Province approve the five applications from MODG.
“When we first heard the announcement about the introduction of the NS ComFIT Program, we thought it was a great opportunity for our Municipality to play a role in helping the Province reach the 25% renewable energy goal by 2015” states Warden Lloyd Hines. “It’s also a sound investment opportunity for us and fits nicely with the objectives in our Municipal Planning Strategy and our Strategic Plan.”
The Province of Nova Scotia enacted renewable energy legislation in October of 2010 that will lead to an increase in the amount of renewable electricity produced in Nova Scotia by 2015. Subsequent to this, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board set rates that would be applicable for energy generated in the (<) 50kw category. Before proceeding with the project, MODG requires Ministerial approval and MODG is in the process of receiving approval through the application process.
The chosen contractor, Seaforth Energy, Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers of commercial grade wind turbines with its AOC-15/50 and sister EW-50 turbines, having the most operating hours and longest standing active 50kW fleet in the world. "Seaforth Energy is proud to have been selected by a progressive jurisdiction, right in our own backyard, such as MODG," said Craig Whitman, General Manager. "Independent testing has
verified the market-leading performance and durability of the AOC-15/50, which we manufacture right here in Nova Scotia."
For more information, please contact Warden Lloyd Hines at (902) 870-0353 or Barry Carroll, CAO at (902) 533-3705 on behalf of MODG; and Mr. Craig Whitman (902) 471-7980 on behalf of Seaforth Energy Inc.