Hammonds Plains community center/fire hall

Thursday September 23^rd 2010 at 8pm

Members present: Paulette Upshall, Bobby O’Keefe, Michele Boone, Ron Jefferson, Gary Russell, Karen Fraser, and Isabel Wynn.

Welcome:  Paulette Upshall welcomed everyone at 8:10 and called the meeting to order.  There were 16 people present.  The same number as last year!   Peter Lund our Municipal Councillor was also present.

Review past minutes:  Minutes from the AGM in 2009 were reviewed.  They were approved by Sara Graven and seconded by Ron Jefferson.

Social update:  This year the social position was vacant and there were no social events.  There was a yard sale organized by Wendy Doane.

Education: Bobby gave an update about the new high school.  The site has been confirmed and is up the Rim building.  The tender has gone out for a 2013 opening.  It may also be a community center.  The boundaries may change for this school.

Water: Ron said there is nothing new information for phase 3 of the water installation.  Peter Lund reported that HRM council is waiting for a report to come back, so they can plan out water service improvements for the next 5 years.  They are looking for problem areas.  There is a problem with the old sewer lines in the city.  They will need to be replaced and it will cost Billions of dollars.  There is talk about water rates going up as much as 40%.  There is concern that they may be trying to recoup some of the sewer replacement cost through a water hike.  Peter said this needs to be clarified.  Peter will follow up with this.

Financial report:  Karen read the financial report.  We have $37,014.92.  The only expenses this year were for rental of the halls for our recreation meeting, our AGM, bank costs, web site costs and the sign clean up and landscaping.  Next spring we should have about $55,264.92.  Motion to approve, by Karen Fraser. Approved by Paulette Upshall and seconded by Isabel Wynn.

Ratepayers: The current rate is $50 to be collected from every lot in the subdivision.  Motion to continue the rate of $50 was made by Ron Jefferson.  It was approved by Karen Fraser and seconded by Gary Russell.  Motion approved.  None opposed.

Web site:  We need a new caretaker and we found a new volunteer.

Sign:  To advertise our community events.  It is available for use to Maplewood.

Felix Pettigrew had some complaints about the Recreation meeting in January.  He felt that the advertising was not sufficient. It was explained that 2 community emails went out and the mic mac sign, the fire hall sign and kynock’s sign were all used.  What more can you do to let people know.

Gary Russell talked about some of the issues he has been working on.  New sidewalks, with a possible cost of $1500 per home.  The lighting is already being improved on the Hammonds plains road.  The speed limit has been reduced by the Yankeetown road. There are other areas that some people would like the speed reduced, but there is not total agreement by all communities.

Peter Lund said the traffic authority is looking at the cross walk at the intersection of pockwock and the Hammond’s Plains road.  This is a very poorly planned intersection.  It is dangerous.  Is a sidewalk needed to keep pedestrians safe?

Elections:

President: Paulette Upshall

Vice President: Gary Russell

Secretary: Michele Boone

Treasurer/Ratepayers: Dan Northquest

Member at large: Isabel Wynn

Water: Ron Jefferson

Recreation: Jackie and Andy Wilcox

Education: Vacant

Sign and Advertising: Sara Graven

Social:  Angie Garnier?

Website/newsletter: Leanne Beddow

Government/HP community council: Vince Garnier

Youth representative: Abigail Fraser and Katie Morrison

Peter Lund our councillor discussed issues relevant to our community.  The new 4 pad rink on the Hammonds Plains road should be open for business early November.  The problem with this project is that the Feds were going to pay for 1/3 of the project and then they backed out.  It was too late to turn back on the project.  The new high school will be in this area also and they are looking at an artificial turf for the athletic field.  They are looking for volunteers for the 2011 Canada games here next year.  Halifax would like to have 5000 volunteers.  Peter himself is one of the volunteers.  The new Margesen Drive is going to be a controlled access road.  It will start by the new over pass off the 101 highways and come out on to the Lucasville road around the power line road.  It is to help with the traffic and will be able to get on it from Glen arbour and water stone.  There is still a piece of property that they need to acquire and at this point the owner is not interested in selling.  This should be completed in 3 or 4 years.  He discussed buses and transportation and many issues with them.  There is a shortfall in the budget of $33,000,000.  They only increased taxes 1.8-2.1%.  It would have had to be a 6% increase to our taxes to pay for the shortfall in the budget.

The new Greater Hammonds Plains community’s council was discussed.  It will bring more weight when we have an important issue we would like to be brought forward from the area.  A motion was put forward to continue with the committee and to pay the $100 to get the group started.  Approved by Leanne Beddow, seconded by Isabel Wynn.  Motion approved none opposed.

Neighbourhood watch/Citizens on Patrol:  Paulette would like to get this going in our area.  There have been several break ins in Glen Arbour lately.  There are 18 active Citizens on patrol in our area.

Beaver Lake Park:  This is our newest area to be turned into our park.  The voting took place in January.  Paulette reviewed the plans for the new park.  We have all new ideas for this new development.  We are looking at using Green gym equipment.  It would service older children to adults.

Motion made by Karen Fraser to move forward with the Beaver lake park at $100,000.  Approved by Ron Jefferson and seconded by Michele Boone.  Motion approved.  1 Opposed and 1 abstained.

Close:  Motion made by Karen Fraser to adjourn the meeting, Seconded by Gary Russell.  Meeting adjourned at 10:25.  Minutes taken by Michele Boone.

In response to a growing number of complaints regarding safety concerns along the Hammonds Plains Road from Kingswood to Westwood there will be a panel of representatives from HRM Traffic Authority, Metro Transit, HRM Planning and RCMP fielding questions and listening to our concerns. This is also an opportunity to comment on our transit service and ask HRM Planning about future development in our area and how it will affect Hammonds Plains Road, given that it has already exceeded a safe level of traffic loading. A rare opportunity has finally presented itself and public participation is strongly encouraged. Input from the younger generation is also extremely important, as Hammonds Plains residents will want to have bus access to the new 4 pad development in Bedford, as well as the proposed performing arts and cultural centre in Cobequid.

BACKGROUND FROM WHITE HILLS, MAPLEWOOD, GLEN ARBOUR MTG

Maplewood, white hills, and glen arbour had a meeting together – our major concern is the area from pockwock to just pass the glen arbour entrance – we want this area down to 50 km/hr and for it to have a “community” feel

BACKGROUND INFO FROM HIGHLAND PARK

Peter Lund’s secretary is organizing the large public meeting and is waiting to hear back from all parties regarding availability, but it looks like it will be in another 3 -4 weeks from now.
 
In the meantime I have managed to pressure the mayor into getting me a meeting with Ken Reashor from Traffic and Pat Soanes from Metro Transit on March 3 – just those folks, Lund, MLA Mat W and me. I have a lot of research and information to take with me to the meeting. The main reason for the meeting is to address the section of HPR between Pockwock and Westwood Blvd, so I’d be happy to bring up anything anyone has thoughts or concerns on regarding this section of road.  I will also bring up other areas of concern along HPR to Kingswood if anyone has anything to add.  I have been doing research regarding the whole length of the stretch from Westwood to Kingswood.
 
I need your input regarding Pockwock/HPR concerns, as well as any others with regards to the section of HPR between Pockwock and Kingswood,as I want to raise those issues when I meet with them too.

From what I can tell from this area, speed limit of 70km is outrageous given the amount of visual stuff there is going on up there and blind corner coming from my end of HPR turning the corner and coming up on the gas station, Bailey’s, school, strip mall, frie station etc., etc  Apparently there was a fatality several years ago, a woman was pulling into gas station and got hit badly as she did – died in hospital.
 
Traffic in the past refused to lower the speed limit here as there is a school zone which means of course that motorists must go 50km when children are present…but what about the other times and let’s face it – how many people actually even bother going 50km when kids are playing in the school ground?
 
Other things observed at this intersection are cars pulling around buses when they have stopped to pick up passengers…cars are taking a risk by doing this. Any other observations are welcomed.
 
Any other items or comments you would like me to add/investigate?
 
Point of interest – Lucasville Road doesn’t have the volume of vehicles per day as we do, has a lower speed limit, not as many business driveways abutting the main road, no bus stops, but it has street lights on EVERY power pole along that stretch of road, unlike ours, which has – at best – one on every other power pole.  In wintertime with lack of adequate street lighting, narrow road, crests and speed of 70km..we think it could be better.
 
I have not been able to find ONE other road in HRM which has people waiting for buses along it with speed limit of 80km posted, let alone 90km – that has no street lights (am referring to HPR between Pockwock and Tantallon).  The maximum speed limit I have seen where people wait for buses are in 70km speed limits, but these people have street lights and can be seen by motorists as they walk to the bus stop and wait.  HRM has just under $315,000 unspent in their street lighting budget.  They can use that towards servicing us out here.  Why should we be paying the same taxes and not getting the same primary level 2 services?  Not acceptable.  We just want what every other community in HRM has.
 
Anyway – sorry for the rant, just wanted to share some thoughts.
 
Let me know if there is anything else regarding concerns to raise with Traffic etc.

Good afternoon,
 
I invite you to help shape the future of our province. The Minister of Finance is holding public meetings in 16 communities across Nova Scotia to discuss how to get the province’s finances back to balance. I am very pleased that Minister Graham Steele will be in the area on Thursday, February 25 , 7:00-9:00 p.m.  Shining Waters Marine, 148 Nautical Way (Google maps link at the bottom of the email)

This facilitated dialogue will focus on getting your input on four main questions:
 
1.   What should the government do to increase revenues and reduce spending?
2.   What changes should be made to programs and services? Are there things government
      should do better, stop doing or do more of?
3.  What investments should be made today that will help to grow the economy in the long-term?
4.   How soon should government bring Nova Scotia’s finances back to balance?
 
If you are able to attend and have internet access, you may want to review the Back to Balance guide available in several formats at http://gov.ns.ca/finance/backtobalance. This document will also be available for all participants at the session.
 
Your input is important to me and the people of Hammonds Plains – Upper Sackville. Please do not hesitate to contact our office. All the best.

Mat
–
Mat Whynott, MLA
Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville
1651 Sackville Drive
Middle Sackville, NS    B4E 3A9
p: 864-5310    f:864-8681
mat.mla@ns.sympatico.ca

Google Maps link: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Shining+Waters+Marine,+148+Nautical+Way&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=34.976756,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=Shining+Waters+Marine,+148+Nautical+Way&hnear=&ll=44.673292,-63.858204&spn=0.075075,0.181789&z=13&iwloc=A

With our newest park, Salty dips being opened in September 2008, we will be getting a second sign to keep even more people informed.  The back of the sign is a bulletin board and is free for residents to use.  You are able to put up a notice about babysitting, lawn mowing, cake making, etc.  Also if you are running a business and live in Maplewood you can submit a business card to go on the back.  It is suggested that your submissions be laminated so sign remains readable despite the elements!

If you would like to put up a notice on the board please email Michele Boone at mmboone@eastlink.ca.