By Maurice Rees

Colchester’s infamous "noise" by renamed "Neighbour Nuisance" By-law came back to council for first reading. Devin Trefry, who has been charged with the by-law’s development brought the revised version back to council on June 24th. Noise and nuisance have been a subject of many hours of discussion at the council level. The matter started to come more prominent nearly two years ago, when residents complained again about noises from a Moto-Cross facility in Nutby Mountain area.

After several attempts earlier in the spring, a version of the noise by-law was presented to council, but it was "muted" and sent back for major revisions. Council determined an overall by-law was not enforceable, so focus was changed to "Neighbour Nuisance", which has a focus on local fireworks, and excessive noise within the municipality, primarily in sub-divisions or higher population density areas. Council is using its power to enact a by-law to prevent the unreasonable interference with the enjoyment of property.

At the Council Committee meeting on June 10, 2021, staff presented a draft Neighbourhood
Nuisance By-law to help address complaints of noise and other reported nuisance activity
throughout the Municipality.

Following the June 10th preparation staff shared the draft By-law with RCMP Staff Sgt. Curtis MacKinnon and he expressed concern that the proposed exemptions for Recreation Activity in particular, may be too broad. Hearing his concern, staff consulted with the Municipal Solicitor and it was recommended that a definition for "appropriate" be added to specify that the exemptions would be required to be "reasonable in the circumstances taking into account the intensity, frequency, duration and timing of the activity."

Staff then shared the revision with Staff Sgt. MacKinnon and he was satisfied that it addressed his concern.

In the First Reading version presented to council on June 24th, the proposed by-law sets out the prohibitions as follows: "No person shall engage in activity that by frequency or intensity unreasonably interferes with the enjoyment of the neighbourhood, including but not limited to any one or more resident".
There are four fixed exemptions within the by-law. This By-Law does not apply to

1. Disturbances that may result from a response to an emergency.
2. Businesses operating lawfully and in a manner that is appropriate to the nature of the business enterprise.
3. Recreation activity carried out lawfully and in a manner that is appropriate to the nature of the activity.
4. Community events carried out lawfully and in a manner that is appropriate to the nature of the event.

For those who are charged under the by-law once it is enacted, the following will apply: Any person who violates any of the provisions of this By-law may be guilty of an offence and may, on summary conviction, be liable for:

1. for the first offence to a penalty of not less than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) and of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or imprisonment for a period of not more than one year or both, including the imposition of the minimum fine;
2. (b) for the second offence to a penalty of not less than Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) and of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or imprisonment for a period of not more than one year or both, including the imposition of a minimum fine;
3. (c) for the third offence or any subsequent offence to a penalty of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or imprisonment for a period of not more than one year or both, including the imposition of a minimum fine.

Once discussion on the revisions ended, council moved to pass to second reading, which is where detailed discussion can be held.

By Maurice Rees

The ongoing problem of highway litter was back before Colchester Council on June 24th when Darlyene Proctor’s authored action item was up for discussion. Her report detailed staff’s investigation to addressing the litter issue at interchanges in Colchester County, as per the directive of Council.

In earlier discussions the Municipality of Colchester expressed concern over the amount of litter that is found in the natural environment of Colchester County. In part staff discovered the neighbouring Municipality of East Hants has launched a pilot project where the Municipality has adopted five of the 100 series exit ramps into their community.

To promote the clean up of the exit ramps in East Hants, $500 would be given to the community group that signs up for the task. Colchester Council requested that a similar program be investigated for potential implementation in Colchester County.

Litter has become a noticeable problem in Nova Scotia. Its most visible effects are impacts to the beauty of the province’s natural landscapes, and cityscapes. However, it can also affect industries such as tourism and agriculture, impact public health and safety, and cause harm to wildlife.

Besides its negative aesthetic impact, litter also can have negative consequences for public health, the economy, and our environment. While many positive changes have been made, it appears that greater action needs to be taken to combat the problem of litter. Even though a 2008 Litter Survey, by Nova Scotia Environment and Nova Scotia Environmental Youth Core was done over 13 years ago, the same conversation exists in 2021. It has been a constant plight in communities. Waste Reduction Staff and Councils are continuously seeking ways to address the litter issue.

Colchester County has active volunteers and group(s) fighting against litter because they feel it is the right thing to do. Staff and council would like to keep them motivated against this uphill battle and to also encourage others to join the war.

In the Municipality of Colchester rhe Waste Reduction Department has a budget in 2021/22 of $57,000 to go towards litter clean up, derelict vehicle removal and illegal dump clean ups. Seventy percent of the budget is allocated towards salaries of students and supervisor. Prior to CoVid, two summer students were hired to assist with these programs. Proctor’s submission stated a portion of the salaries this year will be to hire the Colchester Workshop to assist with litter pick up around the Solid Waste site in Kemptown.

Here is some data from past students’ roadside collection: 2016 – 44 kms of roadside was cleaned up removing 3,270 Kgs of garbage; 2017 – 45 kms of roadside was cleaned up removing 6,280 kgs of garbage, recyclables, tires and in 2018 – 22 kms of roadside was cleaned up removing 6,150 kgs of garbage and recyclables.

In staff’s investigation and recommendations the roadsides identified for clean up were in high traffic tourism areas, from public complaints as well as the 5 km radius of the Municipal Solid Waste Facilities in Kemptown. Staff expects summer students would be hired next year to continue this type of work.

On Earth Day, April 22, a One Bag Challenge was promoted on the Colchester WRM Facebook page. There was great participation from schools, individuals, and work groups. Details on the Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) Program and listing of 17 participating groups is presented in an adjacent article.

Out of three options presented in terms of recommendation, Proctor’s submission suggested staff continue to support Provincial and Departmental litter clean up programs and to seek innovative ways to attract new groups to participate and recognize the efforts of the current community volunteers.

Councillor Taggart who has been a strong advocate for litter cleanup suggested money should not be taken from the existing budget.

TAGGART: Should not take money from their existing budget, but should add money for the cause. He suggested the municipality should take ownership to the exists & entrances. They are just as important as the Fundy Discovery Centre, he added. He challenged council to develop program saying wWe should step up

Councillor MacKenzie said she was against hiring people when we have 17 groups willing to do it for FREE. She added perhaps hire students from May until Fall and the municipality should not expect boy scouts to do the cleanup as it is not Safe. Councillor Cooper suggested work with schools as it’s the best way to go, but he did not agree with $500 in a program similar to East Hants. .

Other councillors offered a variety of suggestions: Parker suggested a $5,000 challenge rewarding volunteers $1 for every bag picked up, but they must pre register. Councillor Johnson tossed out the idea for Darlene and staff to develop a plan for spring, summer and fall.

Mayor Blair liked the idea of hiring summer students, but cautioned, the positions are part of a government application process and need federal or provincial approval. She added a summer student program would provide income for students in various areas. Mayor Blair added on Earth day on Harmony Road one student picked up 3 bags in 50 foot distance.

Council recognized it will take time to develop the right approach and will involve input from councillors, staff, and the general public. One suggestion was to start with a focus on the youth, perhaps much in the way seatbelt regulations were introduced, with the thought, "youth will force parents to not throw out litter.

Cow Patty- job done Great job Sheldon! Brandy Thompson gives her steer a friendly rub after he completed his participation in Cow Patty Bingo in just under an hour.

(Linda Harrington Photo)