FIRE SEASON ABOUT TO BEGIN

On April 15th, the fire season is expected to begin officially,  therefore burning  permits will be required. Provincial & Municipal Burning Permits can be obtained from the local NS Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) offices as well at any HRM Fire Station. Domestic burning permits cost $5. Industrial permits cost $50. 

For more details about Provincial Burning Permits; go on-line to :

http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/b_permits/burn.htm .

Follow and exercise all  precautions, procedures and rules of conduct as outlined on the Permits.

For more safety tips about open-air burning: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/safedebris.html .

Please be respectful to fellow neighbours when you wish to burn. Do not do any open-air burning if there is any laundry hung out to dry nearby or close to any homes with indoor-outdoor air & heat exchange units. Best be cognizant of those with health conditions that can be impacted by environmental smoke. Also careless brush and grass burning can be the cause of many wildfires. HRM Bylaw does allow Open-Air Burning to be conducted 7 days a week from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM and all fires must be completely extinguished by 11:00 PM.

Go to: www.halifax.ca/legislation/bylaws/hrm/documents/By‑LawO‑103.pdf for more details. 

If by chance you are denied a Burning Permit, then be sure to obtain a signed Refusal Form that clearly outlines their decision. An appeal can be made to a higher Departmental authority if you feel that being refused a burning permit was unreasonable and unjust. If you do burn, then do so very carefully !

SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITIES

A safer community starts in your home and on your street but it can begins with you ! Have you ever considered being a member of Citizens on Patrol, or partake in a Neighbourhood Watch program ? Well it is something that you should seriously think about. The primary goal of making our communities safer is to deter criminals and troublemakers. A network of local volunteers are needed to keep a watchful eye on our neighbourhoods.

For information regarding Crime-stoppers, go to their web-site:  www.crimestoppers.ns.ca/ . Or look up other community policing programs such as Coastal/Airport Watch, Citizens on Patrol, Neighbourhood Watch, City Watch, Senior Safety, and Ground Search & Rescue; where volunteers are needed to work with our local RCMP detachments. Go on-line to :  www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ns/a_z/index_e.htm .

Your participation will be greatly appreciated!

Please contact any of the local Community Police Offices (CPO's) we have in District 3: 

Lake Echo CPO : 829-2229

Porters Lake CPO : 827 - 4294

North Preston CPO : 426-1607

Cole Harbour RCMP : 426- 8130

Musquodoboit Harbour RCMP : 889-3300

Halifax County RCMP : 244-7208 locally or  Toll-Free: 1 -800- 803-7267 .

Or go this HRM web-site for more information: www.halifax.ca/Police/Programs/CitizensonPatrol.html

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

Each year, communities all across Canada celebrate International Volunteer Week. This year it will be from April 15^th to 21^st. The primary purpose of this specially designated week is to thank and honour people who donate their time to help others by supporting the causes in which they believe. The theme for National Volunteer Week is "Volunteers Grow Community". The following web-sites on volunteering have event ideas, promotional tips and more:

www.volunteer.ca/volcan/eng/content/nvw/welcome.php

www.recreationns.ns.ca/volunteerawards

Selected volunteers from across HRM have been nominated to represent the thousands of volunteers presently working throughout our municipality. These volunteers will be recognized by HRM during a Volunteer Awards & Appreciation Reception on Wed., April 18^th at Halifax City Hall.

Congratulations to all the 2007 recipients and thank you to all volunteers !