H.R.M. District 3 Councillor’s Communiqué
September  2009 - Issue # 142

 		 


MORE STREET PAVING COMING

There will be some progress on the paving of various "J"- Class subdivision gravelled streets in Porters Lake. NS tender # 60137966 (Project #2009-107) for the first phase of this area was advertised and closed at the end of July. There will be 13 streets done this year: Sandy Lane, Cheviot Hills Road, Narrows Lane, Hilltop Drive, Davlin Drive, Candlewood Drive, Ritcey Court, Portersfield Drive, Carter Road, Alps Road, Heidelberg Lane, Bavaria Drive and Geneva Court. The work is expected to be completed by October 31st.

A priority list of roads was established based upon a systematic approach of grouping a network of streets in close geographical clusters that takes into account the degree of maintenance difficulty for each of them. Since 2006, 30 streets in the Lawrencetown area were paved on this basis. If the provincial funding continues, then we should be well on our way in addressing the remainder of the forty plus gravelled streets in the greater Porters Lake region over the next couple of years. I can only hope that the new Eastern Shore MLA, Mr. Sid Prest, will have the same success as his predecessor did in addressing our local roads. Once again, I want to thank and acknowledge Bill Dooks, for his hard work on this issue.  

  


FINAL TAX BILL DUE - SEPT. 30th

HRM sends out its property tax bills in two phases and invoices all property owners twice each year. An Interim Tax Bill was mailed back in March and now the Final Tax Bill has been mailed out in August with a final due date of Wednesday, September 30th, 2009. The municipality charges 4% above the bank prime rate on any outstanding balances. This service fee is to encourage more timely payment.  

  

LOCAL TRANSIT SERVICE SURVEY

I have been working with Metro Transit officials about making some scheduling  adjustments to the Community Transit service  that runs along Hwy #7 through East Preston, Lake Echo, Porters Lake, and into West Chezzetcook and Grand Desert. There will be another survey conducted to determine what service times the bus users would prefer to see available. This final survey will run on-line between September 14th to 30th. Go to:  www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/community_transit.html and fill it out. As well the same survey will be conducted on board the bus from September 22nd to 24th. Patrons and potential users are encouraged to participate. Results from this survey will help determine what times the bus could be running.

In this survey, there  will be a schedule breakdown provided for both AM & PM trips that will allow people to better weigh their options. Please note the schedule times provided in the questions are not the only options, and that whichever schedule is chosen can be altered to optimize connections in both directions at the Portland Hills terminal.

Earlier on, an on-board test survey was conducted back in June (the 23rd & 24th). The purpose of this test survey was to obtain some more information on the rider ship  work scheduling demands and bus service availability requirements. More importantly, it helped to see how the questions may work in a more widespread on-line survey. The revised questionnaire should provide better data to help determine exactly what service adjustments should be made to better serve the area.

Please also note that the recent bus fare increase of $0.25 for urban Metro Transit service does NOT affect the total Community Transit fare. It is still only $3. ($2.25 + $0.75)  		  

PLAN PROVISION FOR KENNELS

Last year, a Public Information Meeting (PIM) was held on September 17th, 2008 at the Lawrencetown Community Centre (LCC) to discuss an application by HRM to consider amending the kennel provisions within the old Halifax County Districts 8 and 9 ( Lake Echo, Porters Lake, Chezzetcook ), and the Lawrencetown Area Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-laws. We heard your concerns about where kennels could be permitted, and under what circumstances should they be allowed. Now a HRM staff recommendation is being suggested for further public comment. The follow-up PIM will be held on Wednesday, September 9th at 7 PM at the LCC.  Your input on this proposal will be critical to help address this contentious issue.  		  


BACK TO SCHOOL WITH CARE

I would like to welcome all students back to school. Your education is important for you to succeed in life. This year with the H1N1 flu alert, personal hygiene will be paramount. Frequent hand-washing, cough into elbow / sleeve, and  flu shots will be promoted more than ever. I urge everyone to take heed of all health care advisories. Our schools can be very safe if we all follow the hygiene protocols advised by our health care professionals. Please take care of yourself.  

  

Sincerely,

 Councillor  David  Hendsbee  
 H.R.M. DISTRICT 3 COUNCILLOR
PRESTON/LAWRENCETOWN/CHEZZETCOOK

1 Chamberlain Drive, Westphal, NS, B2Z 1B1
829-2465 ( Home Office ) 483-0705 ( Cell )
490-4050 ( Hfx. City Hall ) 829-3620 ( Fax )
david@hendsbee.ns.ca & hendsbd@halifax.ca