Councillor’s Communiqué : AUGUST 2004 - Issue # 81

JUAN FIRE PERMIT EXEMPTION
I have been successful in getting some changes to HRM Open Air Burning By-law that enables the local fire departments outside of the HRM Urban No-Burn Zone to issue burning permits to respond to the large volumes of debris caused by Hurricane Juan. Under Clause 13A -Extraordinary Exemption, site inspectors will have the discretion to  reduce clearances to combustibles and property lines on a case by case basis. No longer will there be the strict adherence to the excessive setback distances that are dictated in the current by-law. As well they can exercise their authority to relax the time restrictions  to burn in order to take advantage of rainy days. As well the use of fire barrels and fire pits will be allowed too. It should be noted that this exemption is for Hurricane Juan debris only. Once a property is cleared of its brush and tree biomass, this exemption will no longer apply. Residents who have tree blow-down from Hurricane Juan and require a burning permit, are advised to contact their local fire station. HRM Fire & Emergency Services has the right to limit the number of permits issued. This will be determined at the local level in order not to overwhelm the response capability of the local fire department. It should be noted that this exemption will only be in effect while we enjoy favourable weather and minimal risk of a forest fire. Once the Provincial Fire Weather Index (FWI) reaches a 'High' or 'Extreme' condition status, then all fire permits will be revoked and cancelled. The NS Minister of Natural Resources has that authority to invoke an all outright ban of open-fires and travel in our woodlands if dangerous dry conditions warrant him to do so. To keep yourself informed on the latest daily FWI readings, go on-line to: 
http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/fwi/default.htm  and check out the related links to keep yourself safe from the risks of wildfires. 

Please exercise extreme caution when burning.

REVIEW OF STREET PRIORITY LIST
With the increasing demand for improvements to local streets, HRM will be reviewing and assessing its current priority list for cost-shared street paving. As it stands now there are more than 65 streets on the waiting list for paving since 1999. This does not include those streets that may have had their original petitions slate-dated because of waiting so long. Normally, they are kept on file for a period of at least five years. The current policy for ranking streets is based solely on seniority - those who filed their petitions first, will be  served first. One's own street only gets to the top of the list by attrition.  Ranked as #2 and #3 this year are Inverary Court and Greenough Drive in West Porters Lake and they have finally been approved for cost-shared paving which is expected to be done by Fall 2004. Long overdue! The next set of local streets to be done in District 3 will not occur until we get down the list to # 17 through to # 40 and then onto # 47 & #48. This policy of seniority may seem fair to some, but in most cases it should be based on necessity.  Local improvements ought to be done where they will have the greatest impact on improving local street services such as snow removal and ice control. As well to ensure safer access for emergency vehicles. I have been talking with HRM staff about reassessing our current priority ranking regime. I believe that major subdivision feeder streets should be considered as first priority. Followed by local connector roads and then by the shorter cul-de sacs. Other conditions such as the slope and grade of the road ought to dictate  precedence over flatter straight roads. We all know that hills and curves are much harder to negotiate under slippery conditions. With the Federal promises of sharing some of its Gas-Tax revenues with the Municipalities and with further Service Exchange Transfer Agreements with the Province, only then will HRM have the capability to accelerate its current cost-shared paving program of local roads and subdivision streets. 

NEED VOLUNTEERS & SUPPORT
Our local fire departments are in need of volunteers. All the local Fire Stations will be holding a Recruitment Open-House on Saturday,  Sept. 18th, 10:00 AM -2:00 PM. All volunteers will be trained in fire-fighting techniques and life-saving skills development. If you are interested, please drop by any time while the stations are open and pick up an application. To learn more about HRM Fire & Emergency Services, go on-line to: 

http://www.halifax.ca/fire/index.html

GROUND SEARCH & RESCUE
Our local Eastern Shore Ground Search & Rescue Squadron will be conducting a  fund-raising "Mackerel Fishing Derby" in conjunction with the Oyster Pond Fire Department in Jeddore Harbour on Saturday, Aug. 21st. 
Start early, registration at 8:00 AM.

BEST OF LUCK IN ATHENS
Well wishes for the best of luck to our local paddler, Steve Giles who will going to his fourth Olympics Games this year in Athens, Greece. Be sure to drop by the Lake Echo Community Centre during the Canoe / Kayak Flatwater races ( Aug. 23rd -27th) to cheer him onto victory. Go for Gold! Good Luck Stevie!

Sincerely,

Councillor  David  Hendsbee  

# 3288 - # 7 Hwy, Lake Echo, NS, B3E 1C6  

Web-Site: www.hendsbee.ns.ca &  http://www.halifax.ca/ 
E-Mail: david@hendsbee.ns.ca  hendsbd@halifax.ca   

829-2465 (Office)
829-3620 (Fax)
483-0705 (Cell)
490-4050 (Halifax)