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Councillor’s
Communiqué : September 2005 - Issue # 94
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BRUSH PICKUP - JUAN LAST
CHANCE The initial
pick-up of Hurricane Juan brush debris within the
CFIA Quarantined Brown Spruce Long-horn Beetle (BSLB)
zone has been underway since Aug. 22nd. The
following communities will have one (Juan) last
opportunity of having their brush debris picked up
during the week of Sept. 12th: Lake Echo & Mineville
(west of the waterline), East Preston, North
Preston, Lawrencetown, Little Salmon River, Ross
Road, Westphal, Lake Major, Cherry Brook, Lake Loon,
Montague Mines, Spider Lake, Cole Harbour ( east of
Bissett Lake & south of the old Railway corridor),
Cow Bay and Eastern Passage (east of Caldwell Rd).
With the magnitude of debris,
it is so important on accomplishing this task to the
greatest degree as possible. Residents must utilize
their time, especially on weekends, to stockpile
their brush and branches ( up to 4 inches in
diameter ) along the edge of their property nearest
to the road. Pick-up of material will be done on a
rotational basis throughout the affected
communities. It is important to remember that the
purpose of this brush pick-up program is to make our
homes and neighbourhoods safer. For more details
about how to 'Fire Smart' your home and property
please refer to these web-sites:
www.firewise.org/
www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/firesmart.htm
www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/documents/wildfirebrochure2.pdf
Be prepared and ready to go.
This is your last chance to get rid and begone of
this brush debris.
TERRY FOX RUN - 25th
ANNIVERSARY
The 25th Annual Run at the
Lake Echo Community Ctr will be held on Sunday,
Sept. 18th from 1-3 PM. Call Mary Ann Bailey at
829-3903 for more details.
ASSESSMENT CAP DEADLINE
Property owners have had a
chance since mid-June to review their proposed 2006
assessment, when the preliminary notices were
mailed. These Notices were sent to property owners
whose assessments are expected to increase by more
than 3 % in 2006. The assessments are based on Jan.
1, 2004 market values. This was done in order to
give sufficient time to consider whether or not to
make a formal appeal during the official appeal
period in January 2006. It will also help property
owners to decide if they will apply for the 2006 CAP
Assessment program. The CAP Assessment program is
designed to help protect property owners from sudden
and dramatic increases in market value by placing a
limit, or cap, on the amount of taxable assessment
increase on eligible properties. Property owners who
applied for the CAP last year and met the residency
and ownership requirements will be automatically
re-considered for 2006. They do not have to reapply.
Property owners who did not apply to the program in
2005 and whose properties are likely to be eligible
are being sent an application form along with their
proposed notice. Application forms including
eligibility criteria, are available on the website
at
www.nsassessment.ca
or can be picked up at a local regional assessment
office, Access Nova Scotia Centre, Registry of Deeds
office or municipal tax office. Completed
applications must be received by Assessment Services
by no later than Sept. 30th. Land owners with
enquiries on their assessment notice can call
1-800-667-5727.
OPEN AIR BURNING BAN IN
EFFECT
DNR Minister has proclaimed a
ban on all open fires (except grilled campfires in
parks) until mid-September unless we get more rain.
The DNR Provincial Fire Weather Index (FWI) is
on-line at:
www.gov.ns.ca/natr/protection/wildfire/fwi/default.htm
. Be careful while in or near the woods.
REBATE ALREADY ON TAX BILLS
During the 2005-06 HRM Budget
debates, Regional Council approved a rebate program
that would provide relief from property tax bills
due to the wide variation in Provincial Assessments.
Market Value Assessments have no consistent link to
services available, ability to pay and cost of
services, especially in a growing market atmosphere.
All market segments are not growing equally, and the
Municipal Government Act offers limited flexibility.
HRM wants this to change and we will be reviewing
this taxing dilemma while we re-analyze our
Municipal Revenue Strategy for 2006-07 and beyond.
The purpose of this rebate program is to provide
short term relief for citizens. It is by no means a
long term solution, but it is a step toward a long
term Tax Reform strategy in HRM. The program
includes a three step action plan which will include
an one time only "Temporary Tax Credit" for
properties with above average assessment values. The
average Assessment in HRM has increased by 7.6% in
2005. HRM has proposed to reduce property tax bills
by 50% of the increase over the average. This is
based on a 2 year average, and applies to all
residential properties with a dwelling unit. In
addition, HRM has enhanced its low income support
programs. (See Issue # 91 - June 2005). Provincial
Legislation was required for these changes and this
property tax relief has been automatically
calculated and now appears on your final 2005-06 tax
bill. Also letters were sent out by now outlining
this credit as well. Please remember that the due
date for taxes is Sept. 30th.
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