Garbage Collection
August 13, 2018
Open letter to the citizens of Annapolis County.
Dear Residents
The Municipality of the County of Annapolis, its Warden, and its council, would like to thank you for your patience in the current situation with garbage collection. We particularly thank everyone who has contacted us to learn more about what has taken place. Your questions are always welcome.
We understand and appreciate the concerns citizens have over the future of garbage collection and disposal in Annapolis County.
It is regrettable that our county has been placed in this situation, but we have taken proper measures to ensure garbage collection continues as usual.
We are also reviewing the circumstances that have led to the garbage collection dispute to protect our residents from similar disruptions in future.
The discussion on this matter is sensitive. It relates to contract obligations that have been ignored, permitting contracts to be implemented without the opportunity for municipalities, including Annapolis County, to properly review or vote on those contracts.
On behalf of the Municipality of the County of Annapolis Council,
Timothy Habinski
Warden for the Municipality of the County of Annapolis
August 1, 2018
Garbage Collection
The Municipality of the County of Annapolis’ residential garbage collection will continue as usual.
Decisions on contracts and budgets must be properly communicated and approved according to law.
This responsibility is one the Municipality takes very seriously. It is a matter of public interest that public corporate bodies such as Valley Waste adhere to this standard.
Services are important and must continue but through proper corporate decision-making when taxpayer's money is involved.
This accountability is a foundation of Canadian democracy.
On July 26, 2018 the Municipality of the County of Annapolis received correspondence from Valley Region Solid Waste-Resource Management Authority.
The Municipality of the County of Annapolis (the County) has referred the matter to the RCMP in respect to correspondence the County received from Valley Region Solid Waste-Resource Management Authority (Valley Waste). The County will not be providing any further comment at this time.
Sincerely,
The Municipality of the County of Annapolis
August 2, 2018
Garbage collection
Valley Waste is aware a cheque was sent and received from The Municipality of the County of Annapolis to pay for garbage collection and disposal; comments that have been made in social media are not accurate.
Any information provided about Annapolis County services that has not been approved by Annapolis County should be viewed as unreliable information.
It is a matter of public interest; Annapolis County assures garbage collection will continue as usual.
Sincerely,
The Municipality of the county of Annapolis
August 3, 2018
Garbage Collection Update.
Valley Waste is not a typical private company. It is a municipal enterprise created by municipalities and its budget must be approved as described in the municipal agreement that created Valley Waste. Valley Waste does not have approved budget, yet they are telling citizens the County of Annapolis owes them $700,000.00. Valley Waste’s actions may force Annapolis County to increase taxes or cut services on its citizens, yet Valley Waste does not have the approved budget it would need to issue a bill. Annapolis County will not legitimize actions taken without authority.
The truth will come out.
Annapolis County has a significant investment in Valley Waste – approximately 21 percent.
Valley Waste does not provide garbage collection directly. They contract out the service to private companies. Those private companies who have approved contracts have the County of Annapolis’ full support.
Garbage collection will continue as usual
Sincerely,
The Municipality of the county of Annapolis
August 4, 2018
Garbage Collection Update.
The two documents verify the invoice from Valley Waste and the Cheque sent to Valley Waste (in trust).
Sincerely,
The Municipality of the County of Annapolis
August 8, 2018
Garbage Collection
Your tax money has not been spent or lost in respect to garbage collection. All monies are duly accounted for.
The issue is Valley Waste does not have an approved budget, they are operating without an approved budget.
Municipalities are not permitted to give money to a contract that does not have an approved budget. The County of Annapolis is following this requirement.
The County of Annapolis offered a Budget to Valley Waste and conditionally gave Valley Waste a cheque for services “in trust” subject to an approved budget. The Valley Waste budget remains unapproved.
Sincerely,
The Municipality of the County of Annapolis
Annapolis County Internet Project--Update
Update Tuesday, July 31, 2018
There are three funding categories (potentially four) for the internet build. One is the County source, the other is federal funding through the Connect to Innovate CTI fund, and Gas Tax. Most of the Shore Road and parts of the Granville Road to Victoria Beach is being funded by CTI, Gas Tax and anticipated provincial funding. The contribution agreement between the County and the federal government is a document that permits work to begin and the County can invoice the federal government. The County cannot start before approval in principle is given. We are certain this will occur. With that said, much of the work being completed in respect to the “make readies” (this is a term used to describe regulated tree clearing and pole replacement) with Nova Scotia Power Inc. and Bell. This important work (make readies) will provide better estimates on the fibre build (attachment to poles) location and time.
The first visual course of work the public will see is tree clearing near existing lines and the odd pole replacement. The Utility and Review Board (UARB) requires this work when new fibre is proposed for connecting to the utility poles, in this instance it is in our County. As you can imagine, we hope all areas will meet the standard expected by the UARB and approved by Nova Scotia Power Inc. minimizing tree clearing and pole replacement. This necessary work must be performed before fibre is attached to the poles.
The actual fibre attachment to poles will go relatively quickly once the make readies are completed. As areas of the make readies become approved, then progressive work on clearing trees, pole replacements and fibre attachments will occur - likely in various areas.
Mainland Telecom Inc. intends to be working in various locations to be efficient as possible. Mainland and the County intend to provide information and updates as we proceed. We want to assure you that extensive work is already underway in preparing approvals for pole attachments.
Update Friday, May 18, 2018
Update Thursday, May 17, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2018
Annapolis County Internet Agreement Completed
Warden Timothy Habinski(ANNAPOLIS COUNTY, NS) The Municipality of the County of Annapolis announced today that a final agreement has been concluded with Mainland Telecom Inc. to begin provision of internet infrastructure throughout Annapolis County.
“We have been working hard over the past ten months to hammer out the final details of the funding agreement, and now we’ve signed off on the deal”, said Annapolis County Warden Timothy Habinski.
“Top level internet connectivity throughout the County was the first priority of Council’s Economic Development Strategy, and I am delighted that we are now in a position to finally move forward”, the Warden declared.
Last year the Municipality of the County of Annapolis Council approved a Temporary Borrowing Resolution (TBR) that put forward a formal request to the Province of Nova Scotia stating the County’s intent to borrow $13,000,000 to build back bone fibre optic cable in key areas within the County boundaries.
Councillor MacDonald Passionate Expression Of Gratitude
Deputy Warden Read ResolutionsThe Province approved the request in June 2017, and the Municipality then entered into active and detailed negotiations with Mainland Telecom Inc., the Annapolis Valley based company chosen from a list of companies to design, build, and provide fibre optic internet service for County homes and businesses.
“As in most cases where parties enter into complex negotiation the devil was in the details, and we wanted to work out an agreement that would protect the interest of our residents, provide them with the service they urgently need, and to be beneficial for both the Municipality and for Mainland Telecom Inc. We believe we have achieved that balance. Now the real work can begin”.
"The ongoing negotiations focused on a risk mitigation approach to the Fibre Optic Cable
John Ferguson CAO
Build while recognizing a need to reach as many citizens and businesses. Mainland Telecom Inc. and the County were thorough in their approach to negotiations and the details were widespread and comprehensive” said Annapolis County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) John Ferguson.
The fibre optic build is planned to begin during this year’s construction season and once the project is underway Mainland Telecom Inc. expects to have 3-4 separate crews working within Annapolis County. The fibre optic build is anticipated to take approximately 28 months. There is more information to follow. Stay tuned!
The Municipality will initiate a communications process that will keep residents and businesses up to date as this project progresses.
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Signatures and Witnesses 
Warden Signature
Clerk Signature
For Additional Information contact: John Ferguson
Chief Administrative Officer
Municipality of the County of Annapolis
902 526-0478
jferguson@annapoliscounty.ca
Update: Thursday, March 22, 2018
Contract negotiations are still underway that will see fibre optic cable built with in Annapolis County.
We appreciate everyone`s patience on this very important and exciting project as staff are working diligently to ensure the success of this project, now and into the future.
A media release will coincide with the signing of the contracts.
Update: December 4, 2017
Fibre Internet in the County of Annapolis.
We are still in negotiations for the contracts that will see fibre optic cable built with in Annapolis County.
We are very near to having these contracts finalized and signed. We appreciate everyone`s patience on this very important project.
There will be a media release for the signing of the documents – when negotiations are finalized.
Update: October 2nd 2017
Annapolis County set to begin laying fibre optic cable
for $18-million internet project
Click Here
for the full story in the Annapolis County Spectator
Pool Closure YMCA
