Town Council, August 18: electric utility budget passes, $20,000 for the Exhibition barn

Decided

• Electric utility budget approved as presented: the 2026-2027 budget balances after debt payments and the transfer to general operating [pp. 2-3]. Purchased power is about 82% of operating expenses, with the net purchased power budget projected at $12.76 million against $12.90 million in 2025 [p. 2].
• $20,000 for the Exhibition barn: Council approved a platinum sponsorship of the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition's Barn Rebuilding Capital Project [p. 6].
• Guaranteed basic income resolution passed: Council backed Councillor Patrick McKenna's resolution asking the Deputy Mayor to write to the Prime Minister, ministers and the Premier of Nova Scotia calling on the Government of Canada to implement a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income [p. 5]. Mayor Sean Cameron declared a conflict and stepped aside, and Deputy Mayor Andrew Murray took the chair for the item [p. 5].
• Also approved: an updated memorandum of understanding with Helping Health Care Antigonish, reflecting the organization's name change [p. 3]; a Noise By-Law exemption for the St. Francis Xavier University Students' Union event from 8:00 p.m. September 4 to midnight September 5 [p. 3]; Councillor McKenna and Deputy Mayor Murray as alternate Town representatives on the Eastern District Planning Commission [p. 4]; and Councillor Diane Roberts as the Town's representative presenting its Municipal Success Story at the NSFM Conference in Halifax on November 5 [p. 6].

Sent back to staff

• Cellphones at the council table: Mayor Cameron raised concerns, and Council suggested the CAO review how other municipalities handle cellphone use during meetings and whether a formal policy would be appropriate for the Town [p. 3].
• E-scooters: Councillor Roberts raised riders not wearing helmets and riding on sidewalks; staff will investigate options and bring the matter back to Council [p. 4].
• Communities in Bloom National Symposium: Deputy Mayor Murray wants to attend the symposium in Montreal, October 15 to 17; staff will review available budget funding and report back [p. 4].
• Hillcrest re-zoning: Councillor McKenna asked whether the zoning maps reflect recent rezoning in the Hillcrest area; the CAO will seek clarification from EDPC and staff will update Council [p. 5].
• Truth and Reconciliation funding request: the request from Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activities was referred to staff to determine an appropriate amount through the Town's sponsorship process [p. 6].
• St. Ninian C.A.R.E. funding request: it will be considered through the Town's sponsorship process [p. 6].

Also on the agenda

• The Low Income Property Tax Exemption Memo, informational [p. 3]; Councillor Sullivan's question on how the Town's Media, Communications and Information Policy applies to media inquiries [p. 4]; Minister MacDonald's letter on the Active Transportation Trail [p. 5]; a thank-you letter from the Antigonish Coalition to End Poverty, received for information [p. 5]; a request for donation or purchase of unused Town Hall lighting fixtures [p. 6]; the 4-H Rooted Gala Event 2026, received for information [p. 6]; and staff reports on road and pothole repairs, sidewalks, patching contracts and design work for the James Street project [pp. 6-7].
• In camera beforehand: contract negotiations, and the acquisition, sale, lease and security of municipal property [p. 2].

Read the minutes as posted by the Town of Antigonish

The Reel's archived copy of this document

Sources

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p. 5

p. 6

p. 7