REVISED 2020-21 BUDGET APPROVED
Given the impacts of COVID-19 on the municipality, all HRM business units presented revised budget plans than those presented earlier in the year. Regional Council has approved $787-Million in total municipal expenditures, provincial mandatory contributions of $168-Million and a capital plan of $150-Million as part of the 2020/21 municipal budget. HRM Council approved the residential tax rate to remain unchanged, acknowledging that the average residential tax bill will increase due to growth in property assessment values. The average single-family home tax bill will increase by $27, or 1.4% overall. The average commercial tax bills will also increase by 1.4%. For more detailed information on the 2020-21 HRM budget visit:  www.halifax.ca/budget

HRM WOMEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Back on November 26, 2019 HRM Council approved the creation of the Women’s Advisory Committee, to support the creation of a gender inclusive municipality and provide advice to Council on matters relevant to the municipal mandate. Recently the Committee members were appointed: HRM Councillors Lorelei Nicoll & Lisa Blackburn, with various citizens from diverse communities: Haneen Al-Noman, Lilian Barraclough, Tanya Boudreau, Charla Dorrington, Holly Mathias, Jane McKay- Nesbitt, Michael Smith, and Christine Qin Yang. The HRM staff contact person is Krista Vining:  viningk@halifax.ca  or by phone: 902-490-6520. More detail about the committee’s role can be found in the HRM staff report  www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/191126rc1521.pdf  and the Terms of Reference and its Administrative Order: www.  halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/legislation-by-laws/2019-004-GOV.pdf

HSW ALTERNATIVES FOR DISPOSAL
While the HRM Household Special Waste (HSW) program has been suspended for this summer, it is important to note that there are free alternate options available to residents to dispose of common HSW materials.

Paint and empty paint cans can be dropped off at any Enviro Depot location in the Province. Residents are asked to call ahead to confirm changes to hours of operation and additional materials accepted. Contact information for these locations, along with materials accepted can be found on the Product Care website:  www.productcare.org/recycling-locator/  or on the  www.divertns.ca

Used oil, oil filters, glycol (antifreeze) & any empty containers which contained oil or glycol can be dropped off at any Used Oil Management Association (UOMA) NS designated collection site that are at many local gas stations and auto repairs shops. To find one near you, go to:  https://ns.uoma-atlantic.com/en/collection-facilities

Batteries & Cell phones can be dropped off at several retail locations in the Dartmouth area for recycling that can be found on the Call2Recycle website:  www.call2recycle.ca/locator/

Prescription Drugs Check with your pharmacy to confirm if they are currently able to accept unused or expired medications for disposal.
Residents will find links to these programs when they search for HSW items through the Halifax Recycles mobile app, or on-line at  www.Halifax.ca/whatgoeswhere

Tips for safe at home storage of HSW can be found on the HRM Web-site:  www.halifax.ca/home-property/garbage-recycling-green-cart/household-special-waste  and on the Federal Government Web-site:  www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-safety/household-chemical-safety.html#a2.3.

BLACK LIVES MATTER SOLIDARITY FUND
The COVID-19 Coronavirus has had a disproportional impact upon Nova Scotia’s Black population, particularly those working in the service sector, plus those that earn their living as artists and performers. A “Go Fund Me” page as been established to assist those experiencing financial difficulties due to the pandemic. To find out more about applying for these funds, or if you would like to make a donation, please visit: www.  gofundme.com/f/black-lives-matter-solidarity-fund-ns

EASTERN SHORE HERITAGE PRESERVATION FUND
The Lake Charlotte Area Heritage Society was founded in 1995 that recognized a need for preserving the heritage of our rural communities. The vision of the Society is to inspire an enduring appreciation for the heritage of the Eastern Shore in both residents and visitors alike. The purpose of this Fund helps to support the following endeavours:Eastern Shore ArchivesEastern Shore Oral History Collection Eastern Shore Community Photo Database Eastern Shore Heritage Research Projects Memory Lane Heritage VillageRegional Artifact Storage Facility
The Eastern Shore Archives is the repository for all records related to the social, economic, cultural and natural history of all the communities between Lawrencetown and Ecum Secum. Housed within the climate controlled, fire protected archives are documents, oral histories, photographs, maps and genealogies of the families and businesses of the Eastern Shore.

The Heritage Society is overseen by a volunteer board of directors, a paid part-time Executive Director, and over 150 volunteers. Volunteers and community support are essential to the sustainable operation of the Heritage Village and the Archives. Donations to this fund up to $500, can be made through ‘CanadaHelps’:   www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/community-foundation-of-nova-scotia/campaign/eastern-shore-heritage-preservation-fund/

For donations over $500, please contact the Community Foundation of NS office at 902-490-9916 or by e-mail:  infocfns@cfns-fcne.ca

SUPERVISED SWIMMING BEACHES
There will be qualified life-guards on duty at these local lake locations:Orenda Beach – Lake Echo;Kinap Beach – West Porters Lake;Petpeswick Lake Beach Park on Pleasant Drive – Gaetz Brook;Webber’s Beach – Lake Charlotte; and maybe Malay Falls – Sheet Harbour
For up-to-date information on hours of supervision and latest water quality results, go to:  www.halifax.ca/recreation/programs-activities/swimming/supervised-beaches-outdoor-pools-splash-pads
Be advised that Government Wharf Park in West Petpeswick/ Musquodoboit Harbour is no longer supervised, but its water testing will continue.

SWIMMING POOLS & FENCING LAWS
Residents with either an above-ground or in-ground swimming pool are required to obtain a permit. To obtain these permits, details of pool location, fencing and security must be identified as specified in HRM By-law S-700:  www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/legislation-by-laws/By-lawS-700.pdf
This applies to all swimming pools with a diameter of 11 feet or more and a depth of 2 feet or more. And they should be completely enclosed with a 5-foot high fence.
For more information and details, please go to:  www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/home-property/building-renovating/PoolsSummer2018.pdf

hfxALERT EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
HRM has a mass notification system for keeping residents informed about emergencies and operations updates. hfxALERT will send urgent and non-urgent notifications from Halifax Regional Police, Halifax Fire & Emergency’s Emergency Management Division, as well as municipal winter parking ban notices. Residents need to sign-up for notifications via the HRM web-site.  www.halifax.ca/fire-police/fire/emergency-management/hfxalert
HRM’s current service provider, Everbridge, offers users a mobile app. www.  everbridge.com/products/mobile-apps/download/

You are not required to download the app to receive hfxALERT notifications. As with all third-party apps it is the user’s responsibility to review the app’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use. With the Everbridge App, notifications will be sent to you based on your immediate location. For this to work, your location services must be turned on on your mobile devices. However, you will not necessarily receive any courtesy notification or urgent public safety locations outside of your immediate location. For example, if you are away from your home, and have not signed up online, you may not receive a notification about an incident near your home. You must sign up with hfxALERT to receive certain notifications.  https://member.everbridge.net/453003085617760/login
This will ensure the municipality can reach you to share important information quickly based on set locations, such as your home or workplace.