HRM COMMUNITY GRANTS AWARDS

The HRM Community Grants Program awards annual cash grants to registered non-profit organizations located within our municipality. The focus of these grants is primarily the provision of modest financial assistance to community-based volunteer initiatives. The 2017 Community Grants Program received 130 applications for a combined total of $1,421,480.00 in funding requests. Due to limited funds, 52 awards for a combined total of $453,858.00 was recommended. The following organizations of particular interest to our district were recommended for grant awards:

• Moser River &  Area Historical Society: A grant of $1,700 for building materials to construct a wheelchair ramp at McMann House.
• NS Woodlot  Owners & Operators  Association— Mooseland: A grant of $2,500 for small forestry & navigational equipment to support the Otter Ponds Demonstration Project.
• Harbour Lites New Horizon Seniors Club— Musquodoboit Harbour : A grant of $3,000 for the purchase and installation of the commercial-grade appliance.
• Eastern Shore Players Society: A grant of $4,750 towards the purchase of portable lighting equipment.
• Africville Heritage Trust Society : A grant of $5,000 towards the Negro Spirituals Music Project to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the last service conducted in the original church.
• Conseil Communautaire du Grand-Havre: A grant of $5,000 towards a Francophone Cultural Centre feasibility study.
• Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society: A grant of $5,000 for repairs to Harris House.
• Royal Canadian Legion Branch #58—Watt Section: A grant of $10,000 towards the installation of an auxiliary power system in order to be designated as an EMO comfort centre.
• Royal Canadian Legion Branch #161—Gaetz Brook: A grant of $10,000 towards the installation of an auxiliary power system in order to be designated as an EMO comfort centre.
• Seaforth Community Hall : A grant of $10,500 for the acquisition & installation of a metal roof.
• MusGo Riders Cooperative Limited: A grant of $12,000 towards the purchase of another vehicle for rural transit service.
• Musquodoboit Harbour Heritage  Society: A grant of $12,000 for exterior repairs to the Railway Museum.
• NS Black Cultural Centre: A grant of $25,000 for community access enhancement upgrades.
• Sheet Harbour Chamber of Commerce : A grant of $25,000 for the installation of floating docks for the coastal marina project.

HALIFAX GREEN NETWORK PLAN

The Halifax Green Network Plan is nearing the final phase of development and HRM is seeking your input. Join us at an upcoming public meeting to discuss the draft directions for protecting a region-wide network of open space lands and waters to help HRM shape its future Green Network.

To see what was discussed in Phase 1 and 2, check out the Halifax Green Network Primer Report and its Values Maps:

www.halifax.ca/HalifaxGreenNetwork/documents/HGNP-Primer_170309-HIGH.pdf
www.halifax.ca/HalifaxGreenNetwork/documents/HGNP-Primer-ValuesMaps_170110.pdf

Phase 3 local meeting dates are:

• Wednesday, June 7th 6-8 PM at Musquodoboit Valley Bicentennial Theatre & Cultural Centre, 12390 Hwy #224, Middle Musquodoboit
• Thursday, June 8th 6–8 PM at the Sheet Harbour Lions Club, 183 Pool Road
• Monday, June 12th 6–8 PM at the Old School Community Gathering Place, 7962 Highway #7, Musquodoboit Harbour.

If you can’t attend a meeting, you can participate in the online survey: www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/halifax-green-network.

LOW INCOME TRANSIT PROGRAM

Beginning July 2017, the HRM Annual Low Income Transit Program will accept up to 1,000 qualified applicants who will be able to purchase a subsidized monthly pass from July 2017 to June 2018. The intent of the program is to make monthly transit passes more affordable for low-income residents. Those participating in the program will be able to purchase monthly adult transit passes for 50% off the regular price. To qualify for the Halifax Transit Low Income Transit Pass Program the applicant must not already receive a transportation subsidy under the NS Employment Support & Income Assistance Program, and the applicant’s household income must be less than $33,000 per year. The application form is available online at: www.halifax.ca/transit/LowIncomePass.php.

UPDATE ON MVP RENOVATIONS

Eight bids were received for HRM Tender (17-166) for the renovations to the branch library, fitness center and Service Counter in the Musquodoboit Harbour Village Plaza (MVP). The successful bidder was Blunden Construction at a quote of $788,000.00. It is anticipated that the renovation work will begin by mid-June and hopefully be concluded by mid-November.

During this construction period the fitness center, library and service counter will still be operating at the current site but within a more confined space. The HRM Service Counter & Recreation Staff will be relocated to an on-site trailer, and the library will be reduced in size to fit a space inside the fitness center area. The fitness center itself will remain in the same spot but at a reduced utilization area of about 60% capacity. Some of the duplicate machines will be removed to make room within these confined quarters.

HRM did a review of local facilities and assessed different alternative service delivery models. It was determined that the most cost-effective approach would be to keep as much of the current services at the current location but at a reduced rate. Your patience during this renovation period will be greatly appreciated.

For more details, www.halifax.ca/rec/CentresMusqHarbour.php or contact the MVP fitness centre directly at 902-888-4058.