The group bringing the Canadian mixed doubles curling trials to Liverpool is getting a little over $19,000 in funding from the Region of Queens.
Councillors unanimously approved the $19,140 in funding this week for the Liverpool Championship Host Society. District 2 Coun. Ralph Gidney declared a conflict of interest because he is a director of the society. He abstained from voting.
The funding comes from the municipality’s community investment fund. There was about $22,418 left over in the fund before councillors granted the society’s request.
The host society originally asked for $25,000. Councillors agreed to the lower amount because staff said the society’s cash assets and budget surplus were above the threshold that would have allowed for full funding.
Total projected expenses for the event are just over $255,200.
Mayor Darlene Norman reminded councillors that with this funding, the $175,000 community investment fund is essentially depleted for this year, with about $3,000 remaining. But it does have about a $200,000 accumulated surplus.
The Canadian mixed doubles curling trials are one of three major qualifying events in Nova Scotia for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Wolfville is hosting the Canadian pre-trials in October 2025, Halifax will host the Canadian curling trials in November 2025, and Liverpool will host the mixed doubles curling trials at Queens Place Emera Centre this Dec. 30 to Jan. 4.
District 3 Coun. Maddie Charlton asked for a way on Tuesday to boost funding for the South Shore Transition House Association. (Region of Queens YouTube channel)
Thirty-four community groups in Queens County will be getting almost $150,000 in funding from the municipality, but one councillor worried on Tuesday that one organization wasn’t getting enough.
The Region of Queens approves funding requests each year from non-profit groups for operational, capital or event funding through its community investment fund.
Groups have to meet various criteria to be approved for funding. Eighteen groups applied for funding of more than $1,000. Another 16 applied for help under $1,000. Council must approve all requests over $1,000. Staff alone can assess and approve those requests under $1,000.
The South Shore Transition House Association asked for $5,000 so that the Bridgewater-based Harbour House can help clients in Queens County from a more secure location in Liverpool.
Stephanie Sereda, the region’s community development co-ordinator, explained the association’s request to councillors.
“They currently have been in the Liverpool area serving clients for two years from a location that is just not secure. They have requested that they can find a safe and secure space, this would cover rent, transportation to and from for their clients.
“This would be for Queens County residents who are experiencing domestic violence to go and receive counselling and support and they’re brought in from all corners of Queens to the Liverpool area to this particular location. … But the space is very public and it’s a very private matter. They’re just hoping to continue to support in a better location.”
But because the organization’s cash assets made up more than half of their operating budget, they were eligible for only $1,250 under the community investment fund. The amount that can be awarded to an organization is reduced if its bank balance or assets are above a certain threshold.
Some other organizations were also not awarded all the funding they requested.
District 3 Coun. Maddie Charlton asked if there was any way to make an exception to the policy to ensure the transition house association got its full funding request.
“I want to see this request considered to be supported in the full amount because I think it’s important that women in Queens County have access to a resource like this in Queens County and they don’t have to go elsewhere.”
Charlton wanted to see the motion amended.
Other councillors, however, said that while they support more funding for the organization, they couldn’t support going against the policy.
District 6 Coun. David Brown said he would support a standalone request, but he wouldn’t support changing the policy in this case.
“This is a very worthwhile cause but we have to have some consistency in how we deal with things. We can’t decide that one area or group is not as deserving as another area or group. I think that’s a slippery slope we go down.
“But if we decide we want to give more to this organization, it’s a very good organization, we have that option at a later time and in my mind, that’s the best way to go today.”
Mayor Darlene Norman said that she couldn’t amend the motion, because it would be a substantive change and it would be out of order. Norman suggested that Charlton make a motion at a future meeting that council fund the remaining $3,750 requested.
“This council does highly support South Shore Transition House and the outreach they provide for the women in Queens but this council wishes to keep in check with the policy that we’ve developed.”
In the end, councillors voted to support the recommendation to give the South Shore Transition House Association $1,250.
Councillors approved all funding requests recommended by staff, for a total of $147,858.64.
Here are the organizations awarded more than $1,000 in funding through the Region of Queens community investment fund.
Operating investment funds (for eligible operating expenses up to the amount stated)
CJQC Radio Society (QCCR) – $5,000
Queens County Museum – $10,000
South Queens Chamber of Commerce – $5,000
Queens County Fair Association – $10,000
North Queens Heritage Society – $1,125
South Shore Transition House Association – $1,250
Mersey Point Community Association – $10,000
The Friends of Carroll Baker Society – $4,847.50
Coastal Queens Place – $5,000
Queens County Blades – $5,000
Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute – $5,900
Friends of Hank Snow Society – $10,000
North Queens Board of Trade – $10,000
Capital investment funds
Seaside Recreation and Community Centre Association – $33,723.64
Region of Queens councillors will again discuss traffic safety in downtown Liverpool, at their regular meeting on Tuesday. (Rick Conrad)
Traffic concerns, a heritage property and money for community groups are some of the issues Queens County councillors will be discussing on Tuesday at their regular council meeting.
They voted to defer a decision on whether to install orange crosswalk flags at the three-way stop at Main and Market streets. Staff did not support that idea. But councillors plan to discuss it again on Tuesday.
Councillors also plan to consider a motion on Tuesday to spend $1,000 on a traffic study on Main Street, from School Street to Riverside Drive near Fort Point Lighthouse Park.
This was after a petition from residents in November, urging the region to lower speed limits in the area and to create a four-way stop at the Main and School Street intersection. Residents want the current 50 km/h limit lowered to 40.
At their April 23 meeting, councillors heard from Adam Grant, the region’s director of engineering and public works. He said an outside consultant in February studied municipal roads that might meet the provincial criteria for lowering the speed limit to below 50.
That work found that 85 per cent of the traffic on the section of Main Street from School down to the park was already topping out at 42 km/h.
Grant told councillors it would cost $35,000 to hire a traffic consultant to study the feasibility of a four-way stop at Main and School streets.
The municipality also plans to use three mobile speed feedback signs to help with lowering speed in the area.
Mayor Darlene Norman summarized Grant’s report.
“We can let the petitioners know that it is possible to reduce the speed from School east to Main. We are going to continue to do the investigation to reduce speed in that area. … We are doing three speed feedback signs, so that’s speed calming, which we can place in other areas.”
Staff are recommending that council spend the $1,000 to study the section of Main Street from School Street to the park. But they are not recommending crosswalk flags at the three-way stop on Main Street.
Councillors will also vote on Tuesday on requests from 18 non-profit groups for operational, capital or event funding through the region’s community investment fund.
Another 16 groups applied for funding of less than $1,000 each. Those requests do not require council’s approval. Staff assess those applications. If councillors approve the requests, the region will be giving $147,858.64 to community groups around Queens County.
And the Medway Area Heritage Society is applying for a municipal heritage designation for Seely Hall in Port Medway.
Built as a general store, warehouse and shipping office in the mid-1800s by the family of privateer Caleb Seely, the building is now used for community events, such as the Medway Head Lighthouse Art and Craft Show every summer.
The region’s heritage advisory committee recommended the property for heritage designation. It said the role of the building as a community hall and general store and the prominence of the Seely family is of great historical significance to the area.
Council meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesday in council chambers on White Point Road. You can also watch the proceedings live on the Region of Queens Facebook page or YouTube channel.
The Seaside Centre in Beach Meadows was one of the community groups last year that received a grant through the operating investment fund. (Rick Conrad photo)
By Rick Conrad
Non-profit groups in Queens County who need help with some expenses can now apply for the operating investment fund through the municipality’s community investment fund.
The deadline for the operating fund is Jan. 31.
The region is also holding an information session about the various funding options available, at the Seaside Centre in Beach Meadows on Jan. 22 from 2-4 p.m. To register, email ssereda@regionofqueens.com.
Under the community investment fund, annual cash grants are awarded to non-profits or societies in Queens County focused on sports or recreation, education, environment, culture, community, heritage or social activities.
Groups can apply under five different categories: capital, operational, event or tournament, training, and travel assistance.
There are three different funding levels in the operating grant category, depending on what the money is used for: Up to $10,000 annually for groups that own their own facility or have a long-term lease where programs or services are well established; up to $5,000 for community groups to offer year-round services; and up to $1,000 for groups to offer new or expanded programs or seasonal services for residents.
Mayor Darlene Norman says it’s a great opportunity for groups throughout the region to help with certain expenses.
“There seems to be the same groups applying year after year and it’s my thought that there may be other groups who are unaware that these grants do exist for them, so I strongly encourage anyone with non-profit organizations who are struggling with their non-profit expenses to investigate this very good grant opportunity which is funded by the taxpayers of the Region of Queens.”
Nine community groups were approved last year for up to $60,000 operational funding.
More information and application forms are available at regionofqueens.com.
Entrance to Region of Queens council chambers. Photo Ed Halverson
Tuesday’s Region of Queens Council meeting began with a couple of petitions to address speeding on Main Street in Liverpool.
Council moved the item to discussions and decided to have staff look into the costs and process of lowering the speed limit from 50km/h to 40 km/h at the far end of Main Street ending at Fort Point Rd.
Moving to the recommendations portion of the agenda, staff recommended reappointing three members of the Planning advisory committee to their current positions. Members can serve either a one- or two-year term. The intention of the policy is to stagger the appointments, so the entire committee isn’t replaced at one time.
Next council heard a recommendation to waive tipping fees for a property that has fallen into disrepair since the previous owner died in 2001. Her beneficiaries have agreed to cover the cost of demolition but as they are on a limited budget they are asking the municipality to forgive the tipping fees. Council will vote on the recommendation to waive the $700 charge at their next meeting.
A request to enter into a development agreement to expand what is currently two short- term rental units in Summerville into seven units was denied as council and staff felt the number of structures would be too much for a parcel of land which is only 26,5000 square feet in size.
Council appointed two new representatives to the new Police Advisory Board. North Queens will be represented by Donald Kimball and South Queens will be served by Elaina Gaetan.
The Diversity and Inclusion Action Team also added a new member as council approved Tammy Conway-Denning. She brings over twenty years’ experience working with vulnerable and diverse populations to the position.
The long-discussed new outdoor pool was next on the agenda. Council was presented with a site plan based on the criteria they had previously established including a six-lane competitive pool, seating for spectators, a thermal pool and a zero-entry side. The cost to fulfil the wish list comes in at $8.22 million.
Council directed staff to proceed with the next steps of developing an estimated operating budget including expenses and revenue; a financial plan including possible funding models and grant opportunities for the current capital cost deficit; construction procurement options; and to obtain further Project Management services.
The last recommendation was to provide the Hunts Point Community Hall Association with $6,139 from the Community Investment Fund to install a new roof.
In the discussion portion of the meeting Council received a report to improve the heating system at the Town Hall Arts and Cultural Centre, home of the Astor Theatre. Theatre personnel have applied for federal funding to offset the cost of installing a new HVAC system.
Council then directed municipal staff to work alongside theatre group to determine what work will be performed and how it is to be funded.
The next Region of Queens Council meeting will be held November 28 at 6:00pm in Council Chambers.
To hear the broadcast of this story click play below.
Region of Queens Administration Building. Photo Ed Halverson
Region of Queens Council was back with a jam-packed agenda in the first meeting after summer.
Council meets just once a month during July and August and have now returned to their regular twice monthly schedule.
Council heard from the public to start the meeting. A question was raised whether water utility customers would receive a refund from the municipality considering they haven’t had drinkable water in over a month since the treatment station was struck by lightning.
Mayor Darlene Norman says the Region of Queens won’t be providing a refund as the utility is its own legal entity and rates are set by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
Next council awarded the South Shore Multicultural Association $3,000 from the Community Investment Fund to assist with National Day of Truth and Reconciliation events being held at the Hank Snow Museum at the end of the month.
Council then heard from finance staff who reported the municipality had a $1.6 million operating surplus last year. Mayor Norman says the surplus can be attributed to a number of factors including: $1.2 million in unexpected income from deed transfer tax and investment returns, as well as $400,000 that went unspent on staff positions the Region has been unable to fill.
Two contracts were then awarded following request for proposals involving an evaluation of the Region’s Information Technology systems as well as a staff and council compensation review.
Mayor Norman says it’s been many years since either was properly assessed and the municipality needs to know which IT systems work and why.
The compensation review will be undertaken to determine if staff and council pay are in line with what other municipalities and the private sector are offering.
Council went on to discuss Queens County Rails to Trails and the Queens County ATV Associations’ request to redesignate the trail corridor from West Street, behind the municipal offices building to Silver Rock Road to multi-use. Currently that trail only permits pedestrians, and the organizations would like it opened for off-highway vehicles and bicycles.
The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities will be hosting their fall convention and Region of Queens decided to send five members of council.
Finally, the Region will be applying for intervenor status at an upcoming hearing at the Nova Scotia Aquaculture Board regarding a site expansion at the salmon farm in Liverpool Bay.
The next council meeting will be held September 26 in council chambers beginning at 6:00pm.
To hear the broadcast of this story click play below.
A hearing was held ahead of the council meeting for residents to present their objections to the increase and for the developer to provide their response.
In the end, council decided the developer was following the regulations set out in the municipality’s Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Planning Strategy and denied the resident’s appeal, permitting the construction of the 45 units at the location instead of the initial 36.
The meeting concluded in less than 20 minutes.
The next Region of Queens Council meeting will be held May 23 at 6:00pm in council chambers.
After five meetings and hours of deliberation, the Region of Queens approved the 2023/24 budget at the most recent council meeting Tuesday, April 25.
Between the operating and capital budgets, the water utility and Hillsview Acres, the municipality is projecting $44 million in spending.
The budget includes big ticket items like $8 million for the construction of a new library and outdoor pool without raising property taxes.
We’ll have a more detailed breakdown of the budget later this week.
As the meeting continued, council approved the creation of three new public works positions.
The department will be hiring a Civil Engineering Technologist, Operations Coordinator, and a Survey Technician.
Council then awarded nine different community groups between $1,500 and $10,000 each from the Community Investment Fund.
The money will help the various groups including the Hank Snow Society, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, and this station, QCCR with operational expenses.
The Greenfield Community Park Society were the first-ever recipients of a capital grant from the Community Investment Fund.
The society will receive $32,000 to help offset the $124,000 cost of installing new equipment including: play structures, lighting, a community fireplace and garden behind Greenfield Recreation Centre/Church and the Greenfield School.
Council then agreed to hire Gerald Walsh Associates to conduct the search for a new CAO to replace the outgoing Chris McNeill.
Finally, a request for the construction of a “Little Free Library” was deferred until staff can complete the new policy for placing of memorials in public spaces.
The next Region of Queens Council meeting will be held May 9 at 9:00am in council chambers.
New mixing console ready to be installed. Photo Brian Godfrey
The Region of Queens is providing almost $2,800 in grant money to this station through the Community Investment Fund.
QCCR manager Brian Godfrey says the money will be used to upgrade equipment in the main broadcast studio.
The main mixing console and amplifiers have been in Studio A since the station was launched over 16 years ago.
Godfrey says the equipment still works but as with any technology, it breaks down over time and reliability has become a concern.
“Studio A was always our biggest headache because there’s about, literally, thousands of feet of wire going everywhere in there,” said Godfrey. “We don’t know where it goes so, we had to hire on a couple of broadcast engineers.
The grant will cover half the cost of the new equipment with the rest of the funding coming as a personal loan from several members of the station’s board of directors.
QCCR recently signed a 10-year lease extension at our location on the corner of Market and Main streets in Liverpool.
Upgrading the equipment is part of a larger renovation which will include new flooring, furniture and a fresh coat of paint.
Godfrey says QCCR is a place for residents of Liverpool to hear local voices talking about local issues.
The station is not just a resource for local news, events, and programming but also a destination to hear discussions about Liverpool’s past, present and future.
Godfrey says QCCR is important as it gives community members a voice.
“One thing about the community radio station it’s open to anyone out there that maybe thought, oh, I could be a DJ, I’ve got a voice, but I never thought I could be on the radio,” said Godfrey. “Well, here’s your chance. We’re always looking for volunteers.”
Godfrey says the station will be asking for more funding from the Region in the next budget season to help with the installation costs of the new equipment
If all goes to plan, he expects the renovations and studio equipment will be in place by the end of May.
Anyone interested in volunteering with QCCR can do so by e-mailing Brian Godfrey at: cjqcradio@gmail.com
Region of Queens Administration Building. Photo Ed Halverson
The sale of municipal properties to create affordable housing highlighted the recent Region of Queens council meeting.
Following a public hearing ahead of the meeting, council agreed to sell four parcels of land off Lawrence and Amherst Streets in Liverpool to the Queens Neighbourhood Cooperative Housing Ltd for one dollar.
Fair market value of the properties is estimated around $15,000 but council is permitted to dispose of properties to non-profit organizations for less if there is a community benefit.
Given the lack of affordable housing across the county, Mayor Darlene Norman says council was unanimous in their support of the sale.
“When they’ll break ground, that is uncertain. They’ll have to determine what exactly they want to build and then make a request to council because there may need to be some water/sewer work done in to site that land,” said Norman. “Council is excited about this.”
Council also voted to support the Queens County Track Society up to a quarter million dollars for the construction of new track facilities on the sports field adjacent to Liverpool Regional High School.
The project is eligible for 25 percent of the cost from the Region’s Community Investment Fund.
The final tally on the build is expected to be north of a million dollars and it’s expected the track will pursue funding from the provincial and federal governments.
Norman says the municipal funds won’t be released from the reserve until the society can show they have raised all the money needed to complete construction.
Council then moved into the discussion phase of the meeting.
After a couple of attempts, the committee working to realize the construction of a new pool in Queens now has terms of reference agreed upon by the majority of councillors.
The latest revision puts the committee members’ skills to work but doesn’t require municipal staff time.
The pool committee will also provide updates on their progress to council at regular intervals.
Several policy items were also up for discussion.
First, they reviewed a new policy to establish parameters around the selection, purchase, maintenance, and official removal of public art.
Second, council confirmed their meeting schedule would remain the same as the past year.
Lastly, an updated social media policy was presented and discussed.
All discussion items will return to council at future meetings to be voted upon before being adopted.
The next Region of Queens Council meeting will be in Chambers December 13 beginning at 9:00am.
