Dan McDougall photo from LinkedIn

A temporary replacement has been found to step in as the Region of Queens looks for a new Chief Administrative Officer.

The former CAO of the Municipality of the District of Chester Dan McDougall will assume the role until a permanent replacement is found for the outgoing CAO of Queens, Chris McNeill.

McNeill gave notice in March that he would be resigning to take up the same position for Annapolis County.

McNeill has been the CAO for Queens since January 9, 2019.

Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman is excited to land an interim CAO with McDougall’s experience to fill in while the Region continues their search.

“When a CAO is needed, it’s often CAOs who have retired because they can slip in the role and they have a sense of understanding of the Municipal Government Act, etc,” said Norman.

In addition to his time in Chester, MacDougall also served as CAO for Colchester, the CEO of Housing Nova Scotia and was Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs.

The Chief Administrative Officer oversees all employees in the Region and is the only employee a municipal council can directly hire or fire.

At the latest meeting, Region of Queens Council decided the search for a permanent CAO will be conducted by Gerald Walsh Associates.

Interim CAO McDougall will start May 8 and McNeill’s last day is May 12.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.

Region of Queens Council. Photo Region of Queens

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.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.