For Darlene Norman, the mayor of the Area of Queens Municipality (RQM), 2021 was a yr weighted with challenges, however one which noticed accomplishments as effectively.
Norman most well-liked to guide off a latest new yr’s reflection in an interview with LighthouseNOW with the previous yr’s accomplishments.
“I feel the highest of the listing could be the announcement of our new 96-bed residential care facility. That was principally because of the cooperation between ourselves and Queens Manor. Had we not had that partnership we'd not be the place we're with that,” stated the mayor.
The brand new facility, which is able to substitute Queens Manor and Hillsview Acres, is anticipated to be accomplished in 2024.
Amongst different highlights, stated Norman, was the partnership with Autism Nova Scotia on the newly named Etli Militamk Queens Universally-Designed Playpark. The fundraising effort surpassed expectations, bringing in $600,000 for the brand new park which shall be constructed this summer time.
She additionally opined that the set up of the Grand Council flag on the RQM administrative workplace recognizing First Nations as a stage of presidency was excessive on the listing of accomplishments, as was the declaration of Sept. 30 as a civic vacation to watch Reality and Reconciliation Day.
The filling of the Liverpool Enterprise Improvement Centre, the previous residence of the HGS Name Centre, with Belliveau Veinotte and the World Empire Company name centre, is one other improvement price acknowledging, the mayor advised. To that she added the completion of broadband installations in North and South Queens; granting approvals for a 36-unit condominium constructing for Liverpool; the Save Cash Mondays periods initiative; and the set up of the Mobi-Mat at Seaside Meadows seaside.
CHALLENGES
RQM’s mayor deemed one of many large quandaries of the yr was the inflow of individuals, which spurred a rise in development. Though that each one feels like an excellent downside to have, a scarcity of municipal workers to course of the pink tape concerned has bogged issues down.
“We've got no improve in workers within the planning division in any respect. We’re nonetheless on the lookout for a planner and constructing inspector,” she stated. “There’s been an unprecedented improve in constructing allow requests and subdividing properties. After I look and see the personal excavators and dump vans heading in all instructions, there’s a variety of improvement happening on this county, and we wish to sustain with it in a well timed method.”
The mayor famous that RQM used to course of a constructing allow in lower than 10 days, and now it may be as much as six or eight weeks.
In keeping with the accelerated improvement difficulty, workers and council members have been specializing in RQM’s new Municipal Planning Technique and Land Use Bylaw, which has been within the works for the previous few years and is anticipated to come back ahead on the finish of January.
Norman defined that with the adoption of this doc there's a variety of work that must be executed by constructing inspectors and planners.
Beginning final February, consideration has additionally been given to a brand new noise bylaw which handed by the primary studying at council in December.
In the meantime, the municipality had been gradual to discover a answer to the shortage of an operator for the Queens Place Emera Centre canteen. On the time of talking with the mayor, it appeared the area had lastly succeeded to find somebody to tackle the position. Nevertheless the businessman enlisted — Stewart Jenkins, the proprietor of Stew’s Nook Comfort & Gasoline in Greenfield — subsequently ended the association citing a straight eight-week loss amid more durable COVID-19 pandemic laws.
Similar to each different municipality RQM has been pressured to take care of the fallout of the pandemic.
“Everybody has the identical COVID-19 points. It’s an enormous problem and we've got to work by our operation at Queen’s Place Emera Centre and Hillsview Acres,” stated Norman. “Making an attempt to maintain workers, purchasers and clients secure on this current actuality (is) very troublesome. It’s an enormous problem for everybody.”
Wanting forward, Norman stated work will proceed on planning for the brand new residential care facility and she or he seems to be ahead to the completion of the play park.
Past that, she stated, the council is ready on finances negotiations to find out what capital initiatives could be addressed. The finances is often unveiled on the finish of March or in early April.
“Proper now there's nothing slated, no plans till the finances is full,” stated the mayor.