Seulement disponible en anglais pour le moment

Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Réanne Evans, Danny Hill, Réanne Cooper, Carl Deveau, Steven Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Director of Finance, Christien Deveau
Presenters: Clare Firefighters Association (CFFA) – Nick Power and Shawn Craven
ABSENT:

1) Call to Order
The Warden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

2) Approval of the Agenda

MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the proposed agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.

4) Presentations
4.1 Clare Firefighters Association (CFFA) – Nick Power and Shawn Craven
Nick Power and Shawn Craven of the Clare Firefighters Association presented an overview of the Association’s activities since their October 2025 presentation to Council.  (See attached).

5) Staff Reports  
5.1 Financial Update – Christien Deveau, Director of Finance
The Director of Finance provided an overview of the Municipality’s financial position. (See attached)

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) NEW BUSINESS

7.1 Pedestrian Crossing, Villa d’la Baie
In response to a request received by Council for a pedestrian crossing at the Villa d`la Baie, the matter was referred to NS Public Works. A review was conducted by Doug Pulsifer, District Traffic Supervisor with NS Public Works. In considering approvals for pedestrian crossings, NS Public Works refers to the Third Edition of the TAC Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide for guidance. The primary goal of the Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide is to promote uniformity in the provision of pedestrian crossings on provincial roads.

The guide states a minimum traffic volume of 1,500 vehicles per day is required in conjunction with an average of 100 pedestrians over a seven-hour count period within a single day. These stated amounts demonstrate there are sufficient traffic and pedestrian volumes to warrant a crosswalk at the proposed location.

According to the traffic counts conducted by NS Public Works, there were 2,040 vehicles per day, sufficient to meet the aforementioned guidelines. However, in its pedestrian volume investigation, NS Public Works captured no pedestrians crossing at the location in question and as such, concluded that a crosswalk is not warranted.

While Council is not contesting these findings or the department’s conclusion, it has asked the CAO to follow-up with NS Public Works to see if any thought is given to the users of the crosswalk (i.e., vulnerable populations) when considering these types of requests. In this case, the primary users being seniors residing at the Villa d’la Baie, many of which have mobility issues.

7.2 Intersection of Eustache Comeau Road and Highway 1
Following a number of vehicular accidents at the intersection of Eustache Comeau Road and Highway 1, Council requested a safety review of said intersection. NS Public Works complied with this request, and a safety review was conducted by Doug Pulsifer, District Traffic Supervisor with NS Public Works.

According to Mr. Pulsifer, the open frontage of the Parish Hall towards Eustache Comeau Rd and Highway 1 creates difficulty in defining the intersection and without a designated hall entrance, it allows vehicles to enter and exit the hall parking lot from any direction.  This existing layout forces the stop sign to be located 30 meters back from the intersection when it should be no more than 5 meters. 

Three scenarios were presented to mitigate the current safety risks with the recommended solution being to extend the curbing and sidewalk along Highway 1 up to Eustache Comeau Road, and move the stop sign closer to the intersection. Doing so would provide a physical barrier to entry of the lot and provide a safety separation from traffic for pedestrians. It would also provide positive guidance for motorists as it would represent a “normal” intersection with proper lane widths and a correctly located stop sign thereby reducing driver confusion and indecision. Lastly, it is the position of NS Public Works that these physical changes would be more effective than traffic lights or signals in mitigating the aforementioned safety issues.

The CAO will look to incorporate these recommendations into the Municipality’s 2026-27 capital budgeting exercise and coordinate the timing of these works with NSW Public Works’ planned repairs to Eustache Comeau Road.

7.3 Letter – Capital Funding, Université Sainte-Anne
The Municipality traditionally allows for $50,000 in its annual operating budget to assist Université Sainte-Anne with needed additions and/or repairs to recreational infrastructure (i.e., pool, rink, etc.). Larger infrastructure projects (i.e. construction of the new track and field) in excess of this $50,000 allocation are treated on a case-by-case basis. Since 2024-25, the Municipality has contributed $210,000 to the University - $100,000 for the rink, $60,000 for the pool, and $50,000 for a 5-year sponsorship of the Dragons sports program. As part of its recently launched capital financing campaign, Université Sainte President, Kenneth Deveau, has asked if the Municipality could confirm its $50,000 annual contribution in writing for the next three year. Whereas this request aligns with the Municipality`s current practice and focuses specifically on recreational infrastructure which benefits the larger

community, the CAO is recommending Council issue a letter confirming the funding in question. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:     

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to Université Sainte-Anne confirming the Municipality of Clare’s annual funding contribution of $50,000 for the next three years.
MOTION CARRIED

7.4 Letter – Paul LaFleche, Deputy Minister, NS Municipal Affairs
The CAO presented a letter from Paul LaFleche, Deputy Minister of NS Municipal Affairs (See attached).

The Municipality has previously benefitted from all 4 programs identified in the letter. Unfortunately, these have all been eliminated as part of the 2026-27 provincial budget. Ongoing municipal projects will not be impacted by these cuts.

7.5 NSFM Spring Conference 2026
The 2026 NSFM Spring Conference is being held in Yarmouth from April 29^th to May 1^st. Councillors wishing to attend are asked to advise the CAO as soon as possible.

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None. 

9) Closed Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Steven Comeau that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Personnel Matters

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

9) Date and Time of the Next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on April 1, 2026, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Evans to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm.

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant