The Record Episode 19

In episode 19 of The Record, Civic Journalist Jake Boudrot attended the regular monthly session of Port Hawkesbury Town Council on September 3 and spoke with Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton following the meeting, discussing key decisions made in preparation for the upcoming municipal election.

With the October election on the horizon, town councillors agreed to hold advance polls on Saturday, October 12, and Tuesday, October 15. Election day is set for Saturday, October 19. The new council, once elected, will have 60 days to approve a fresh Code of Conduct policy. CAO Terry Doyle informed the council that all candidates have been provided with a framework policy from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing, which any new regulations must adhere to.

A pivotal issue for the town is the plebiscite asking residents whether to keep the current alignment of Reeves Street or revert it to the four-lane configuration of past years. In response, the council voted to hold a public meeting on Thursday, October 3, to gather community input. Engineers from Nova Scotia Public Works will be in attendance to provide expert insight on the matter, according to Doyle.

In other decisions, the council voted to raise the income threshold for the town's low-income tax exemption, making it more accessible to residents. The threshold, which has not changed since 2019, will now include residents earning $27,000 or less annually, an increase from the previous cap of $24,000. This change, discussed at the August 6 special meeting, aims to benefit more people in the community, with Doyle emphasizing its significance for the town’s lower-income population.

Port Hawkesbury Town Council also expressed support for the formation of a new not-for-profit housing organization. The Strait Area Chamber of Commerce will contribute $2,500 to the initiative, with an additional $2,500 coming from the Municipality of the County of Richmond. Doyle explained that establishing a non-profit entity is crucial for securing government funding for local housing projects. Despite a dissenting vote from Councillor Hughie MacDougall—who raised concerns about financial dependencies between municipalities—council approved the motion. Deputy Mayor Mark MacIver also put forward a successful motion to ensure equal representation between the town and Richmond County in the organization’s structure.

In a post-meeting interview, Boudrot spoke with Terence Matthews, a candidate for Port Hawkesbury Town Council. Matthews, who has navigated life in a wheelchair, shared his passion for improving the town’s accessibility. “I’ve always been in a wheelchair, and there’s a lot of struggles with that, especially growing up in the country and getting around town,” he said. “I’m very passionate about trying to fix things so everyone can get out to where they need to go.”

The episode concluded with an interview featuring another council candidate, Todd Barrett. Reflecting on his experience in business, Barrett highlighted the importance of relationship-building in leadership. “In business, you foster relationships with customers, staff, and manufacturers. I want to harness that relationship-building to work with fellow councillors and make the town a better place,” Barrett remarked.