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Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, February 11, 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, Réanne Cooper, Carl Deveau, Steven Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, Communications Officer, Anique Dugas, and Director of Finance, Christien Deveau
Presenters:
ABSENT: Councillor Danny Hill
1) Call to Order
The Warden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) Approval of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following items be added to the agenda:
- 7.6 Radar Speed Sign
- 7.7 Invitation - Fire Modernization Planning Session
- 7.8 Letter of Support - Accessibility Funding, Salmon River Fire Department
- 9.2 Acquisition and Sale of Municipal Property
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted additions.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.
4) Presentations
None.
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 Municipal Profile and Financial Condition Indicators 2023-24
The CAO provided an overview of the Municipality’s 2023-24 Profile and Financial Condition Indicators, as provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs (See attached). As per the report, the Municipality’s financial position is sound.
7.2 Funding Request – La P’tite Académie
The CAPENÉ is seeking funding to assist with the costs associated with the construction of a new, inclusive, and accessible playground for children aged 3 months to 5 years at the Baie Sainte-Marie School in Saulnierville. Given the importance of this playground to the continued provision of childcare services in the community, the CAO is a recommending a contribution of $10,000 under the Municipality’s 2026-27 Grants to Organizations Program. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Evans and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving a grant of $10,000 to the CAPENÉ to assist with the costs associated with the construction of a new, inclusive, and accessible playground for children aged 3 months to 5 years at the Baie Sainte-Marie School in Saulnierville and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s 2026-27 Grants to Organizations Program, conditional upon confirmation of the balance of project funding.
MOTION CARRIED
7.3 Brush Cutting along Public Roads – NS Public Works
Councillor Réanne Evans has been contacted by a number of her constituents concerned with the brush cutting practices employed by Nova Scotia Public Works. More specifically, these practices are felt to be overly aggressive, needlessly damaging to the vegetation, and showing a complete lack care and/or concern for community aesthetics. As such, Councillor Evans is requesting Council communicate in writing with NS Public Works to advise them of these concerns and ask them to reevaluate their brush cutting practices. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works asking them to reevaluate their brush cutting practices and to explore alternative methods that better balance safety requirements with environmental responsibility and community appearance.
MOTION CARRIED
7.4 Youth Summit – Youth Wellbeing Network
The Youth Wellbeing Network is hosting a Youth Summit on April 24, 2026, at the NSCC Burridge Campus. Approximately 120 Youth from across Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne Counties will come together to identify and address unique challenges and opportunities within their communities and to leave inspired and equipped with the tools, confidence, and networks to take action. One of the goals of the Youth Summit is to engage both youth and municipal leaders in meaningful conversations and identify key community issues and needs from multiple perspectives. As part of this event, municipal units are each being asked to identify two councillors willing to participate. Participation will involve a 45-minute morning session for councillors on youth engagement, followed by lunch with youth participants and a 1-hour facilitated conversation.
Councillors wishing to participate in this event are asked to advise the CAO at their earliest convenience.
7.5 Letter of Support – Association des Familles Acadiennes de Port Royal
L’Association des Familles Acadiennes de Port Royal is requesting a letter from the Municipality in support of its efforts to construct a commemorative monument at the Fort Anne National Historic Site, in honor of the first Acadian parish in Port Royal. After reviewing the material provided by the Association, Council made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter in support of the project put forward by l’Association des Familles Acadiennes de Port-Royal for the construction of a commemorative monument at the Fort Anne National Historic Site, in honor of the first Acadian parish in Port Royal.
MOTION CARRIED
7.6 Radar Speed Sign
The Municipality’s current radar speed sign has proven itself a valuable deterrent to speeding and a very useful source of information for the RCMP. At its February 9th meeting, the Police Advisory Board passed a motion recommending Council purchase a second Evolution 12 Radar Speed Sign from Absolute Traffic and Sign Solutions, for use in the community. Council subsequently 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 purchasing a second radar speed sign from Absolute Traffic and Sign Solutions in the amount of $4,198.00 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED
7.7 Invitation - Fire Modernization Planning Session
As a follow-up to the recommendations put forward in its fire service review the NS Department of Municipal Affairs and the NS Department of Emergency Management are inviting municipal elected officials and CAOs to attend one of two virtual fire modernization planning sessions. The first will be held on February 17th at 2:30 pm. The second session is scheduled for February 18th at 6:30 pm.
7.8 Letter of support Accessibility Funding – Salmon River Fire Department
The Salmon River Fire Department is requesting a letter from the Municipality in support of its application to the Community ACCESS-Ability Program, for funding to assist with the installation of accessible door openers at the Salmon River Fire Hall. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter in support of the Salmon River Fire Department’s application to the Community ACCESS-Ability Program, for funding to assist with the installation of accessible door openers at the Salmon River Fire Hall.
MOTION CARRIED
8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None
9) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that Council proceed to Closed Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics Discussed:
9.1 Personnel Matters
9.2 Acquisition and Sale of Municipal Property
PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
PROPOSED BY Councillor Steven Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare, in accordance with section 134 (3) of the Municipal Government Act of Nova Scotia, recommend deferring tax sale proceedings for AAN #01204181 for six months, as per the agreed upon tax payment arrangement.
MOTION CARRIED
9) Date and Time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on March 4, 2026, at 7:00 pm.
10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Evans to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 pm.
Submitted by
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant