As always, I encourage you to watch the entire meeting.

PUBLIC HEARINGS
245 Robie Street (1m 31s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=1m31s
This Development Agreement (DA) Amendment is to allow a fourth pad mount site at The Hub Shopping Centre, with a proposed usage of an oil change business. At https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=11m37s 11m 37s, I repeated my questions from the PAC meetings to ensure they were on record at the Public Hearing. These were environmental concerns, and the reduction of parking and the applicants view that our parking requirements are too high. I had no new concerns, nor had I heard from constituents with new concerns. There were no comments from the gallery. Request For Decision (RFD) to follow in the subsequent Public Council meeting.

730 Young Street (16m 38s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=16m38s
This DA is for a residential mix of apartment buildings and stacked townhouses consisting of 281 units, 362 vehicle parking spaces, and 9,430 m2 of amenity space. I had received comments from constituents whom I advised to email the Town to have a letter read at the Public Hearing. At https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=29m03s 29m 03s, I asked if we had received any such correspondence, and we hadn’t. I thus opened with a summary of those constituent comments, consisting of maintaining a 20-30’ tree barrier to preserve our wilderness space, ongoing development and water reservoir impacts, impacts to Emergency Services such as Fire and Police, overcrowding of schools and response from CCRCE, and a definition for stacked townhouses.

There were several comments from the gallery starting at 57m 35s discussing: water supply; lack of sidewalks; safety in case of fires and wildfires; impact to residents; accessibility; impact to residents in lowlands from stormwater runoff and sewage lines; how children are getting to school from these developments; and reiteration about lack of sidewalks.

PUBLIC MEETING
RFD: 730 Young Street (1h 24m 21s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=1h24m21s
There was short discussion in the Public Hearing about Affordable Housing after the topic was raised by Councillor Talbot (see 49m 55s), and Councillor Graham asked about delaying the vote until the Affordable Housing Framework is adopted. This led to a lengthy discussion regarding affordable housing, a critical topic so I encourage everyone to watch the entire discussion. I weighed in at 1h 30m 35s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=1h30m35s to stress the length of the delays on the Affordable Housing Framework as a separate document from the Municipal Planning Strategy that was passed two years ago to the month. Motion carried unanimously. There is a 14-day appeal period.

RFD 245 Robie Street (1h 44m 23s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=1h44m23s
There was only short discussion on the motion to approved the amended DA for Tier Too Properties to allow a 4th pad mount site, and the motion carried unanimously. There is a 14-day appeal period.

RFD: Central Nova Scotia Tourism Development Society Operating Agreement (1h 47m 28s) 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=1h47m28s
This initiative has been in progress for quite some time, and is related to the Strategic Tourism Expansion Plan (STEP). Motion carried unanimously. 

RFD: Application to Amend Water Utility Rules for Water Conservation Measures (1h 50m 28s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=1h50m28s
Water conservation is a frequent topic of discussion, and the Water Utility seeks an amendment to their rules to allow them to enforce water conservation measures. While I agree that such a tool is necessary, I asked at 1h 53m 31s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=1h53m31s about the measurement of restrictions, how we’re identifying offenders, and the enforcement of the new rule. Motion carried unanimously.

RFD: Capital Reallocation (2h 02m 39s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h02m39s
In short, the motion is to allocate some of the contingency fund to three projects that had been completed but not in the planned budget. Motion carried unanimously.

In-Camera Summary (2h 05m 48s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h02m39s
There’s no substance here, just to highlight that Council met in-camera 3 times and had an additional in-camera following the Public Council meeting.

Department Reports:
CAO (2h 06m 32s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h06m32s
CAO Dolter reported on: joint-council meeting with County Council; naming contest for the Ford Street Park run by the African Nova Scotia Community Strategy Committee; No 2 Construction Battalion Athletic Facility dedication on November 8; and meetings he’s attended regarding Capital Forecast review, Canadian Housing Infrastructure Review; the revocation of the RECC Operating Agreement by the Municipality of the County of Colchester Council; provision of regional specialized police services; and Climate Risk and Resiliency Planning.

Corporate Services (2h 24m 40s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h24m40s
Director Russel provides her monthly financial update to Council. The Town continues to operate within budget.

Fire Services (2h 28m 53s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h28m53s
Fire Chief Currie provides his monthly report to Council.

Planning and Development (2h 29m 47s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aPIfWM21DGA&t=2h29m47s
Director Fox provides his monthly update to Council on development agreements (DA’s), site-plan approvals, and active bylaw complaints. I had questions at 2h 31m 40s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h31m40s about updates for outdated bylaws (example: https://truro.ca/government/by-laws/441-streets-maintenance-and-care-of/file.html created in 1916).

Police Services (2h 33m 37s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h33m37s
Police Chief MacNeil presents his monthly update to Council. My questions at 2h 23m 57s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aPIfWM21DGA&t=2h23m57s regarding classification of Motor Vehicle Act infractions.

Engineering and Public Works (2h 35m 15s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h35m15s
Director Browning highlighted progress on capital projects, infrastructure maintenance, asset management, and water conservation. At 2h 39m 41s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h39m41s I followed up on asset management as it relates to sidewalk accessibility, as well as the impact of adopting a Regional Accessibility Plan as it relates to Public Works’ day-to-day operations. I also followed up on plans to add accessibility to Victoria Park from Camden Road to assist in fighting future wildfires. 

My fellow Councillors had some questions about sidewalks and accessibility, and at 2h 52m 40s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h52m40s I had follow-up comments on the legality of crosswalks, and that we should prioritize shorter distances for those travelling under their own power, especially when a motorist has incredible power available at the flex of a foot. Regarding an inventory of inaccessible sidewalks, Mr. Browning indicated that public feedback on sidewalk issues is welcomed, send emails PublicWorks@truro.ca. You can also CC me at Ian.McGrath@truro.ca.

Parks, Recreation, & Culture (2h 54m 25s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h54m25s
Director Simms provides her monthly update on Professional Development sessions, maintenance downtown and on trails, pump track construction update, the Senior A Bearcats hockey team home opener, No. 2 Construction Battalion Athletic Facility updates, Remembrance Day commemoration, and more. At 2h 58m 44s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=2h58m44s I inquired about an estimated end-date for the pump track completion, which should be in another 3-4 weeks. I also commented that it seemed that Senior Staff were answering many of my questions before I could ask them, and I appreciate the detail in their reports.

Questions by Members (3h 00m 17s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=3h00m17s
Mayor Hinton noted that our Truro 150 Soup Lunch is planned for Sunday, November 9 from 11am - 1pm at Truro Fire Services community room. We look forward to seeing you there!

At 3h 01m 32s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=3h01m32s I asked about progress on getting a meeting with Council, CN, and MP Hirtle to discuss replacement option for the crossing behind Truro Centre Mall that was removed in August. A motion was passed to give CAO Dolter direction to setup the meeting. A meeting with Mr. Bateman of CN has now been confirmed for Thursday, November 6.

New Business
RFD: Heritage Advisory Committee Request (3h 06m 27s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=3h06m27s
Colchester Historeum is seeking access to all Town Council meeting minutes since 1950 for preservation and digitization. Motion carried unanimously.

RFD: Noise Control By-law Exemption (3h 07m 35s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=3h07m35s
Application from property owner on Curtis Drive to be exempt from noise bylaws for a private wedding reception to play in the backyard from 8:00pm - 11:59pm. At 3h 08m 52s https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=3h08m52s I inquired of an appeals process for any neighbours who did not sign the supporting petition, and there is none. Motion passed unanimously.

Election of Deputy Mayor (3h 10m 04s)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jxwMu-bpZdg&t=3h10m04s
This is the annual election of the one-year term of Deputy Mayor. I nominated current Deputy Mayor Bill Thomas to continue in the position, and he was elected via acclamation. Congratulations, Deputy Mayor.

Meeting adjourned at 4:11pm.

Council Recap November 3, 2025