Latest news with #CBRM
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
CBRM to realize $5M benefit after outsourcing handling of recyclables, composting
Cape Breton Regional Municipality is planning to outsource the handling of recycling products and composting materials, but an official says residents will still be putting out blue bags and green bins. "Everything goes to the curb the same as it always did before," CBRM public works director John Phalen told CBC's Information Morning Cape Breton. "We're just changing the way that we process it." Council voted Tuesday to gradually close down the composting facility in Sydney, N.S., at the solid waste site on Sydney Port Access Road, and to sell its recycling sorting facility in nearby Point Edward as a going concern. Phalen said both moves will save the municipality a total of about $2.5 million in annual operating costs, provide a cash injection from the sale of the recycling facility, which has been appraised at $890,000, and increase the commercial tax base once the recycling operation is sold. The recycling facility alone was costing CBRM about $1 million annually to operate, he said, adding the municipality simply wasn't able to find a market for the products collected in blue bags. In the meantime, a large company that already processes recyclables has expressed interest in purchasing the municipality's processing operation in Point Edward. "It's best for us to get out of that business and turn it over to a larger firm that can do it and maybe with the larger volumes, it makes sense … but for us it didn't make sense," said Phalen. With the province implementing extended producer responsibility — known as EPR — in January, manufacturers of packaging and other materials will be responsible for the cost of processing. The government will collect fees from producers and hand them over to processors and municipalities that collect blue bags. In addition to the savings, Phalen said CBRM expects to earn about $2.5 million for collecting blue bags, which he said will more than cover the cost. Composting facility facing repairs Closing the composting facility also makes sense, because it was facing about $1 million in repairs and upgrades and was not operating efficiently, Phalen said. Residents living nearby and shoppers at nearby retail stores regularly complained about the smell and the final product was not an agricultural grade compost, he said. The municipality regularly holds a free compost giveaway for residents and sends the rest to the landfill site in Guysborough County. Phalen said CBRM is already paying for the trucking, but processing compostables just wasn't working. "It looks better for us if we can send our compost off-island to have it processed at the landfill at Guysborough," he said. "They will do the processing for us." Unanimous vote Phalen said staff would not lose their jobs, but they would be reassigned to other duties. Between the expected revenues from EPR and operational cost savings, CBRM's bottom line is improving and councillors were unanimously in favour when Phelan recommended the changes at Tuesday's committee of the whole meeting. "You might just have to stand up there all day, because the longer you talk, the more money we're saving," said Coun. Glenn Paruch. "In all seriousness, this sounds like a great idea." Coun. Dave MacKeigan was the first to point out that the savings and new revenue add up to about $5 million a year and said that was amazing. Mayor Cecil Clarke agreed, but said there are already demands for more spending on roads, sidewalks and other projects. "When we talk savings, it's already spoken for," he said. "It's just a question of what decision.
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Glace Bay volunteer fire dept turns over budget to CBRM
The rising cost of running a fire department is forcing the Glace Bay volunteer service to hand over its operating budget to CBRM. As Kyle Moore reports, they're not the only department having financial problems.
CBC
29-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Sydney waterfront businesses get green light to reopen
As Matthew Moore reports, the move comes as a surprise after CBRM told them all to close last fall.
Hamilton Spectator
05-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Membertou gets first bus service
Chief Terry Paul stood at the podium beaming Friday morning as he told the crowd standing by a new all-equipped, accessible CBRM transit bus, that a long-standing vision he has had for Membertou is now realized. Beginning Monday, May 5, a new route 12 will serve the First Nation community providing public transit from downtown Sydney to Sydney River and back for the first time in its history. Chief Paul described a scene from his youth when there was a constant transportation challenge getting from Membertou to the bingo hall in Whitney Pier – a weekly joy and pastime for many. 'But now,' he said, 'one of our own stops will be right here in Membertou in front of our own bingo hall!' He said the new route will be a relief for those who face transportation challenges and will provide easy and accessible connections to other parts of Sydney. Two of those people happy to hear on Friday about a bus service starting in Membertou are George Christmas and Lizette Dennis. 'We're really happy to hear about this,' said Christmas. Dennis said a local bus service in and out of downtown Sydney and over to Sydney River will make a big difference in her life. She says she has to walk everywhere now. 'We can get a bus now in Membertou instead of walking back and forth to town,' said Christmas. 'It's summer now, but this is going to make a big difference in the winter when it's colder.' 'This new bus route has been a longtime goal for Membertou, and we're proud to partner with the CBRM to make public transportation more accessible for our community. It strengthens connections, supports our workforce, and brings us one step closer to truly welcoming the world,' said the Chief and CEO of Membertou. He said he looks forward to the opportunity to take a bus beginning next week. CBRM did some test runs in February before finalizing the route. Notice of the non-operational runs on Facebook brought huge support from community members for the route. 'This would be great for the community if we did get public transit,' said Membertou resident Deanna Joe in February. 'So many people rely on cabs or walking to get basic needs like groceries. This could also break down barriers of not being able to work off-reserve due to transportation issues.' The initiative is a partnering between the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) and the community of Membertou. Mayor Cecil Clarke and some CBRM staff were also on hand to welcome the new service, as well as MP Mike Kelloway and CBRM councillor Dave MacKeigan. 'The expanded service aims to support access to employment, education, healthcare, and commercial areas while strengthening connections between Membertou and the surrounding parts of the municipality. This expansion also reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering strong relationships and ensuring that all residents have access to the services and opportunities they need,' said CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke. Route 12, which has two-way service between Sydney and Sydney River, will now include 36 new bus stops in Membertou; 18 in each direction. The updated route will travel from Sydney to Membertou to Sydney River, and back again from Sydney River to Membertou to Sydney, with the change taking effect on May 5. The bus will run every half hour, Monday to Saturday. Fares for Membertou:
CBC
10-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Nova Scotia says long-awaited traffic safety changes to come next year
Long-awaited traffic safety improvements that might allow cameras to catch speeding drivers rather than police could be coming to Nova Scotia next year. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley wrote to municipalities on March 25 asking for their input on road safety issues. Although the Traffic Safety Act was passed in 2018 with the intent to replace the outdated Motor Vehicle Act, government officials have said it's been complicated to actually bring into law. In his letter, Tilley said that implementing the bill as "originally envisioned would take several more years." Given the importance of the issue, he said, they are trying to find ways to bring in "modern traffic safety legislation" sooner rather than later. Tilley's letter does not specify which parts of the bill would come first, or if there would be any new additions. He only wrote that the initiatives would have a "limited impact on drivers but would mean some changes for municipalities and law enforcement." A provincial spokesperson said the revised act and regulations are expected to be ready in 2026. "It's good to hear that there's some movement and seems to be some fresh commitment from the provincial government to finally deliver this really important piece of work," Halifax Coun. Sam Austin, who is also chair of the city's transportation committee, said Wednesday. "It has been quite a while since this was passed, and there's pieces of it that we're really waiting on." The act includes better regulations dealing with distracted driving, and doubles fines for collisions that seriously injure or kill vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians. But Austin is hoping one of the first changes would be to allow municipalities to use photo radar, which Halifax has requested for years. Rather than relying on police to enforce speed limits, the technology detects and captures images of speeding drivers and issues tickets to the registered vehicle owner. "An officer can't be on duty in a spot all the time, whereas the camera [is] always on, always there, always active, always doing its thing to reduce speeding. They're not always necessarily popular, but they work," said Austin. Automating speeding tickets would free up traffic officers to better focus their time and attention on distracted or impaired drivers, Austin said. Tilley's letter said the province is planning "detailed, collaborative and confidential" conversations with municipalities about their needs and concerns on traffic safety. He said that MQO Research will facilitate those discussions and organize engagement sessions over the coming months. Austin said Halifax city staff have told the province they want to take part in these discussions, while Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillors spoke about the issue at a recent committee of the whole meeting. CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke said councillors heard from residents in budget sessions throughout the municipality that road safety issues are a major concern. "We're going to take those priorities of citizens and reflect them in this dialogue with the province," Clarke told reporters on April 1. Clarke said they would also welcome photo radar, but council will have a lengthier discussion about their top priorities at a later date. CBC asked to speak with the president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities on the consultation, but that request was declined. A spokesperson said the federation is "still gathering information" and will have a response after they have more details.
