The brand new Heavy Rescue Unit replaces Truck #14, which will be sold to the Eel Brook Fire Department for $1

Wednesday, February 13, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. - The Yarmouth Fire Department welcomed its newest member this week: a 2019 Pierce Heavy Rescue unit. The cutting edge unit was manufactured by MAXIMETAL and purchased from Micmac Fire & Safety in Dartmouth. The Pierce Heavy Rescue brings a variety of improvements and features that will make rescue work both safer and more efficient for Town Firefighters.

Yarmouth Fire Chief John Verrall received the unit at the Fire Hall on Monday and expressed excitement over how the truck allows bringing more equipment to a scene, saving critical time. "Put simply, we'll be able to transport more rescue equipment and personnel which makes us faster and more effective once on the scene", said Verrall. "We're now armed with scene lighting which greatly improves our rescue capability in adverse weather conditions and darkness. The unit also has better extraction equipment that requires far less setup making us faster at motor vehicle accidents. We now have far greater storage capacity so we can head out with everything we need without having to return for more equipment."

Further to the advantages of increased carrying capacity, Verrall adds "the unit carries numerous breathing apparatus and air bottles. This completely removes the time we used to need to refill air bottles at a scene using the old cascade air bottle system. It also provides lightweight bottles which use less of our firefighters' energy which helps them recover faster and perform tasks more safely".

The new unit was paid for by Town of Yarmouth at a cost of $690,000 and will serve the entire Yarmouth fire district, which includes a large portion of the Municipality of Yarmouth. The new acquisition demonstrates the Town's commitment to providing a high level of fire services to taxpayers, while also showing fiscal responsibility. The investment was made without incurring debt and required no fundraising.

Fire personnel are currently being trained to drive and fully operate the truck. The unit it replaces - a 1988 GMC 700 tagged as "#14" - will see a new home at the Eel Brook and Districts Fire Department.

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For more information on the manufacturer, MAXIMETAL, visit their website: http://www.maximetal.com/en/about-us.html

For more information on Micmac Fire & Safety Source Ltd., visit their website: https://mmfss.ca/contact/about/

With the possible introduction of new federal/provincial funding streams, Council is seeking the formation of an inter-municipal steering committee to champion a Mariners Centre expansion

Monday, February 11, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. - At a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, a proposal was placed before Council to support the  formation of a steering committee representing the Municipality of Yarmouth, the Municipality of Argyle, and the Town of Yarmouth for the purpose of re-tabling a top priority of all three councils:  Mariners Centre expansion. The special meeting was called on Friday in order to act quickly on possible new federal and provincial funding avenues supporting recreational infrastructure projects of this very nature.

Along with its municipal neighbours, the Town identified an expansion at Mariners Center amongst its top priorities in 2016. While council outlines its own priorities for the Town, the expansion was made a regional priority to address issues with ageing recreation infrastructure as current facilities require extensive upgrades and have little room for growth and expansion. It was also determined that an expansion to the current Centre was important to help reverse a negative trend of population decline. A facility resulting from the proposed expansion would attract working-age people and young professionals and their families to the area.

Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood explains that a unique opportunity has quickly become available, and moving fast is necessary for success. "Funding priorities at the federal and provincial levels don't always match up with regional priorities, whether due to timing or other issues. This situation is the opposite, and if we all work together quickly, this project stands a good chance of coming together. We have to strike while the iron is hot." 

While establishing a steering committee is a key first step, it was stressed that there is considerable work that needs to be completed by such a committee before seeking the funding, including agreements on capital and operations.  The establishment of a fair and equitable formula for funding agreements, which would include variables such as population and uniform assessment, is also an important first step. 

The Town previously set a placeholder of $2.5 million in its capital budget for this project, which includes an aquatic centre. The expansion could be in the range of $35 million, with 73% coming from federal and provincial sources.  Of the local share, the Town of Yarmouth taxpayers could be expected to contribute between $2.5 and $3 million.  Put in another way: $1.00 ‐ $1.20 per day, for one year, for every resident in the town.  Under the proposed funding model, the same cost per person would apply to residents of partner municipalities as well as the Town of Yarmouth.

The motion passed unanimously this morning at the Committee of the Whole meeting.  Council will once again discuss the issue at Thursday night's council meeting and vote on a motion to move it forward to create the proposed steering committee. The other municipal units involved were made aware of the recent developments in funding possibilities, as well as the topics of discussion of today's meeting.

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Town of Yarmouth “Meal-A-Day for 100 Days” program recognized bynational award.

Wednesday, January 30^th, 2019 - Yarmouth, NS – The Town of Yarmouth has been named a finalist for the Municipal Innovation Award, honouring the impacts of their “100 Meal-A-Day” project which addresses food insecurity faced by many local residents.

The Municipal Innovation Award recognizes municipal governments for innovative projects that have made large impacts on their community.  

Mayor Mood says, “While the initial thought was to help folks keep more money in their pockets for extra heating costs over the cold months by providing a meal a day, in the end it turned into an amazing community-building experience for all who attend.  The meals are there for those in need just as much as they are there for seniors who want to get out of their homes and make new friends and folks who simply want to have a ‘meal out’ instead of cooking.  It’s a humbling, beautiful thing to see everyone at the same table.” 

“The Town of Yarmouth has faced incredible challenges and has rallied the community around a project that fills a real need. We love to celebrate governments who are focused on serving their residents well, and as such, the Town of Yarmouth is very deserving of being named a finalist,” says Quinten Griffiths, President of MuniSight, the Award’s sponsor.

The winner of the 2018 Municipal Innovation Award was the District of Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia for their Global Geopark joint-brand campaign. 

 About the Award: The Municipal Innovation Award is granted to a Municipal Government Administration that has successfully implemented an innovative project which has made a positive impact on their community. Our sponsor, MuniSight, is a Canadian municipal services company that focuses on small rural and urban municipalities. 

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 (Photo: Mayor Pam Mood presenting finalist award cheque to HOPE Centre staff/volunteers.  As a finalist in the program, the Town was awarded $500 to donate to a charity its choice.)

John Perozok                   
Municipal Innovation Award
1 (587) 200-0420
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Town of Yarmouth Issues Layoff Notices to Dispatchers, Thanks them for their Service

With the confirmed changeover to Digby Dispatch on January 30th, the Town of Yarmouth has issued layoff notices to its dispatchers

Friday, January 25, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. - Earlier today, the Town of Yarmouth met with its three current dispatch employees to issue formal layoff notices. The last day of work for the dispatchers will be January 30th, which coincides with the change of dispatch service to Digby Dispatch.

The Town had made efforts to save the employment of these individuals but was not able to reach an agreement with the employees’ Union, the International Association of Fire Fighters. The Town has, of course, provided an appropriate termination package to each employee.

The Town again wishes to thank the dispatchers for their years of dedication and service.

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Town of Yarmouth Contracts Fire Dispatch Services to Digby

Effective January 30th, emergency dispatch services for the Town of Yarmouth will be provided by the Municipality of the District of Digby Emergency Dispatch Centre

Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. -  At Wednesday morning's Committee of the Whole meeting, the Town of Yarmouth approved a proposal to contract emergency dispatch services to the Municipality of the District of Digby Emergency Dispatch Centre. Council voted unanimously to outsource the service to Digby, with the change of service effective January 30th.

Dispatch-Service-Provider-Release.pdf

The Town of Yarmouth is pleased to announce the launch of our public Transit System with service commencing Monday, February 1, 2016. See full press release below.

pdf Press Release Transit System (29 KB)