Welcome to the Town of Yarmouth
On the Edge of Everywhere
Committees
Much of the Town Council's work takes place through a variety of committees, most notably the Committee of the Whole, which consists only of councillors. To assist the Town Council in making informed decisions, Council also appoints people to a variety of Citizen Advisory Committees and Municipal Corporations and Boards.
Directory of Committees
The Town of Yarmouth's citizen committees provide advice and feedback to town council and advisory committees on a variety of issues, including heritage and culture, emergency management, downtown and the environment; whereas boards have the autonomy to make decisions for the good of their organizations. Check out our full Directory of Committees, including mandates, appointees, and key contacts. Each advisory committee and board also has at least one representative from Town Council.
You can find an advanced search of past reports and meeting minutes at Agendas, Minutes & Livestream.
Get Involved!
Do you want to play a role in Town of Yarmouth's future? Citizens and community members can get involved in civic life through our citizen committees and boards. Communication supports are available to committee/board members (and guests) upon request. If you require assistance to take part in a meeting or event, please call (902) 742-8565 or email admin@townofyarmouth.ca
If you are looking for more information on how to apply to be a member of a committee, please visit Citizen Appointments.
Citizen Appointments
“There are two very rewarding parts to belonging to an advisory committee. On a personal level, you learn so much about the town and its workings and, secondly, you have a voice and potentially make a positive impact on your community." – Sonia Ryan, Police Advisory Board citizen appointee
The Council appoints citizens to a variety of Citizen Advisory Committees and Municipal Corporations and Boards. This is an amazing opportunity for you to bring your skills and experience to the table, and make a real difference in the lives of your fellow Yarmouthians!
In order to apply for a committee or board, you need to complete an application form identifying the Committee or Board you want to be appointed to, as well as relevant background information to assist Council in understanding the strengths you would bring to the table. Council normally gives preference to residents and/or taxpayers of the Town of Yarmouth when making appointments. To ensure as many opportunities as possible for people to get involved, Council will normally only appoint a citizen to one committee or board. Open positions will be posted on News & Notices.
Town Council has an appointed nominating committee, which assesses advisory committee applications on the basis of diverse representation of the community, expertise/interest in an issue or topic area, and in regard to each advisory committee's terms of reference. From there, the committee presents Council with a list of qualified candidates for each committee.
Our Policies
Please find below our Citizen Appointment Process Policy and Citizen Advisory Process Policy
Apply for a Committee
Police Advisory Board
The Police Advisory Board provides advice to the Council in relation to the enforcement of law, the maintenance of law and order, and the prevention of crime in the municipality. Its role is to:
- Determine, in consultation with the Chief Officer or the Chief Officer's designate, priorities, objectives and goals respecting police services in the community.
- Ensure the Chief Officer establishes programs and strategies to implement the priorities, objectives and goals respecting police services.
- Ensure that community needs and values are reflected in policing priorities, objectives, goals, programs and strategies.
- Ensure that police services are delivered in a manner consistent with community values, needs and expectations.
- Act as a conduit between the community and the Yarmouth Town RCMP.
- Recommend policies, administrative and organizational direction for the effective management of the Yarmouth Town RCMP.
- Review with the Chief Officer or the Chief Officer's designate information provided by the Chief Officer respecting complaints and internal discipline.
You can download the application PDF below. Application forms are available at the Town Office, 400 Main Street, Yarmouth, N. S. B5A 1G2. Completed applications can be mailed to the address above or emailed to admin@townofyarmouth.ca
pdf Application Form for Citizen Appointments to Committees(815 KB)
Accessibility Advisory Board
Formed in 2021 in response to the passing of Nova Scotia's Accessibility Act, the committee is made up of members of the community who offer broad knowledge and firsthand experience on the subject of accessibility.
Some of the committee's key roles include:
- Guiding the development and implementation of a comprehensive Accessibility Plan.
- Working with town staff to identify accessibility barriers the public face as they try to access Town of Yarmouth Goods and Services, Information and Communications, Employment, the Built Environment, and Transportation.
- Advising council on accessibility issues in the Town of Yarmouth.
You can download the application PDF below. Application forms are available at the Town Office, 400 Main Street, Yarmouth, N. S. B5A 1G2. Completed applications can be mailed to the address above or emailed to admin@townofyarmouth.ca
pdf Application Form for Citizen Appointments to Committees(815 KB)
Presentations
As we work together to make Yarmouth a better place, we believe that everyone’s voice matters. That's why anyone may address Council or a committee during a public hearing, public participation meeting, or on the second reading of a by-law.
Want to address the Town Council or a committee with an idea or issue? Here’s what you need to know about making presentations to Council and committees:
How to Register
- You can contact the committee recording secretary to request your inclusion on a future agenda. (For committee contacts, check out Committees. For the Town Council contact, scroll to the bottom of this page.)
- Please register by two weeks prior to the meeting in which you wish to speak.
- Your request should indicate the issue that you wish to address.
- The chairperson will determine if and when your presentation will be scheduled.
Making Your Presentation
- Presentations are normally limited to up to 10 minutes.
- Since these are public meetings, your presentation may be recorded and made available for Eastlink TV broadcast and our website.
- Written copies of the presentation are not required; however, they are greatly appreciated!
- You may be asked questions following your presentation.
- There should be one spokesperson if the presentation is on behalf of an organization.
- Some audio/visual equipment is available, but you’ll need to make arrangements in advance if you want to set up any presentation equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit a petition?
Yes, but please know that petitions submitted at a public meeting are considered to form part of the public record. Please ensure that everyone who has signed it understands that their personal information will be available to the public.
How should I address the Council or committee?
Your comments must be directed toward the meeting chair. Members of council or committee may, through the chair, make a response or question where appropriate. No more than one person may speak at one time and proper language, speech, and decorum must be maintained at all times. The chair may direct that any person in violation of proper decorum be expelled from the meeting. For more information about conduct, check out our Council's Code of Conduct.
What happens after I speak?
After you've spoken and answered any questions, please return to your seat to allow members to debate the issue. Council will not make decisions related to a presentation at the same meeting unless the matter is otherwise on the Council agenda. (This provision does not apply to Advisory Committees' meetings.) You're not required to remain for the entire meeting, so you may leave after your issue has been addressed by council.
Where can I get a copy of the meeting agenda?
You can find copies of the council and committee agendas Agendas, Minutes & Livestream – just search by committee and date!
We also encourage you to submit your ideas in writing concerning any item of policy being considered by Council. All correspondence that is addressed to the "Mayor and Council" will be circulated to Council and will be placed on a future agenda for consideration.
To register for a Council presentation, contact:
Municipal Clerk / Executive Assistant
email: admin@townofyarmouth.ca
Town of Yarmouth
400 Main Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 1G2
Map of this location
Phone: (902) 742-8565
Fax: (902) 742-6244
