Richmond Municipal Council held its monthly committee-of-the-whole session on May 13 in Arichat. Following the meeting, Warden Lois Landry and Deputy Warden Brent Sampson spoke with Civic Journalist Jake Boudrot.

Early in the meeting, Cape Breton University President Dave Dingwall delivered a presentation highlighting the contributions of former Isle Madame resident and Cape Breton businessman Jim Kehoe, while also discussing the upcoming construction of CBU’s new medical school. At the end of his remarks, President Dingwall formally requested a $45,000 contribution from the municipality toward the university’s Forever CBU capital campaign.

Council then approved a Quit Claim Deed for a property located in Johnstown.

A $3,000 Tier 2 Community Grant Fund request from the Whiteside Church Preservation Society was deferred to upcoming budget deliberations.

In her report to council, Warden Landry presented two motions addressing concerns over the rising deer population in the municipality, both of which were approved. Later in the meeting, council reviewed a letter from Isle Madame farmer Robert Theriault outlining the negative impact the growing deer population has had on his business.

Council voted to send a letter to newly elected MP Jaime Battiste (Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish) to brief him on ongoing issues with cellular service in Richmond County.

Warden Landry also provided an update on two planned projects at Pondville Beach Provincial Park: relocating the current parking lot to a parcel along Gibb’s Lane and reinforcing the wharf. Council passed a motion directing staff to explore a Letter of Authority with the province for the park.

Deputy Warden Brent Sampson introduced a motion to refer the Purchasing and Tender Policy to the Bylaw/Policy Committee for further review.

Under correspondence, council received a letter from Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson regarding efforts to secure a CT Scanner for the Strait-Richmond Hospital. In support of that goal, the municipality also sent a letter to the Strait-Richmond Healthcare Foundation endorsing their fundraising efforts to bring the scanner to the Evanston health care facility.

Council also sent a letter to Minister of Growth and Development Colton LeBlanc expressing concern over the exclusion of two Point Tupper properties from the Atlantic Port Assessment.

Later in the session, council reviewed a report on Municipal and Village-Led Housing Developments Across Nova Scotia.

Finally, municipal staff provided a memo outlining details of the Spike Fund Program.