ANTIGONISH, N.S. — ANTIGONISH, N.S. — Nova Scotia Power's response to outages and damage caused by hurricane Dorian was outlined by representatives of the electric company at the Nov. 19 meeting of Municipality of the County of Antigonish.
The presentation was led by Paul Casey, transmission and distribution and delivery vice president, who outlined the growing effect of weather in the province, particularly winds that lead to fallen trees which cause outages.
Casey also touched on the importance of tree removal, including the challenge in convincing private landowners to allow them to do so.
“Every tree cut makes a difference,” he noted.
Councillor Mary MacLellan credited the company for removal measures taken along Highway 245.
“They recognize that more tree removal needs to be done, so that’s something we are very happy to hear,” Warden Owen McCarron told reporters, when asked about the presentation after the meeting.
He also noted “more line work going to be done in and around the Antigonish area, which was positive to hear.”
McCarron said such sessions are beneficial, especially when municipal councillors and staff hear complaints from residents. It provides information to help “explain decisions and why they are made.”
“Building those lines of communication between our municipality and Nova Scotia Power is critically important as well,” he added.
Service recognized
During the public session, Deputy Warden Hughie Stewart recognized three councillors for an honour they received during the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) fall conference.
McCarron, along with Councillors Rémi Deveau and Bill MacFarlane, received long-service certificates.
McCarron has served on council for 25 years, while Deveau and MacFarlane have reached 15 years apiece.
Working together
Reporters asked McCarron for thoughts from council on the results of the federal election.
Two MPs — Sean Fraser of Central Nova and Mike Kelloway of Cape Breton Canso — serve parts of Antigonish County.
Describing the re-elected Fraser as a “known quantity,” McCarron said council is “looking forward to working with him.”
Kelloway, a first-time member, will be attending an upcoming council meeting.
McCarron noted council looks forward to continuing and growing “new and existing relationships.”
With a newly-elected Liberal government, he said the municipality is “looking forward to (them) getting back to work, so we can advance some projects that we have on our radar.”
