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The regular monthly meeting of Richmond Municipal Council on Sept. 23 in Arichat was attended by Civic Journalist Jake Boudrot, who spoke with Warden Amanda Mombourquette and District 5 Councillor Brent Sampson following the meeting.

At the outset, District 2 Councillor Michael Diggdon sought to add funding for the Petit de Grat Harbour Authority to the agenda, though this did not proceed further during the session.

Council then moved on to approve several motions from its committee-of-the-whole meeting held on Sept. 9.

During the Planning Advisory/Heritage Committee report, council passed motions to amend the land-use bylaws and update the sub-division policy. Later in the meeting, the first reading of the amended land-use bylaws was also approved, signalling council’s intent to continue refining municipal regulations.

In the report from the Fire Protection Services Committee, council discussed emergency mapping for the Emergency Services Coordinator and volunteer fire departments, along with the reopening of provincial roads for emergencies. The committee also addressed sub-division planning to improve emergency response efforts.

Despite opposition from District 2 Councillor Michael Diggdon and District 5 Councillor Brent Sampson, the council voted to allow a representative from the West Bay Road Volunteer Fire Department to rejoin the Fire Protection Services Committee.

Councillor Sampson also provided an update following his attendance at the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association and the Nova Scotia Association of Police Governance Conference, reporting back on key takeaways for council.

Under unfinished business, council reviewed a request from Paroisse Saint-Joseph in Petit de Grat for a $10,000 Type 4 Regional/Health/General Grant, though no final decision was made during this session.

Wrapping up the meeting, Warden Amanda Mombourquette confirmed that a new taxi company will soon begin serving residents of Richmond County, a development likely to be welcomed by the community.