HRM - News Releases

Burning Ban in HRM

webmaster@halifax.ca — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:00:00 -0400

Public Service Announcement

Burning Ban in HRM

(Tuesday, March 16, 2010) - Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency has responded to over 65 grass and brush fires since March 1st. The recent warm weather and lack of precipitation has resulted in extremely dry surface fuels. As a result, there will be an immediate ban on all open air fires. Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources have been advised.

Outdoor wood burning appliances which are completely enclosed and have a spark arrester screen (grill) are currently exempt from this burning ban.

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For further information contact:

Divisional Chief Mike LeRue Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency 490-5666 (ext. 2)

Final Report on Future Use of Khyber Building Released

webmaster@halifax.ca — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:00:00 -0400

Public Service Announcement

Final Report on Future Use of Khyber Building Released

(Monday, March 15, 2010) - The final report, prepared by the consulting firm TCI Management Ltd., which analyzes the costs and benefits of five potential operating scenarios for 1588 Barrington Street (also commonly known as the "Khyber Building") is now available.

The report can be accessed online at http://www.halifax.ca/crca/FeasibilityReport.html. Copies are also available at the Bloomfield Centre (2786 Agricola Street); at the Khyber Building (1588 Barrington Street); or by calling 490-4083. The public survey results on the draft report and potential operating scenarios are also available online at http://www.halifax.ca/crca/FeasibilityReport.html or in hard copy upon request at 490-4083. The next stage in this review will be the presentation of a staff report to Regional Council. Upon review, Regional Council will decide upon a preferred operating scenario and future plan for the Building. The staff report will be available on HRM’s website.

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Christine Lavoie, Team Lead, HRM Culture and Heritage Development 490-1989, lavoiec@halifax.ca

Grass and Brush Fires in HRM

webmaster@halifax.ca — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0400

Public Service Announcement

Grass and Brush Fires in HRM

(Friday, March 12, 2010) - Due to a lack of snow and the mild temperatures, HRM is experiencing a number of brush and grass fires. During the past week, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency have responded to over 20 brush fires - many of them serious; resulting from grass fires that "got away" from the residents who started them.

Residents are reminded that it is illegal to burn grass in HRM.

For many parts of HRM it is illegal to burn brush without a permit. At this time, HRMF is requesting that all residents familiarize themselves with Burning By-Law O-103, before they consider any type of open air burning.

http://www.halifax.ca/fireprevention/OpenAirBurning.html

Regardless of regulations contained in By-Law O-103, we are recommending that residents consider alternate methods of dealing with surplus brush. Alternatives to burning brush include the placement of five arm-load size bundles of brush, alongside their green cart, for collection during green cart collection week. Bundles are collected throughout the year, not just springtime.

For more information on collection services, please refer to http://www.halifax.ca/wrms, page 616 in the Aliant Yellow Pages, or call 490-4000.

For further information please contact: Fire Prevention Division Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency 490-4017

A life saving message from Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency

Change Your Clock - Change Your Battery

webmaster@halifax.ca — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0400

Public Service Announcement

Change Your Clock - Change Your Battery

(Thursday, March 11, 2010) - When you change the time on your clock this weekend (Sunday, March 14th) please, change the batteries in your smoke alarm. Only working smoke alarms save lives.

A life saving message from Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency.

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For further information please contact:

Fire Prevention Division Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency 490-4017

Presentation of Draft Birch Cove Waterfront Area Master Plan

webmaster@halifax.ca — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0400

Public Meeting Notice

Presentation of Draft Birch Cove Waterfront Area Master Plan

(Wednesday, March 10, 2010) - Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend a public meeting on March 22 for the presentation of the draft Birch Cove Waterfront Area Master Plan. The plan charts the future re-development of the Birch Cove Area in the vicinity of the Kearney Lake Road/Bedford Highway, including much of the surrounding waterfront area around the Chinatown Restaurant.

Halifax Regional Municipality and Waterfront Development Corporation initiated the planning process in March 2009. A steering committee comprised of community residents, property owners and developers was formed to oversee the process and make recommendations to Regional Council. A consulting team was also engaged to assist in the design work. Public consultations to date have included a workshop and online survey to gather ideas and a presentation of three design alternatives in June 2009. The preferred alternative design is being presented at the meeting.

Date: Monday, March 22, 2010 Time: 7 p.m. Location: St. Peter's Anglican Church, 3 Dakin Drive, Halifax

In the event of snow storm, the meeting will take place on Thursday, March 25, 7 p.m. at �cole Beaubassin, 54 Larry Uteck Blvd.

The complete re-development of the area is expected to take at least 10 years but the plan and associated policies will guide the placement, mix, style, and scale of development and open space as it develops over the next decade. To learn more, visit www.halifax.ca/regionalplanning or contact Paul Morgan at 490-4482 or morganp@halifax.ca or Terry Drisdelle at 422-5115, extension 109 or dridelle@wdcl.ca.

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Paul Morgan HRM Senior Planner 490-4482

HRM Seeking Event Hosts for Bike Week 2010

webmaster@halifax.ca — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0400

Public Service Announcement

HRM Seeking Event Hosts for Bike Week 2010

(Tuesday, March 9, 2010) - Mark your calendars! HRM's Annual Bike Week will be held from May 28th to June 6th, 2010. Bike Week’s purpose is to celebrate, educate and increase participation in all types of cycling throughout the region. Community support is paramount to make this happen!

HRM Bike Week is an exciting, community driven event that encourages people of all ages and abilities to be more active and get out and see their communities in an enjoyable fashion - cycling! Last year's Bike Week events attracted more than 4000 residents to participate in over 30 events held throughout HRM.

HRM is again encouraging community involvement! Visit www.halifax.ca/bikeweek for more information and to download the event registration and grant funding form. HRM is asking interested groups to submit event registration forms by April 2nd, 2010. For groups requiring assistance, or applying for a grant, the HRM Bike Week Committee asks that those applications be submitted by March 19th, 2010.

Here are some ways you can participate in HRM Bike Week 2010: - Host an event or workshop - Set up a booth at one of our many events - Organize a bike ride - Donate prizes - Launch an initiative at your workplace - Combine cycling or bikes with art and culture - Organize a guest speaker to talk about the benefits of cycling, tips of the trade, or ways to engage your community (school/work/neighbourhood) in safe, enjoyable cycling.

If you are a non-profit organization or community group, grants may be available to support your event. To find out more information or if you are looking for ideas, please contact the Bike Week Committee. You may be required to show proof of public liability insurance.

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Contact:

Gabrielle Riley HRM Active Living Coordinator 490-3802 rileyg@halifax.ca

Winter Parking Ban Will Be Lifted Tonight

webmaster@halifax.ca — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0400

NEWS RELEASE Winter Parking Ban Will be Lifted Tonight

(Monday, March 8/2010) -- The Overnight Winter Parking Ban in the urban core service area of Halifax Regional Municipality expires at one minute to midnight tonight. The ban is being lifted earlier than usual this year in recognition of the mild weather and the continuing mild forecast for the remainder of the week.

The overnight ban went into effect on December 14, 2009, in the urban core service area. The ban can remain in place until the end of March but can also be lifted earlier by the HRM Traffic Authority if weather permits.

"The intention was to lift the ban on March 12, but the stretch of milder weather has made it possible to do it now,” said Traffic Authority Ken Reashor.

This year saw 10,503 tickets issued for violation of the ban, compared with 18,038 for the same period last year.

Motorists are reminded that Section 139 of the province’s Motor Vehicle Act provides that parked vehicles obstructing snow removal operations at any time throughout the year may be towed.

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Contact: Shaune MacKinlay HRM Corporate Communications mackins@halifax.ca (902) 490-6531

Shell Eco-marathon 2010 Team Inspires HRM Fleet

webmaster@halifax.ca — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0400

NEWS RELEASE

Shell Eco-marathon 2010 Team Inspires HRM Fleet

(Friday, March 5, 2010) - Halifax Regional Municipality Fleet staff looked to Dalhousie’s Shell Eco-marathon Team for a little ‘green’ inspiration. The team gave staff a sneak peak at its entry in the Shell Eco-marathon in Houston, Texas. The competition challenges high school and college teams from around the world to design, build, and test energy efficient vehicles. The winner of the March 26, 2010 event is the team whose vehicle travels the furthest distance with the least energy. The team improved upon its 2009 entry through a 15% weight reduction.

"Witnessing the development of a locally-driven, innovative project around fuel efficiency is inspiring and challenges our staff to continually think outside of the box. This project shows that a little innovation can have huge payback,” said Richard MacLellan, Acting Manager of the Sustainable Environment Management Office.

"We wish the Dalhousie Eco-marathon Team 2010 the best of luck in Houston this month,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “HRM is committed to being a “greener” community, with a goal to reducing our GHG (green house gas) emissions 20% below 2002 levels by 2012. I am so pleased to see the innovation of these young leaders in this project and hope they are able to turn their incredible innovation into reailty," said Mayor Peter Kelly.

HRM staff contributed to the sponsorship of the team in return for a series of presentations on the project to front-line fleet services staff. They saw the opportunity as a way to encourage innovation around vehicle fuel efficiency and promote the importance of invention for environmental sustainability solutions. A second presentation is set for March 11, 2010.

For additional information visit: http://www.shell.com/home/content/ecomarathon/.

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Contact: Mayor Peter Kelly (902) 490-4010

Richard MacLellan Acting Manager Sustainable Environment Management Office (902) 490-6056 - email: maclelri@halifax.ca

Essential Deficiency Repairs Get Underway at Halifax Wastewater Treatment Facility

webmaster@halifax.ca — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0400

NEWS RELEASE

Essential Deficiency Repairs Get Underway at Halifax Wastewater Treatment Facility

(Thursday, March 4, 2010) - Commencing Friday, March 5th the Halifax Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) will temporarily stop receiving flows to allow the contractor, D&D WaterSolutions Inc., to rectify deficiencies identified prior to the WWTF malfunction on January 14, 2009. The correction of these deficiencies is not related to the malfunction, but is essential to the long term operation of the facility.

This work is being undertaken at the contractor’s cost and will not delay the full restoration of the Halifax WWTF, scheduled for completion this spring.

During this shutdown, scheduled to take 1 week, all flows will be diverted from the Halifax WWTF and discharged through the Combined Sewer Overflow [CSO] chambers along the waterfront.

The items being modified are:

�The installation of a baffle system in the wet well to allow for a more even distribution of wastewater flows to the raw water pumps

�The installation of an auto-lube system for the main/coarse screen. This will allow for a more constant lubrication of the screen mechanism, provide better operation and prolonged operational life for the system

�Conversion of the coarse screen screw auger conveyor to a belt conveyor. This will allow for more efficient, reliable handling of coarse screened material.

With the completion of these items, dry weather flows will once again be diverted to the Halifax WWTF, debris and floatables removed via the coarse and fine screening system, and then discharged through the facility’s existing outfall pipe which extends approximately one kilometre into Halifax Harbour. For more information about the Halifax WWTF and the Harbour Solutions Project, visit http://halifax.ca/HWWTF/index.html or www.halifaxwater.ca where newsletters, diagrams, photos, background materials, and answers to frequently asked questions can be found.

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Contact:

James Campbell Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Halifax Water 490-4604