Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Danny Hill, Réanne Cooper, Carl Deveau, Steven Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Francis Robichaud
Presenters: Nick Power and Shawn Craven, Clare Firefighters Association
ABSENT: Councillor Réanne Evans

1) Call to Order
The Warden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

2) Approval of the Agenda

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the proposed agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.

4) Presentations
4.1 Clare Firefighters Association – Nick Power and Shawn Craven
Nick Power and Shawn Craven of the Clare Firefighters Association presented an overview of the Association’s activities from January to May 2026.  (See attached)

5) Staff Reports  
None.

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) NEW BUSINESS
7.1 Tender - 2026/2027 Ton Truck (4x4)
A new 4x4 ton truck (complete with plow and sander) was approved as part of the Municipality’s 2026-27 Capital Budget. As the only two vehicle dealerships within the Municipality, tender documents were provided to both Clare Dodge Chrysler and Belliveau Motors, complete with detailed vehicle specifications. Following a review of the bids, the CAO is recommending that Council accept the proposal from Belliveau Motors Ltd. for a new Ford Super Duty F350 SRW, in the amount of $104,925.68 plus HST. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Steven Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend accepting the proposal from Belliveau Motors Ltd. for the 2026/2027 Ton Truck (4x4) in the amount of $104,925.68 plus HST and that these funds be taken from the Municipality’s Capital Reserve
MOTION CARRIED

7.2 Track System for Fire Department Side-by-Side
The Clare Firefighters Association (CFFA) is requesting municipal funding for the purchase of a Camso Track System for one of the side-by-sides currently being utilized by the Municipality’s volunteer fire service. The purchase and installation of said tracks would allow increased functionality and greater accessibility to remote and hard to reach areas. Furthermore, the purchase has been recommended by the Municipality’s Fire Services Coordinator as well as by Councillors Nadine Comeau and Carl Deveau, both of whom represent Council at the CFFA. That said, Council made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the request from the Clare Firefighters Association for the purchase of a Camso Track System from Leonard C. Comeau Ltd. in the amount of $7,099.00 plus HST.
MOTION CARRIED

7.3 Request for Access Under the Road Trails Act – C. Saulnier Road
The Sou’West Nova ATV Association is asking for the Municipality’s support of its request to the Province of NS under the Road Trails Act. The Road Trails Act is an act respecting the operation of off-highway vehicles on designated highways. For this application, the Sou’West Nova ATV Association is requesting access along the C Saulnier Road, from the intersection of the C Saulnier Road and the Rail Bed Trail at 44.24598, -66.10234 to the Esso Station at 9999 Highway 1, Saulnierville. Council agreed to lend its support to this effort and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Steven Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to the Sou’West Nova ATV Association in support of their request to the provincial government for road trail access along the C Saulnier Road, from the intersection of the C Saulnier Road and the Rail Bed Trail at 44.24598, -66.10234 to the Esso Station at 9999 Highway 1, Saulnierville.
MOTION CARRIED

7.4 Request for Access Under the Road Trails Act – Eustace Comeau Road
The Sou’West Nova ATV Association is asking for the Municipality’s support of its request to the Province of NS under the Road Trails Act. The Road Trails Act is an act respecting the operation of off-highway vehicles on designated highways. For this application, the Sou’West Nova ATV Association is requesting access at 44.228740, -66.101852 and Eustache Comeau Road to La Cuisine Robicheau at 9651 Highway 1, Saulnierville. Council agreed to lend its support to this effort and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to the Sou’West Nova ATV Association in support of their request to the provincial government for road trail access at 44.228740, -66.101852 and Eustache Comeau Road to La Cuisine Robicheau at 9651 Highway 1, Saulnierville.
MOTION CARRIED

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.

9) Closed Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations
9.2 Litigation or Potential Litigation

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving a contribution of $10,000 to Université Sainte-Anne in support of its funding application to the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Heritage and Tourism`s Planning Assistance Program for the hiring of  professional services required for the proposed re-design and renovation of its sports centre.
MOTION CARRIED

PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to Université Sainte-Anne in support of its funding application to the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund for the proposed re-design and renovation of its sports centre, including efficiency upgrades leading to a reduction in GHG emissions.
MOTION CARRIED

9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on July 8, 2026, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 pm.

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant