There are several ways for you to share your views with Council:
- Correspondence
- Public Hearings
- Presentations
Correspondence
The Municipal Clerk's Office can assist you with distributing correspondence to Council, Boards & Committees. Your comments must include at least your first initial and last name – anonymous submissions will not be distributed. Your written comments will be distributed to Members of Council or Board/Committee, as well as relevant staff and will be discussed in a public meeting.
Correspondence addressed to the Warden or Council shall be brought to council for discussion or decision. Correspondence may also be addressed to the Chief Administrative Officer, which may also be brought to council.
Public Hearings
Public Hearings are opportunities for the public to share their opinions and views on specific topics with Council.
Public Hearings are:
- Held on specific topics, usually when bylaws are created or altered
- Held as part of a Council meeting
- Advertised in advance in the local newspaper
- Open for anyone to speak or submit written comments (before 3 pm the day of the hearing)
Public Hearings are typically held to consider planning and development-related matters or to consider new By-Laws or changes to existing By-Laws. Upcoming Public Hearings are advertised in The Vanguard at least two weeks in advance. The advertisement will include the date, time, and location of the Hearing.
How do I sign up to speak at a Public Hearing?
On the night of the public hearing, a sign-up sheet will be available, usually starting 15 minutes before the meeting. Anyone who would like to speak may add their name to the list.
What will happen during the Public Hearing?
Staff will give an overview of the topic and respond to questions of clarification from Council. The applicant (or designate) will then be given 10 minutes to present his/her proposal after which he/she will respond to questions of clarification from members of Council. Then, the Chair will call the names on the list of speakers in order. Each person may speak for a maximum of five (5) minutes.
If you don’t add your name to the list, there is still an opportunity to speak. After all the names on the list have been called, the Chair will call three times for any additional speakers. You can indicate your wish to speak at that time.
After the Public Hearing has been closed, Council may discuss the topic. They may make their decision at that time, or they may defer it to a future date. They will not hear any further speakers or accept any further written comments on the topic.
How do I submit written comments for a Public Hearing?
You may submit written comments for a Public Hearing to the Municipal Clerk's Office:
Municipality of Argyle
ATTN: Office of the CAO
27 Courthouse Road
PO Box 10
Tusket, NS
B0W 3M0
Fax: (902) 648-0367
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Your comments must be received before 3:00 pm on the date of the public hearing. Comments received after this time will not be distributed. The comments will be distributed to Council and reluctant staff.
Presentations
Council meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month beginning at 6:30 pm and are open to the public. We require at least one week’s notice to have a presentation added to the agenda. Presentations are usually placed at the very beginning of the meeting agendas and are usually limited to 10 minutes. Some audio/visual equipment is available. Arrangements must be made in advance for the purpose of setting up any presentation equipment.
Council will typically not make decisions related to a presentation at the same meeting, especially if the presentation is a financial request. All correspondence that is addressed to "Warden and Council" will be circulated to Council and will be placed on a future agenda for consideration.
Members of the public may request to make a presentation to Council. Possible outcomes of the request include:
- Placement on the Council agenda
- Referral to the Chair of a Standing Committee or other Board/Committee
- Referral to staff
The process for making and evaluating requests for a presentation is described in our Public Presentation Policy.
If you have questions or would like more information on making a presentation to Council, please contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office.
For more information about presentations to the Argyle Council please contact:
Municipal Clerk
(902) 648-3293
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.