Riverport Electric Light Commission AGM
Welcome to the Riverport Electric Light Commission (RELC) Annual General Meeting Discussion Group. This interactive forum was created for the customers of RELC under the contracted administrative services of the Town of Mahone Bay. The page provides the opportunity for residents within the RELC utility service area to access useful information from AGMs, to exchange comments and to ask questions. It is hoped that engaging customers of the Riverport electric utility will allow for an informed customer base.
The next AGM is set to take place on the evening of Tuesday May 26, 2026. More details to follow.
The last AGM took place on Tuesday June 24th 2025 at the Riverport Community Centre.
The Chair of the Commission, David Maxwell introduced the meeting and outlined the agenda with a narrative on the operations over the last year. Merrill Zinck, Treasurer then presented financial updates and status for the utility. The Commission then detailed the options for Riverport Electric moving forward. A call for new nominations for Commissioners was made and there were none. Arleigh Robar's existing nomination was accepted.
The Commission presented three resolutions for consideration by customers of the electric utility. These resolutions were voted upon at a follow-up meeting on July 23rd 2025. Voting on the motions assumed that a customer acknowledges that they understand and agree with the qualifications to vote.
The special meeting on July 23rd resulted in the following:
Resolution to sell the Riverport Electric Light Commission office - Resolution deferred
Resolution to research structural change to RELC - Resolution was amended subsequent to the AGM and was passed with further amendment
Resolution to borrow money to pay off debt - Resolution was deferred to next Special Meeting
Welcome to the Riverport Electric Light Commission (RELC) Annual General Meeting Discussion Group. This interactive forum was created for the customers of RELC under the contracted administrative services of the Town of Mahone Bay. The page provides the opportunity for residents within the RELC utility service area to access useful information from AGMs, to exchange comments and to ask questions. It is hoped that engaging customers of the Riverport electric utility will allow for an informed customer base.
The next AGM is set to take place on the evening of Tuesday May 26, 2026. More details to follow.
The last AGM took place on Tuesday June 24th 2025 at the Riverport Community Centre.
The Chair of the Commission, David Maxwell introduced the meeting and outlined the agenda with a narrative on the operations over the last year. Merrill Zinck, Treasurer then presented financial updates and status for the utility. The Commission then detailed the options for Riverport Electric moving forward. A call for new nominations for Commissioners was made and there were none. Arleigh Robar's existing nomination was accepted.
The Commission presented three resolutions for consideration by customers of the electric utility. These resolutions were voted upon at a follow-up meeting on July 23rd 2025. Voting on the motions assumed that a customer acknowledges that they understand and agree with the qualifications to vote.
The special meeting on July 23rd resulted in the following:
Resolution to sell the Riverport Electric Light Commission office - Resolution deferred
Resolution to research structural change to RELC - Resolution was amended subsequent to the AGM and was passed with further amendment
Resolution to borrow money to pay off debt - Resolution was deferred to next Special Meeting
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Selling the Riverport Office
10 months ago12 ResponsesThis forum is to discuss the potential sale of the old Riverport Office. The resolution at the July 23 2025 meeting was as follows:
WHEREAS the Riverport Electric Light Commission is seeking
opportunities for cost-savings; and,
WHEREAS the RELC Office is no longer required for the operation of
the utility;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission proceed with the
sale of the RELC Office located at 3808 Highway 332.
The Resolution was deferred until the required number of residents are in attendance at a meeting.
This forum is to discuss the potential sale of the old Riverport Office. The resolution at the July 23 2025 meeting was as follows:
WHEREAS the Riverport Electric Light Commission is seeking
opportunities for cost-savings; and,
WHEREAS the RELC Office is no longer required for the operation of
the utility;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission proceed with the
sale of the RELC Office located at 3808 Highway 332.
The Resolution was deferred until the required number of residents are in attendance at a meeting.
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Moving forward with RELC
10 months agoThis forum is to discuss options for moving forward. The AMENDED relevant motion is as follows:
WHEREAS the Riverport Electric Light Commission was established in 1920 with governing legislation which has gone largely unchanged
since that time; and,
WHEREAS the structure of the Commission as established in the Riverport Electric Light Act has become unsustainable and alternatives may offer improved long-term sustainability;
WHEREAS the Electors by Resolution at the Annual General Meeting on November 16, 2021 directed the RELC Board of Commissioners to create a working group with a mandate to;
“Resolution #5…..start a review of the articles of association, which will include legal review and a working group of both electors and commissioners. The working group will submit their findings to a special elector meeting for discussion and approval. Then the new articles will be submitted to the Nova Scotia Legislature for amendment.” Motion Carried; and,
WHEREAS the Legislative Sub-Committee thereby created in 2022 worked with all parties (Board of Commissioners, local Member of the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Office, and RELC Electors) and successfully implemented in 2023 an amendment to the 1920 Riverport Electric Light Act to increase the Commission’s borrowing capacity to $1,000,000; and,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners reconvene the Legislative Sub-Committee to:
1. Outline an overall plan, including goals, tasks, milestones, interim documents and reports, and timeframes, to achieve the goal of developing new legislation.
2. Research and develop all options for RELC's sustainable future, including associated pros and cons and financial impact assessments.
3. Consult the community through a process of engagement to share results of the research and seek ideas and feedback.
4. Organise a vote for the Electors to decide which option is preferred.
5. Provide input to the Commissioners for the development of updated legislation.
6. Work with legal and legislative experts to review and give input on proposed legislation.
4. Organise a review and discussion of proposed new legislation by RELC Electors.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Sub-Committee report on its preliminary findings to the Board of Commissioners and the Electors by December 31, 2025.
At the Special meeting in July 23, 2025 this Resolution was further amended to include the inclusion of financial statements to March 31, 2025 in the preliminary findings and the Resolution was passed.
This forum is to discuss options for moving forward. The AMENDED relevant motion is as follows:
WHEREAS the Riverport Electric Light Commission was established in 1920 with governing legislation which has gone largely unchanged
since that time; and,
WHEREAS the structure of the Commission as established in the Riverport Electric Light Act has become unsustainable and alternatives may offer improved long-term sustainability;
WHEREAS the Electors by Resolution at the Annual General Meeting on November 16, 2021 directed the RELC Board of Commissioners to create a working group with a mandate to;
“Resolution #5…..start a review of the articles of association, which will include legal review and a working group of both electors and commissioners. The working group will submit their findings to a special elector meeting for discussion and approval. Then the new articles will be submitted to the Nova Scotia Legislature for amendment.” Motion Carried; and,
WHEREAS the Legislative Sub-Committee thereby created in 2022 worked with all parties (Board of Commissioners, local Member of the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Counsel Office, and RELC Electors) and successfully implemented in 2023 an amendment to the 1920 Riverport Electric Light Act to increase the Commission’s borrowing capacity to $1,000,000; and,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners reconvene the Legislative Sub-Committee to:
1. Outline an overall plan, including goals, tasks, milestones, interim documents and reports, and timeframes, to achieve the goal of developing new legislation.
2. Research and develop all options for RELC's sustainable future, including associated pros and cons and financial impact assessments.
3. Consult the community through a process of engagement to share results of the research and seek ideas and feedback.
4. Organise a vote for the Electors to decide which option is preferred.
5. Provide input to the Commissioners for the development of updated legislation.
6. Work with legal and legislative experts to review and give input on proposed legislation.
4. Organise a review and discussion of proposed new legislation by RELC Electors.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Sub-Committee report on its preliminary findings to the Board of Commissioners and the Electors by December 31, 2025.
At the Special meeting in July 23, 2025 this Resolution was further amended to include the inclusion of financial statements to March 31, 2025 in the preliminary findings and the Resolution was passed.
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Assessing our financial situation
10 months agoThe forum is to discuss the option to look into a borrowing scenario for RELC. The motion is as follows:
WHEREAS Section 45 of the Riverport Electric Light Act provides that,
subject to approval by the membership, the Commission may borrow
up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) for capital purposes through any
financial mechanism including borrowing from a commercial lending
institution or from a municipal, provincial or federal government or
agency; and,
WHEREAS the Commission has incurred or plans to incur significant
capital costs in relation to necessary infrastructure improvement, which
cannot be financed from operations;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that under the authority of the Riverport
Electric Light Act the Riverport Electric Light Commission borrow a
sum or sums not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) for a period
not exceeding ten (10) years for the purpose of necessary capital
improvement to the utility’s infrastructure.
At the July 23 2025 Special meeting this Resolution was deferred
The forum is to discuss the option to look into a borrowing scenario for RELC. The motion is as follows:
WHEREAS Section 45 of the Riverport Electric Light Act provides that,
subject to approval by the membership, the Commission may borrow
up to one million dollars ($1,000,000) for capital purposes through any
financial mechanism including borrowing from a commercial lending
institution or from a municipal, provincial or federal government or
agency; and,
WHEREAS the Commission has incurred or plans to incur significant
capital costs in relation to necessary infrastructure improvement, which
cannot be financed from operations;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that under the authority of the Riverport
Electric Light Act the Riverport Electric Light Commission borrow a
sum or sums not exceeding one million dollars ($1,000,000) for a period
not exceeding ten (10) years for the purpose of necessary capital
improvement to the utility’s infrastructure.
At the July 23 2025 Special meeting this Resolution was deferred
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Help us reach out to more people in the community
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FAQs
-
RELC Legislation and Statistics
- Is RELC adhering to its governing legislation?
- Can I review RELC's books as provided for in legislation?
- How many customers does RELC have?
- How many solar installs are there in the RELC utility?
- Regarding the voting process: is it one vote per household?
- What represents a Quorum to vote on a Resolution at the meeting?
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RELC Finances
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Resolution to sell Old Riverport Office
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Resolution for Structural Change
- Why did RELC contract with AREA/Mahone Bay for management and financial services?
- Would you consider switching to bi-monthly billing? Does it save the customer money?
- Has there been a cost analysis carried out regarding continuing RELC operations vs allowing the concession to be bought/subsumed?
- Could RELC leverage negotiating our sale to NSP if we increased the renewable component in our community?
- What happened with RELC's former manager?
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Resolution for Borrowing
- At the AGM, the need to borrow $600,000 was presented. $4 million is also needed for capital costs over the next 5 years. How will this be paid back?
- Why are TOMB and AREA offering to loan RELC funds for capital purposes? Is TOMB in conflict since RELC currently owes for outstanding contributions to shared staff and equipment costs?
- Who can RELC borrow money from?
Key Dates
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23 July 2025
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31 December 2025
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13 August 2025
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20 August 2025
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November 2025






