Second reading approved for rezoning portion of John Black Road property
Cumberland municipal council has approved second reading of an application to rezone a portion of a John Black Road property from Country Residential to Rural Resource.
The property, located in East Amherst, is 250 acres and contains a mixture of land uses, including residential, agricultural and commercial recreation (golf course).
The portion of the subject property considered for rezoning is currently largely wooded, with two wind turbines.
Natural Forces Solar, with permission of the current property owner, are looking to establish a solar project, which will provide clean energy for up to 700 homes, spanning from East Amherst to Tidnish.
The proposed project would have the capacity of 5.25 MWAC.
Natural Forces Solar has identified this parcel as an ideal location for the proposed project, due to a wind turbine already being located on the subject property. Co-locating the proposed solar project with the existing wind project allows for the sharing of infrastructure. Furthermore, co-locating is beneficial for the electrical grid, as the projects produce power at different times, providing more reliability to the power grid.
The applicant hopes to begin construction in late spring, finishing construction before the end of 2026.
Amended Remuneration Policy approved by municipal council
Council has approved an amended Remuneration Policy for Members of Council.
As part of the annual budgeting process, a salary review of municipal councils in Nova Scotia was completed.
Subsequently, Council approved a change in their remuneration to align with the average council member salaries across the province.
Under the policy, the mayor’s renumeration increases from $44,355 to $56,155, the deputy mayor increases from $29,605 to $35,735 and councillors increase from $27,120 to $31,651.
Beginning April 1, 2027, and each year, the annual remuneration will be increased by the average change in the Consumer Price Index.
Council approves amended Procurement and Expenditures policies
Cumberland municipal council has approved amendments to the Procurement and Expenditures Policies.
Both policies required some updates regarding purchasing thresholds.
While this was done, it was reviewed to update the flow and ensure the information in the policies was correct and clear.
Municipal council approves regional emergency management plan
Cumberland municipal council has approved the Cumberland Regional Emergency Management Plan.
The Regional Emergency Management Advisory Committee, met in March to review the draft Regional Emergency Management Organization Plan. At that meeting the committee passed a motion to submit the draft REMO Plan to the three municipal councils that make up the Cumberland Regional Emergency Management Organization (the Municipality of Cumberland and the Towns of Amherst and Oxford) for approval.
Under the provincial Emergency Management Act, municipalities must establish and maintain a municipal emergency bylaw, establish and maintain a municipal emergency management organization, appoint a coordinator of municipal emergency management, appoint a committee consisting of members of municipal council to advise it on the development of emergency plans and prepare and approve emergency management plans.
Council awards Parrsboro/Springhill paving contract to Chapman Bros Construction
Council has approved the recommendation to award the contract for paving municipal streets in Parrsboro and Springhill (Part A, Part B and Part C (contingent on provincial funding approval)) to Chapman Bros. Construction for a value of $1,841,976.59 (including non-recoverable HST).
The municipality is responsible for about 32.4 km of roads (including 3.15 km gravel) in Parrsboro, and 36.3 km of roads (including 1.3 km gravel) in Springhill.
Road surfaces have an expected service life of around 20 years and so it is prudent to budget to repave about a kilometre of roads in each community per year.
Improving the surfaces of the roads and streets within Parrsboro and Springhill will make the roads safer to travel on and should therefore reduce potential liabilities for vehicle damage and/or personal injuries.
The Springhill projects are being funded by the Springhill Area Rate, the Canada Community Building Fund (former Gas Tax), Springhill Debt and provincial Trunks and Routes Program while the Parrsboro projects are being funded through the former Gas Tax.
Roads in Springhill include:
Pine between Lisgar and Spruce
Elgin between Queen and Spruce
King between Lisgar and Pine
Fir between Elgin and Junction
Pleasant Ext from Gilroy to the end
Lisgar from Civic 7 to Queen
McGee from Athol to Lagoon
McFarlane from McGee to end
Roads in Parrsboro include:
Prince/School from Stanley to Queen
Skidmore from Two Islands to Corner
Pier from Two Islands to Skidmore
Springhill Sidewalks:
McDougal from Main to McGee
McGee from Herrett to Civic 128
Parrsboro Sidewalks:
Western Avenue from Sydney to Queen
Main from Jacobs Lane to Sargents
Council approves River Hebert village rate
Council passed a motion to approve River Hebert village rate at 10 cents per $100 assessment for residential/resource properties and 10 cents per $100 assessment for commercial properties for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, and it be billed and collected at the same time and in the same manner as municipal taxes.
Council also directed staff to prepare a status report on the village’s progress on the commitments outlined in its letter to be presented at the October Committee of the Whole meeting, and that the Municipality will write to the Minister of Municipal Affairs outlining its concerns regarding the village.
As well, the Municipality will write to the Village of River Hebert requesting contact information for the newly appointed Village Clerk and that the Municipality be notified in advance of future meetings of the Village Commission.
Coun. Lockhart appointed to Cliffs of Fundy Geopark board
Council has approved the appointment of Coun. Scott Lockhart to the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark Board.
There are currently two councillors representing the municipality on the board. Coun. Marchel Strong is the other councillor on the board.
Representation on the board provides a broader perspective and enhanced decision making and ensures our priorities are reflected.
Black, Bond appointed to Cumberland Senior Care Corporation Board
Council has passed a motion to ratify the appointments of Jill Black and Holly Bond to the board of the Cumberland Senior Care Corporation.
The Cumberland Senior Care Corporation (CSCC) requires ratification of citizen members, by Municipal Council, to their Board.
Darrell Cole
Corporate Communications Officer
Administration Department
902-297-1333
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