Cumberland approves rezoning of Springhill, Port Howe properties
Cumberland municipal council approved second reading of an amendment to the Land Use By-Law to permit the development of a self-storage facility on Junction Road in Springhill.
The property, which was one time housed the NSLC, is 3,965 square metres of vacant land.
The property owner is looking to create self-storage facility on the subject lands. The facility would consist of two 20x80ft storage containers, which will house individual self-storage units.
Council also approved second reading of an amendment to the Land Use By-Law that will rezone a portion of land at 3544 Kolbec Rd., Port Howe from Agriculture to Commercial Recreation.
This will permit the development of a campground on five acres of a 40-acre plot of land.
The subject property is a waterfront lot located along the River Philip.
Council gives first reading to rezoning request for former Pugwash fire hall property
Cumberland municipal council has approved first reading of an amendment to the Land Use By-law to rezone a property at 10260 Durham St., Pugwash, from Institutional to Commercial General.
A public hearing will be held prior to second reading.
The property is the former site for the Pugwash Fire Hall. In 2009, the Pugwash Fire Department moved to its present location at 11057 Highway 6.
The owner of the Durham Street property is proposing to retrofit the building to create commercial and residential uses. The intent would be to establish one rentable commercial unit and a short-term rental unit on the second floor of the building.
Council approves first reading of amendment to Public Sewers By-Law
Council has approved first reading of an amendment to the Public Sewers By-Law.
A public hearing will be held prior to second reading.
The Public Sewers By-law establishes contaminant discharge limits to protect municipal infrastructure and the environment.
Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change now requires Surrette Battery of Springhill to enter into an agreement with the Municipality to discharge wastewater from its pre-treatment system into the municipal wastewater collection system.
Previously, Surrette Battery reported test results directly to NSECC and no municipal agreement was required.
Council approves amended Low-Income Tax Exemption Policy
Municipal council has approved the amended Low-Income Tax Exemption Policy and increase in the income cut-off and exemption amounts to $37,368 and $548, respectively.
In March 2025, council approved revisions to the Low-Income Tax Exemption Policy to provide a property tax exemption of $537 on residents’ primary residences if household income was under $36,599.
In 2025-26 there were 633 tax exemptions granted for a total of $328,301.
The current policy states the income cut off levels and exemption amounts shall increase by an amount equal to the annual average percentage change in the Consumer Price
Index.
For 2025, the CPI was 2.1 per cent.
Petition from Gilbert Hill Roads Maintenance Association approved by council
Municipal council has approved the petition for Private Road Maintenance and Improvement Charge for the Gilbert Hill Roads Maintenance Association.
The Municipality had received a signed petition from the Gilbert Hill Roads Maintenance
Association. They have outlined that the estimated maintenance costs for the applicable roads will be $22,800 which will be charged equally to all property owners listed on the applicable roads.
There are 79 eligible properties in the charge area so there will be a charge of $289 per property. The private road charge will be added to each property and will be billed with the annual tax bill each year.
Sharon Rogers, Mackayla Scott approved as Adult, Youth Representative Volunteers
Council has approved Sharon Rogers as the Municipality’s Adult Volunteer Representative of the Year and Mackayla Scott as the Youth Representative Volunteer of the Year.
Each year the Municipality hosts a Volunteer Recognition Event to recognize the extraordinary contributions of individuals who volunteer their time and skills to provide services and programs in our communities.
This year the Municipality will be honouring 33 local volunteers at its annual Volunteer Recognition Event on April 21 at 6 p.m. in the CIBC Common Room at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill.
This event coincides with National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, 2026.
Council approves purchase of four properties near Pugwash Wellfield Protection Area
Municipal council has approved the purchase of four properties from WH Forestry Canada Inc. at a total cost of $198,310 plus HST.
These four properties all neighbour the Pugwash Wellfield Protection Area and have been identified as properties that would help protect that wellfield and the water supply for the Pugwash area for many years to come.