Municipality selling piece of land to Environment and Climate Change Canada
Cumberland municipal council has approved the sale of land in Amherst Point to Environment and Climate Change Canada for a dollar.
The property was purchased in 2020 at a total cost of $22,268.79 as the municipality’s first acquisition under the federal land securement and protection program, also known as the Canada Nature Fund Project. The purchase price and most of the acquisition costs were provided by the Nature Fund Project.
The intent at the time was to acquire a chain of properties for designation as a Protected Wilderness Area that would connect the shore of Blair Lake to the Chignecto NWA and the Southampton Road. Unfortunately, all other target property owners and adjacent properties were not interested in selling or were not within budget, so that initiative was abandoned.
The designation of an individual 8.6-acre property as a Protected Wilderness Area to be managed by the municipality does not meet the conservancy objectives of the Canada Nature Fund Project. Staff recommended the parcel be transferred to Environment and Climate Change Canada for inclusion in the adjoining Chignecto National Wildlife Area.
Since the funds used to acquire the property were provided by the federal government under the Nature Fund Project, staff recommended that the sale price be a nominal $1.
Adding land to the Chignecto National Wildlife Area, in addition to serving conservancy and wildlife protection objectives, would enhance the recreation and tourism benefits the wildlife area currently provides to the municipality.
Municipality of Cumberland approves new fire protection agreement with Oxford
Cumberland municipal council has approved a fire protection services agreement with the Town of Oxford effective April 1, 2025.
The existing 15-year agreement, signed in 2008, set out terms and conditions of fire protection services provided by the Oxford Fire Department to the municipality.
The previous agreement expired on March 31, 2023. Under the terms of the agreement it automatically renewed for additional one-year periods until 24-month notice of termination was given by either party.
Fire Protection Coverage under the new agreement will be the same as has been provided for the previous agreement.
Council approves rezoning proposal for Highway 321 property in Oxford Junction
Cumberland municipal council has approved second reading of an amendment to the land-use bylaw to rezone a 36-acre portion of a property on Highway 321 at Oxford Junction from Agriculture and Rural Industrial.
The property owners are looking to utilize a portion of their land to support their business, Junction 321 Trailer and Storage, a virtual heavy equipment sales business, in which the owner stores ATVs, trailers and other heavy equipment, and makes sales through Facebook.
While financial transactions occur online, customers will visit the subject property to pick up their purchased product. A portion of the property would also be used for outdoor storage of trailers and tractors, along with a few potential uses the owner is considering.
The applicant would like the ability to add office and self-storage units as potential future uses of the land.
Council gives first reading to Road Trails Designation
Cumberland municipal council approved first reading of the Road Trails Designation Bylaw.
The Road Trails Act, which came into effect in September 2023, gives municipalities the authority to establish bylaws designating portions of public roads as road trails.
This framework supports off-highway vehicle use on designated municipal roadways, enhancing connections between existing trail systems and community amenities. The municipality maintains road networks that intersect with many existing and proposed trail routes.
Community and recreational groups have expressed growing interest in using this legislation to enable safer, managed access for off-highway vehicle users to travel between trailheads and local services.
The Municipality is considering designating the following portions of streets as Road Trails:
Parrsboro: Main Street from community boundary to Western Avenue, Eastern Avenue from community boundary to Main Street.
Springhill: entire length of Lagoon Road, McGee Street from Lagoon Road to Herrett Road, Lisgar Street from Lisgar Street Extension to Main Street, Main Street from Lisgar Street to Church Street and Junction Road from Highway 142 to North Street.
Municipal council passes amendments to Fees Policy and Ice Allocation Policy
Cumberland Municipal Council approved amendments to the Fees and Ice Allocation policies.
The policy establishes the approved rates for various applications, approvals, permits, licenses, and services. A review of this policy was undertaken, prompted by changes in market conditions and operational costs.
The proposed revisions are intended to ensure the rates are aligned with those of comparable municipalities and support the principle of cost recovery for services provided.
The purpose of the Ice Allocation Policy is to provide a set of guidelines for all groups wanting to use the ice surface in the Richard Calder Arena at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre.
Highlights of the amendments include adding a provision specifying that approval of no-fee ice time requests from community groups will be at the sole discretion of the CAO, clarifies the defined ice operating season, adjusts rental rates to include HST and added the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to the list of dates when the arena is generally closed.
Council approves funding request for Pugwash branch of Royal Canadian Legion
Council has approved a funding request from the Peace Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Pugwash.
The Pugwash Legion submitted a County General Grant for $11,000 to help with renovations to improve what the application calls food safety standards in their kitchen. The Legion is a hub of activity and hosts many events of their own and rentals from the community, some which require the kitchen.
Council approves request from WestCumb Amateur Radio Club
Council has approved a request to receive $8,000 from the Christie-Smith Community Foundation and disburse the funds to the WestCumb Amateur Radio Club.
The funding will be used for the purchase of a communications trailer.
Municipal council votes to receive Equity and Diversity Policy
Cumberland municipal council has passed a motion to receive the Equity and Diversity Plan.
Like the Accessibility Act, the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act requires prescribed public bodies, including municipalities, to develop and implement plans to support the goals of the legislation.
The Act requires prescribed public service bodies, including Municipalities, to appoint advisory committees, develop Equity and Diversity plans, and update the plans every three years.
The municipality’s Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee, along with a community engagement process, helped shape the plan.
Coun. Fred Gould elected deputy mayor for 2025-26
District 1 Coun. Fred Gould was re-elected deputy mayor of the Municipality of Cumberland.