 |
|
|
Public Council Sessions for May, 2020
In May, Council sessions will be held on May 6th and 20th and will begin at 6 p.m. At this time we are anticipating to hold these meetings using Zoom and live streaming them to Facebook. Should this change, a notice will be posted on our social media. You can visit
our municipal Facebook page. by following the link.
To view the upcoming Council agenda, or to view minutes from past Council sessions, please visit our website or click here:
Council Minutes
|
|
Neighbours Helping Neighbours in Cumberland County
-
Are you self isolating and have some practical needs?
-
Do you need groceries or medical supplies delivered to your home?
-
Are you lonely and want someone to talk too?
-
Are you a healthcare worker and need child-care for your children in order to go to work?
OR
Are you able to help us meet some of these needs?
This website is intended to connect those who need help with people who can help.
Learn More
|
|
Transfer Stations Closed
There have been several recent changes to solid waste management in Cumberland County, including the closure of transfer stations
at Pugwash, River Hebert, and Advocate as of March 30, 2020.
The Good News:
curbside collection is continuing to proceed as normal throughout the County.
During this pandemic the Municipality is trying to maintain as much of our regular service as possible, while safeguarding the health and safety of both our staff and the public.
We would like to thank our residents for their patience and understanding and Miller Waste Systems, both management and staff, for making the continuance of curbside collection possible.
Learn More
|
|
Grants that were approved by Council from December 2019 - March 2020
|
Organization
|
Amount
|
|
CA-R-MA
|
$3,000
|
|
Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association (CANSA)
|
$500
|
Oxford Regional Educational Centre (OREC) Home and School Committee
|
$2,150
|
|
River Hebert/Joggins and Area Development Association
|
$2,250
|
|
Wallace Area Development Association
(The Sunrise Trail Knitters)
|
$1,000
|
|
|
|
RFP-MCC-2008
CLosing April 23, 2020 at 2:00PM
|
|
|
|
 |
Municipalities of Cumberland and Colchester Getting Major Rural Broadband Network
The Municipalities of Cumberland and Colchester have taken a huge step toward their goal of being one of Canada's most digitally connected rural places. They are teaming up with Xplornet Communications and Develop Nova Scotia on a high-speed internet project that will see $60 million invested in the region.
Xplornet will deploy nearly 700 kilometres of optic fibre to offer up to 100 Mbps fibre-to-home and fixed wireless services on their network, which will reach more than 21 700 currently underserved households and businesses. A further 2300 addresses will have access to improved satellite service that will reach up to 50 Mbps by the completion of the full network. The three-year project is aiming for 100% high-speed availability in Cumberland and Colchester.
"Our Councils and staff have worked very hard to get us to this point," said Cumberland Warden Al Gillis. "It's vital for our future." Gillis serves on the Joint Internet Committee of Cumberland and Colchester along with Councillor Joe vanVulpen and Colchester Councillors Mike Gregory and Tom Taggart.
|
|
|
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
|
|
|
|
By the Community, For the Community
Late last year, the Municipality of Cumberland County engaged the consulting firm Third Sector Enhancement to develop economic development strategies for the communities of
Springhill and
Parrsboro. The goal of these strategies will be to maximize the economic resilience, vitality, and quality of life in these communities - to ensure they are places where current residents can thrive, and which will attract newcomer families as well. The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic makes this work all the more critical for the future of these communities.
Over the last few months, Third Sector Enhancement has worked with business and community leaders to define draft economic development strategies for each community. Now, it's your turn - to provide feedback on your community's emerging strategy, to identify where you might want to get involved in implementing specific parts of that strategy, and identify how this strategy could help you achieve your personal goals. Your input will make your community's strategy better and more relevant, and your involvement in implementation will help ensure that effective action is taken. While the Municipality is supporting their development and implementation, it will be up to the residents of Springhill and Parrsboro to bring these strategies to life.
|
|
|
|
|
The Public Works department is carrying on as close to normal as possible with all government recommended precautions being implemented. Here is some of what they are up to:
*Water and wastewater treatment is being carried out. Sampling and testing is ongoing.
*Modifications at the Springhill Water Treatment Plant are underway to introduce variable frequency drives on some
pumps and improve flow monitoring. Should be complete in mid April.
*Demolition and removal of buildings in Springhill over the last couple of weeks have included Masons Hall on Main Street, and three mine-related buildings in the industrial park.
*Replacement of the roof on the Springhill Senior Citizens Centre is expected to start
by
mid-April
and take about
a month.
*Parrsboro Well No. 5 has been drilled. Connection of the well to the pumphouse and ultimately to the water system is scheduled to start the end of April.
*The waterline on Hawks Road in Parrsboro started in 2019 should be completed by mid May.
*The Springhill Service Centre Renovations is out to tender and scheduled to close on April 21.
|
|
We have an Accessibility Committee!
The Municipality of Cumberland wants to be more accessible, and we would love your input!
We know that one-third of people in Cumberland County live with at least one disability. Armed with that information, along with the NS Accessibility Act, we recently formed an accessibility committee, which is made up of staff and community representatives.
Our end goal is to find out how we can be a more accessible Municipality to our residents, visitors, and staff with disabilities. We would love to hear your input on this!
Thanks for your participation!
|
|
Learn 2 Lead is a series of workshops organized by Cumberland area municipalities (Cumberland County, Oxford, Amherst) to offer their residents opportunities to train locally, rather than needing to travel. The goal is to provide additional training to leaders in our communities - volunteers, coaches, and leaders of all backgrounds.
We have had to cancel most of our spring workshops, but we are making some changes and
plan to offer some workshops online.
|
|
Second Annual Fundy Shore Winter Carnival
This carnival was created out of a desire to see communities along the Fundy Shore connected and to get people outside in the coldest month of the year. And boy, did we ever!
For our second annual winter carnival, held in February 2020, our brochure listed 41 separate events in a number of communities along the shore (including Colchester County)!!
Our committee consists of representatives from both Cumberland and Colchester counties. This includes municipal representatives, Community Health Boards, the Fundy Geological Museum, and more!
If you would like to be involved in the planning OR if you would like to host an event in 2021 along the Fundy Shore, please
contact us.
|
|
Chilli WIlli Winter Festival
In mid-February the 2020 Chilli Willi Winter Festival kicked off with the annual Sticks and Pucks.
Loads more great events took place throughout the week, including: Outdoor Family Music Skate, free general skates, Adult Billiards Pool Tournament, Movie night, and the Family Coasting Party.
During the week numerous events were supported and held throughout the community, including Springhill Elementary Schools Dress-up Days, Salvation Army's Turkey Dinner, and Canada Post Springhill's always popular Captain Black Patch McFarlane Treasure Hunt.
The Springhill Elementary Schools also joined us for Graffiti On Ice, where the students take to the ice with paint and markers and color it up!
We would like to thank all our sponsors for making this year's Chilli Willi Winter Festival another success!
|
|
|
|
Building Inspection Services
In light of the continued developments with the COVID-19 virus, the Municipality of Cumberland will be postponing fire inspections indefinitely and required building inspections will be dealt with on an individual basis.
Our building officials are available to residents via email and phone to process applications.
Current permit holders are required to contact the building official at each required inspection stage as indicated on their permit prior to proceeding with construction.
To contact Building Inspections by email please use
[email protected] or by phone at 902-667-1142
|
|
Mechanic Street Park contract awarded
Municipal Council approved awarding the contract for the Mechanic Street Park Design and Build Services to ABC Recreation at their meeting March 4, 2020. The contract is valued at $232, 000 before tax.
Park design includes developing a parking area, walking track, splashpad, and playground space. Both the splashpad and playground will have components engineered to be accessible in addition to graded access to the spaces designed for ease of use. The construction is expected to be complete before Summer 2020.
At this point in time, there are no provincial restrictions on construction, but that may change in the coming weeks. We will strive to keep the community informed of any changes via our Facebook page.
ABC Recreation is a Canadian-owned company that has been a trusted partner for municipalities, landscape architects, campgrounds and childcare centres across Central and Eastern Canada for more than 25 years.
|
|
Farm Credit Canada - Agri-Spirit Fund
Do you have a project that will enhance lives or contribute to sustainability in your rural community? The FCC AgriSpirit Fund may provide between $5,000 to $25,000 to projects that qualify in a city, town or Indigenous community with fewer than 150,000 people.
Types of projects considered:
- Capital projects - construction or upgrades to a hospital, medical centre, childcare facility, rink, sportsplex or the purchase of fire and rescue equipment
- Sustainability projects - upgrades to heating and cooling systems in a community building, installing new windows in a recreation centre or purchasing capital items for a recycling facility
Application deadline extended to April 17, 2020.
Learn More
|
|
|
|
|
Age-Friendly Communities Grant
The Age-friendly Community Grant Program provides funding up to $25,000 for projects that lead to more age-friendly communities. Projects funded through the program help advance the goals outlined in Shift: Nova Scotia's Action Plan for an Aging Population.
Projects must fall into one of two broad categories:
- Age-friendly community planning: Consultation and community planning initiatives that result in robust action plans and age-friendly communities. These planning initiatives must be in partnership with local government and include consultation with and engagement of older adults, the broader community, and key stakeholders.
- Community projects: Innovative projects (could be collaborative) to develop and/or implement programs, services, resources or events that support active, healthy living; help older adults stay connected to community life; maximize the economic and social contributions of older adults; and increase social interaction and community involvement among older adults.
Applications open April 1, 2020.
Learn More
|
|
|
|
Local Festivals - Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage
Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage - Local Festivals component provides funding to local groups for recurring festivals that present the work of local artists, artisans or heritage performers. This includes the celebration of LGBTQ2+ communities and Indigenous cultural celebrations.
Applicants must:
- encourage local community engagement through activities that promote, celebrate and preserve local performing and visual arts or local heritage; and
- have successfully organized a prior edition of the festival, within the last two years, that met all eligibility requirements of this component.
Successful applicants may receive up to 100 per cent of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $200,000 for festivals that:
- present the work of local artists, artisans, or heritage performers;
- actively involve members of the local community; and
- are intended for and accessible to the general public.
Application Deadlines
- January 31 - for festivals starting between September 1 and December 31
- April 30 - for festivals starting between January 1 and June 30
- September 30 - for festivals starting between July 1 and August 31
Learn More
|
|
Recreational Trail Expansion Program
The Recreational Trail Expansion Grant Program provides funding to community groups, municipalities
, Mi'kmaq Band Councils, and not-for- profit organizations to develop new trails, expand recreational trails, and perform capital upgrades to existing trails in order to increase opportunities for Nova Scotians to recreate in the outdoors and connect with nature.
The guidelines for the Recreational Trail Expansion Grant program are attached.
If you want to discuss the Recreational Trails Expansion Grant program and obtain an application please contact Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage Trails Consultant, Steve Vines
at [email protected]
or 902-396-1325.
Recognizing the current COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges facing many trail stakeholders, CCH is extending the deadline to apply to the Recreational Trail Expansion Program from April 14, 2020 to April 30, 2020, 4:30 pm.
Learn More
|
|
Community Anniversaries - Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage
Funding is available for non-recurring events that mark the 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th); of a significant local historical event or personality.
Funding includes capital projects up to a maximum amount of $25,000 (such as community art projects, restoration of objects, community history books, statues and murals). Successful projects may receive up to 100% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $200,000 for events that:
- present the work of local artists, artisans and heritage performers or specialists;
- actively involve members of the local community; and
- are intended for and accessible to the general public.
Application deadline:
April 30
for events that will occur during the next calendar year.
Learn More
|
|
The Emergency Repair Program helps low-income homeowners in rural areas pay for emergency repairs so they can continue to safely live in their homes. You can receive a grant of up to $7,000 for eligible repairs (e.g. heating systems, chimneys, doors & windows, foundations, plumbing, electrical systems, etc.)
This additional program administered by Housing Nova Scotia helps homeowners make emergency repairs to their homes. Eligible homeowners can receive a forgivable loan up to $6,500 to help cover the costs of materials and labour.
|
|
The Senior Citizens Assistance Program
If you are a Nova Scotian senior and would like to stay in your home but can't afford the necessary repairs to roofing, plumbing, or heating, Housing Nova Scotia is ready to give you a grant of up to $6,500 to cover these costs.
|
|
Designed to help with the rising cost of home energy, this Service Nova Scotia rebate is automatically applied to your power bill for most people (those homes fueled by home-delivered oil, propane, firewood, and natural gas).
Those with homes powered by other energy sources, such as kerosene, coal, and wood pellets need to
apply. The rebate you receive is equal to the provincial portion of the HST on your bill.
|
|
Nova Scotia Co-operative Council to provide free coverage of prescription medications to 1,000 Nova Scotians who are impacted by loss of wages and health benefits
(Nova Scotia - March 27th, 2020) The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council is announcing it will fund 1,000 year-long memberships for Nova Scotians to help ease the financial strain of prescription medications. The announcement of the new program entitled Co-Pharm, comes amid the Covid-19 pandemic when many are facing financial uncertainty due to job losses or budget cuts. With the rampant layoffs also comes the concern of losing health insurance coverage achieved through employers.
"The last thing Nova Scotians should be worrying about during this economically trying time is being able to afford the everyday prescription medications they need to stay healthy," said Dianne Kelderman, CEO of the council. "We hope this donation to Nova Scotians will help ease the financial burden and stress on those who are vulnerable in our region."
|
|
WEBINAR: Adjustments to Fundraising Activities and Plans - with David Oyler
Webinar Description: The presentation will cover topics relevant to the current environment with an emphasis on getting feedback from the webinar participants on ways they are handling their own situations and to share information. Topics will include special events, annual campaigns, and eligibility for the federal wage subsidy.
Facilitator: David Oyler is the Owner and Operator of Oyler Consulting. Oyler Consulting works with organizations and allied sector professionals to effectively deliver their programs and services. Services include practical guidance on Canada Revenue Agency policy for registered charities, fundraising and revenue generation development, assistance for organizations seeking to register as a charity, and meeting facilitation.
|
|
Efficiency upgrade financing available
The Municipality of Cumberland and the Town of Amherst have teamed up with the Clean Foundation to offer qualified homeowners low-interest financing for energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes.
The Property Assessed Clean Energy program is administered by the Clean Foundation for the municipalities, and starts with a home assessment to see if homeowners could save as much or even more in energy and heating expenses than the cost of the retrofits. Financing is available on a first come, first-serve basis, with each municipality committed to up to 10 homes per year.
"We offer low-interest financing to homeowners to help them make clean energy upgrades to their home," explained Andrew MacDonald, director of finance for the Municipality of Cumberland. "The financing is for up to $25,000 and is paid back over a 10-year period."
Learn More
|
|
|
"FEEL GOOD" LOCAL STORIES
|
|
Victory weirs along the Fundy Shore
Check out the Mainstreet Parrsboro
Facebook page to follow the Victory Weirs they are organizing. Drop off of fish has begun and painting should commence at home soon. It looks like there will be a Victory Weir in Parrsboro, Port Greville, AND Advocate.
|
|
Social Distance Concert Series
Feeling the lack of entertainment due to the current restrictions? Then the Band Association, the Lions Club, and Parrsboro Radio are going to do their part to try to help.
Beginning on March 29th, at 7:00, live music concerts will be streamed from The Hall - with the entertainers staying well apart from each other - and you will be able to watch for free on Eastlink Channel 5, hear it live on CICR, or go to the Live Web Events page at
www.thehall.ca
and enjoy the finest live entertainment in the county.
Tune in, enjoy, be safe and be kind.
|
|
|
NEW PAYMENT METHOD AVAILABLE
|
|
Pre-authorized debit payment now available
A new method of payment is now possible.
Pre-authorized debits will be made available to residents for payment on tax accounts, water accounts, sewer accounts and PACE repayment.
To register for pre-authorized debit payment,
forms can be found here. Within 3 business days the information will be registered within our payment systems.
Terms for pre-authorized debit include either the 1
st or 15
th of the month, or an entire invoice on the due date.
|
|
|
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
|
|
Our Social Media Platforms
The following social media pages are maintained by the Municipality:
MUNICIPALITY OF CUMBERLAND
CUMBERLAND ENERGY AUTHORITY
CUMBERLAND REGIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
PLAN CUMBERLAND
SPRINGHILL RECREATION
PARRSBORO RECREATION
|
|
Never forget your garbage day again!
The Cumberland Central Landfill has made it even easier for residents to stay connected with waste management collection and programs.
Download the free Solid Waste Mobile App by searching for
Cumberland County Solid Waste
in the App Store. Use your mobile phone to view collection schedules, receive collection reminders and
service alerts for any interruptions to waste collection such as cancellations due to weather. Residents can also sign up online by visiting
www.cjsma.ns.ca
.
Wondering what goes where? Visit
www.cjsma.ns.ca
to use the new Waste Wizard and search our
database of over 300 items for disposal options.
|
|
|
CJSMA also provides sorting guides, information about upcoming Household Hazardous Waste events, FAQs, and information about provincial solid waste programs available to residents.
For more information about Solid Waste Collection Schedules and Routes in your community, please visit Cumberland Joint Services Management Authority. |
Use our online tax payment system:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
