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Public Council Sessions for August, 2020
In August Council does not hold regular sessions but we will be holding a special Council session on Wednesday, August 19th, which will begin at 6 p.m. The only item on the Agenda is the Shinimicas Fire Department. At this time we are holding 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
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Coronavirus Government Updates
Find up-to-date COVID-19 related information at these sites:
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Public Hearings, September 9, 2020
The Municipality of Cumberland will be holding Public Hearings on the following topics:
- Public Sewer By-Law
- Local Improvement By-Law
Date of Public Hearings: Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Public Hearings are open to the public and ensure residents have an opportunity to provide Council their comments and concerns regarding the by-laws. During the COVID-19 pandemic Council is holding virtual meetings.
For methods on how to participate please read more
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MUNICIPAL SERVICE CENTRES
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Municipal Service Centres Re-Open
Service Centres within the Municipality of Cumberland reopened to the public on July 20, 2020. All residents and staff are required to maintain public health guidelines including social distancing, hand hygiene and COVID-19 symptom monitoring.
The opening of the Service Centre function in Springhill does not include the entirety of the community centre such as public meeting spaces, recreational activities, the Ross Anderson PharmaChoice Teen Centre, the CIBC Room, or the indoor walking track.
Residents wishing to make a payment are still empowered to use the alternative payment methods including drop boxes, mailing cheques, electronic payments through a financial institution, pre-authorized payment or credit card through Paymentus.
Residents who need to meet with staff are strongly encouraged to make an appointment prior to arrival as staff offices are unavailable for meetings with the public.
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Mechanic Street Park, Springhill
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Park Construction
Construction of the Mechanic Street Park in Springhill began in June and the majority of the work is now complete.
There are, however, still a number of steps to complete before we can open safely to the public.
Phase 2 does not have a set start date yet, but it will also take place in the coming weeks.
The community has also recently participated in a vote on the park's new name, with amazing participation rates! The results will be presented to Council for approval.
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A More Accessible Cumberland County
While you are enjoying these warm summer days, remember that Heather Beach on the Northumberland Shore is staffed with lifeguards AND it has some pretty great accessible features.
The accessible beach mat is back in place, and the floating wheelchair is on site and free to use
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Operation Bluenose
The Municipality of Cumberland participated in "Operation Bluenose" on the weekend of July 24-26. The weekend was recognized across the province with blue lights, including light-ups around the Municipality of the County of Cumberland.
Operation Bluenose, was a three-night vigil, planned to recognize the strength of Nova Scotians and honour those we have lost this year.
Municipal locations which were illuminated in blue included:
* E.D. Fullerton Building, Upper Nappan
* Dr. Carson and Marion Murray Community Centre, Springhill
* Parrsboro Bandstand
* Wentworth Firehall
For more information on Operation Bluenose, please visit their Facebook page.
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Are you thinking of running in the October 17 municipal elections but are wondering about the rules, the costs and if you are cut out for it? The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) has put together all the resources you'll need to get started, with everything from Councillor Roles and Responsibilities to Media Relations.
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2020 Election Maps
*NEW!* See our upcoming 2020 Municipal Electoral Districts and Polling Station map here (PDF)
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Temporary Phone Number for Parrsboro Service Centre
As we continue to adjust to our new Service Centre location in Parrsboro we have realized that our phone lines are still unavailable. Please use 902-664-4953 as we continue to resolve the phone line situation.
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Accessible Cumberland
The Municipality of Cumberland is trying to become more accessible for everyone. We are looking for your input for developing a Accessibility Plan, and hope you find information here about our planning process and accessible features in our municipality.
Learn More
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Sport Fund focuses on community sport support. The goal of the fund is to support quality, sustainable programming, either by providing funds to help organizations create new programs, or to expand and/or enhance current programs to provide more opportunities for Nova Scotians to take part in sport.
If you are considering applying for the Sport Fund Grant please contact Vanessa Robertson to set up a consultation as soon as possible. It is important that you connect with the Regional Sport Consultant before you start the process of the grant application. For more information visit:
The next Sport Fund Application Deadline is coming up on August 15th.
Learn More
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COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Heritage Organizations - Museums Assistance Program
Details in poster above
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Community ACCESS-Ability Program
The Community ACCESS-Ability Program reflects the Government of Nova Scotia's commitment to persons with disabilities by providing equal opportunity and improved access to community facilities. This program offers cost-shared grants to community groups for accessibility related capital improvements.
The grants may cover up to two-thirds of the direct and indirect costs of renovations, installations, and/or equipment. The sponsoring organization must raise at least one-third of the funding from other sources. Organizations can receive funding for one project per year under the program.
Deadline: September 25, 2020
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The Great Trail Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
The CIP is a strategic plan that links promoting Trail projects to the priorities of Trans Canada Trail (TCT) as approved by Board of Directors.
The CIP includes the identification and prioritization of selected projects, the justification for their selection, a proposed budget, estimated completion dates and related funding linked to each project.
Implementation of the CIP provides a comprehensive overview of priorities, objectives, and collaboration between TCT and its local, and provincial and territorial partners, and allows for rigorous and efficient management of available funds.
TCT will accept applications on an ongoing basis throughout the year. No deadlines are in place.
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Planning Assistance Program 2020-21
The Planning Assistance Program assists community organizations in obtaining professional assistance in planning, designing, and researching proposed and existing sport and recreation facilities.
Generally, for each of the eligible projects described above, funding is available for up to 50% of the total cost of that project to a maximum of $10,000. In special cases including the impact of COVID-19, the applicant may be eligible up to 66%.
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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.
Learn More
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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.
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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.
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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.
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HomeWarming Program Updates Income Brackets
The Home Warming Program is a fantastic program where they offer energy assessments for low-income homeowners and thanks to being fully funded by the Province of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power, it is 100 % free to all qualified home owners in the province.
If we discover that draft-proofing, insulation or other efficiency options can help make heating & cooling your home substantially more affordable and comfortable, we'll install the upgrades at no cost to you. We'll even coordinate the retrofits.
The qualifying factors for participation in the program are home ownership and fitting into our LICO-based net-income brackets.
- 1 person in the home - $25,673 or less per year
- 2-4 people in the home - $47,703
- 5+ people in the home - $67,937
We service all heating types (electric, oil, wood, coal, natural gas, etc.) and on average, people who go through the program can see an annual savings of up to 20-30% off their annual heating bills.
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Federal Support Measures
Imagine Canada has compiled all of the Federal COVID-19 Relief Measures that are available to Voluntary & nonprofit organizations nationally in this table.
Provincial Support Measures The Community Sector Council of NS has compiled a list of all the Provincial Measures available, who is eligible for them, and how to apply all in a table on our website. This is updated regularly as new information is announced!
Non-Profit Organization Supports Are you a not-for-profit organization assisting in the COVID-19 response effort to help vulnerable Nova Scotians? Do you need help?
VolunteerNS.ca has set up a special COVID-19 response page for organizations and volunteers who want to assist in the relief effort.
Create your profile on VolunteerNS today!
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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
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CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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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
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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.
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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:
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