Municipal council approves capital projects in advance of 2025-26 capital budget
Cumberland municipal council has voted to approve several capital projects in advance of the 2025-26 capital budget.
Projects include the Springhill Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade $1.786 million , a SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) for $265,000, air cylanders for the fire departments for $54,500, $700,000 for Springhill capital paving and $450,000 for Parrsboro capital paving.
The total is $3.256 million.
Springhill streets to be paved include Gilroy from Pleasant to the end, Queen from Junction Road to Lorne Street, Lower Herrett Road from McGee to West End, Black Street from Chapel to Pleasant and St. James from Drummond to Black.
Parrsboro streets to be paved include Western Avenue from Main to Maple and Whitehall Road from Philadelphia Avenue to Civic 255.
The municipality has historically approved the capital and operating budgets in late May. The timing of this approval can cause challenges in scheduling infrastructure work within the annual construction season and long lead purchases within the fiscal year. Late procurement can increase pricing if contractor schedules are already near capacity.
Agricultural property in Upper Nappan rezoned to Rural Industrial
Cumberland municipal council approved second reading of an amendment to the land-use by-law to rezone a property on the Smith Road in Upper Nappan from Agricultural to Rural Industrial.
Currently, the property is part of a network of land parcels that are used for field crops and pasturing. The subject property makes up a small portion of the existing pasture network and the proposed rezoning would rezone a small portion of the subject property.
Compass Minerals has acquired the mineral rights for the subject property and is now looking to obtain a development permit for the development and operation of a new salt brine well. This would allow Compass Minerals to enhance their current operation and provide a backup source for salt brine acquisition.
The proposed development would be essential for the continued operation of the salt plant, as Compass Minerals is in the process of decommissioning one of their salt wells and will need to replace the decommissioned well to meet production market demands.
Compass Minerals employs 55 people and has been located at 327 Smith St. in Upper Nappan since 1941.
Municipal council approves development agreement for King Street in Springhill
Cumberland municipal council has approved second reading of a development agreement for 2 King St., Springhill, that would allow for the operation of a commercial business on the property.
The subject property is located on the corner of Lisgar Street and King Street. The subject property is currently zoned Lower Density Residential (RLow) and is located on the outskirts of a residential neighbourhood, adjacent to the Springhill Industrial Park.
The property has frontage on Lisgar Street, which was recently converted to a designated trucking route for trucks delivering to the Industrial Park and to the Springhill Community as a whole. The current property owner plans to re-open a commercial business on the property, a tire and auto parts store.
Council votes to renew insurance policies with Arthur J. Gallagher and BFL Canada
During a special meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Cumberland municipal council voted to renew the general insurance policies to Arthur J. Gallagher for $377,218 and the volunteer fire department insurance policies to BFL Canada for $472,389 effective April 1, 2025.
The municipality issued an RFP for insurance services in January 2024. This was for insurance brokers to provide quotes on the 2024-2025 insurance coverage.
The insurance services for the general insurance were awarded to Arthur J. Gallagher for approximately $352,623 and the volunteer fire department insurance services to BFL Canada for approximately $427,856 in March 2024.
The RFP allowed for subsequent renewals to be granted (up to five years total) if there was satisfactory performance and service.The renewal was discussed with both brokers and the municipality received an estimated increase of 5-10 per cent to the premiums. Actual renewal premiums are not received until the official renewal occurs.