Councillors
Council represents the views of citizens, while mediating between conflicting interests in the community, making choices between tax rates and levels of services, and determining priorities for the allocation of resources. All decisions of council in the exercise of its powers and duties are made by resolution, Policies & By-laws. The powers and duties of the Municipality (its jurisdiction and mandate) are specifically assigned in the Nova Scotia Municipal Government Act and relate to such things as sewage collection and treatment, solid waste collection, recovery and disposal, fire protection service, policing, land use planning, emergency measures,recreation, street lighting, building inspection, canine control, economic and community development, and bylaw enforcement. Council also acts as an advocate on other public issues of community interest that may not be within their formal mandate.
Councillors are also considered Commissionars of Oath. Under the Municipal Government Act, Councillors, while in office, may administer oaths and take and receive legal affidavits, declarations, and affirmations within Nova Scotia, to be used within Nova Scotia.

Pictured back row from left to right: Councillor Don Fletcher, Councillor Maryanne Jackson, Councillor Michael McLellan, Councillor Barbara Palmer, Councillor Dan Rector, Councillor Norman Rafuse, Councillor Ernest Gilbert and CAO Rennie Bugley. Pictured front row from left to right: Councillor Lynne Welton, Councillor Marlon Chase, Warden Allison Gillis, Deputy Warden Joe van Vulpen, Councillor Paul Porter, and Councillor Doug Williams.
- Paul Porter, District 1
- Marlon Chase, District 2
- Joe van Vulpen, District 3
- Warden Allison Gillis, District 4
- Lynne Welton, District 5
- Barbara Palmer, District 6
- Daniel Rector, District 7
- Ernest Gilbert, District 8
- Michael McLellan, District 9
- Deputy Warden Donald Fletcher, District 10
- Doug Williams, District 11
- Maryanne Jackson, District 12
- Norman Rafuse, District 13
Council Meetings
Meeting dates and times are posted on our council meetings calendar.
Details of previous meetings can be viewed here: council minutes.
Related Links
Department of Municipal Affairs
Information that is of interest to municipal employees, elected officials, residents, students and others who seek a greater understanding of municipal government in Nova Scotia.
Paul Porter - District 1
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 660-5475 (h)
(902) 694-7742 (c)
(902) 667-4333 (w)
Address: 279 D'Orsay Road, Amherst, NS, B4H 3Y2
Send an email to Paul Porter
District 1 Communities
1-1: Fort Lawrence, West Amherst
1-2: Amherst Point, East Amherst, Upper Nappan (part), Brookdale (part)
Marlon Chase - District 2
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 664-6347 (c)
Primary Contact (902) 661-0632 (h)
Address:18560 Highway 2, Nappan, NS B4H 3Y2
Send an email to Marlon Chase
District 2 Communities
2-1: Chignecto, Maccan (part), Nappan (part)
2-2: Fenwick, Upper Nappan (part)
2-3: Brookdale (part), Hastings, Salem, Stanley
Deputy Warden Joe van Vulpen - District 3
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 667-5333 (h)
(902) 664-2933 (c)
Address: 1230 Highway 6, Warren, NS, B4H 3Y2
Send an email to Joe van Vulpen
District 3 Communities
3-1: Amherst Shore, Chapman Settlement, Shinimicas, Lower Shinimicas, Northport
3-2: Lorneville, Tidnish Bridge, Tidnish Cross Roads
3-3: Amherst Head, Truemanville, Tyndal Road, Warren
Warden Allison Gillis - District 4
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 243-3313
Address:30 Water Street, P.O. Box 301, Pugwash, NS, B0K 1L0
Send an email to Al Gillis
District 4 Communities
4-1: Gulf Shore (part), Miller Road, North Wallace Bay, Pugwash, South Pugwash, Wallace Bay (part)
4-2: Conns Mills, Hartford, Port Philip, Pugwash Junction, Pugwash River, Rockley, West Pugwash
Lynne Welton - District 5
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 902-257-1137 (h)
(902) 664-8702 (c)
Address: 13153 HWY 6, Wallace, NS, B0K 1Y0
Send an email to Lynne Welton
District 5 Communities
5-1: Malagash Station, Wallace Ridge, North Shore, Upper Malagash, Malagash Centre, Malagash Mine, Malagash Point
5-2: Fox Harbour, North Wallace, Wallace Bridge, Wallace River West, Kerrs Mills, Middleboro, Wallace Highlands, Wallace Grant, Richmond, Wallace Station, Wallace, East Wallace, Fountain Road, Wallace Bay (part), Gulf Shore (part)
Barbara Palmer - District 6
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 548-2795 (h)
(902) 897-8372 (c)
Address: 12776 Highway 4, Wentworth, NS, B0M 1Z0
Send an email to Barbara Palmer
District 6 Communities
6-1: River Philip, Millvale, Collingwood Corner, Wyvern, Poison Lake, Farmington, Williamsdale
6-2: Thomson Station, Jersey, Atkinson, Greenville Station, Lower Greenville, Rose, Westchester, Stevens Mountain, Westchester Mountain, Cross Road Mountain, Higgins Mountain, Sutherland Lake
6-3: Victoria, South Victoria, Streets Ridge, West Wentworth, Lower Wentworth, Wentworth Centre, Wentworth, Hart Lake, Mattatall Lake, Hartford, Angevine Lake
Daniel Rector - District 7
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 447-3120 (h)
(902) 447-2887 (w)
Address: 22 CN Drive, Oxford Junction, N.S., B0M 1R0
Send an email to Daniel Rector
District 7 Communities
7-1: Linden, Port Howe, Lake Killarney, Beckwith, Riverview
7-2: Mount Pleasant, Kolbec, Little River, Black River Road, Glenville, Oxford Junction, Birchwood, Hansford, Roslin
7-3: West Leicester, East Leicester, Mansfield
7-4: Salt Springs, Claremont
Ernest Gilbert - District 8
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 545-2368 (h)
Address: 215 Littleforks Road, Southampton, NS, B0M 1W0
Send an email to Ernie Gilbert
District 8 Communities
8-1: Valley Road, Windham Hill, Rodney, Leamington, Springhill (part)
8-2: Little Forks, Springhill Junction
8-3: Athol, South Athol, Athol Road, Southampton, East Southampton, Mapleton, East Mapleton, South Brook, Gilbert Mountain, West Brook, New Cannan
8-4: Pettigrew Settlement, Harrison Settlement, Halfway River, Lakelands, Franklin Manor 22
Michael McLellan - District 9
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 251-2202 (h)
(902) 251-2252 (w/f)
(902) 694-8222 (c)
Address: 314 Hardscrabble Road, Joggins, N.S., B0L 1A0
Send an email to Michael McLellan
District 9 Communities
9-1: Lower Maccan, Maccan Woods, Maccan (part)
9-2: Minudie, Barronsfield, Lower River Hebert, River Hebert East (Strathcona), River Hebert
9-3: Lower Cove, Joggins, Ragged Reef, Shulie, Chignecto Game Sanctuary
Councillor Donald Fletcher - District 10
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 392-2727 (h)
Address: 1338 Route 209 (New Salem), Parrsboro, N.S., B0M 1S0
Send an email to Donald Fletcher
District 10 Communities
10-1: Spicers Cove, Apple River, New Salem, Sand River, Red River, North Greville
10-2: Eatonville, Isle Haute, West Advocate, Advocate Harbour, Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
10-3: Allen Hill, Fraserville, East Fraserville, Allenville, Spencers Island
10-4: Brookville, Port Greville, Wards Brook, Fox River
10-5: Diligent River
10-6: Kirkhill, Wharton, West Bay, Cross Roads, New Prospect, Greenhill, Two Islands, Moose River, Lower Five Islands
Doug Williams - District 11
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 694-8854 (c)
Primary Contact: (902) 597-8854 (h)
Address: 58 Queen Street, P.O. Box 937, Springhill, NS, B0M 1X0
send an email to Doug Williams
District 11 & 12 Communities
11-1: Springhill (part), Athol Road (part)
12-1: Springhill (part)
Maryanne Jackson - District 12
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 763-2294 (h)
Address: 140 Main Street, P.O. Box 2858, Springhill, NS, B0M 1X0
send an email to Maryanne Jackson
District 11 & 12 Communities
11-1: Springhill (part), Athol Road (part)
12-1: Springhill (part)
Norman Rafuse - District 13
Term: OCT 2016 TO OCT 2020
Phone: (902) 254-3366 (h)
(902) 254-4266 (c)
(902) 254-3436 (w)
Address: 370 Pier Road, P.O. Box 17, Parrsboro, NS, B0M 1S0
send an email to Norman Rafuse
District 13 Communities
13: Parrsboro