Municipal council approves early capital projects
Cumberland municipal council approved a series of capital projects during its regular meeting on Feb. 28.
Approved projects include the Parrsboro waterline replacement project, valued at $1.61 million and contingent on senior government funding; the Princess Street rebuild in Springhill, valued at $1.131 million; Springhill capital paving, valued at $1.126 million and Parrsboro capital paving, valued at $444,113.
The municipality has historically approved the capital and operating budgets later in the spring, but the timing of this approval can cause challenges in scheduling infrastructure work within the current construction season.
Late procurement can also increase pricing if contractor schedules are already near capacity.
To position the projects early in the contractors’ schedules and obtain optimal pricing, it was recommended the project be approved ahead of the full 2024-25 budget.
The Parrsboro water project includes replacing watermains on Whitehall Road (145 metres from Atlantic Avenue to civic 407 on Whitehall Road), 270 metres of Atlantic Avenue from Whitehall Road to the end and 186 metres of Templar Street from Eastern Avenue to Jenks Avenue.
The Princess Street rebuild will replace the existing sidewalk from Main Street to All Saints Hospital and to install a new sidewalk to the site of the new elementary school.
Storm and sanitary sewer separation at the Drummond Street intersection is required and several lead service laterals are expected to be replaced prior to paving the street.
Parrsboro’s capital paving has yet to determine which streets will be paved while in Springhill the paving will include parts of Cowan, Maple, Grey, Lorne, South, Elm (Clarence to Crossin), Harrison, McGee (McFarlane to Church), Clarence (McFarlane to Church) and Douglas.
Council forwards changes to Low Income Tax Exemption Policy to Feb. 28 meeting
Cumberland municipal council voted in favour of a recommendation to approve the Low-Income Tax Exemption Policy at its regular meeting of council on Feb. 28.
The policy will increase the income cutoff and exemption amounts to $35,776 and $525.
In May 2023, council approved revisions to the policy to provide a property tax exemption of $505 on residents’ primary residence if household income was under $34,400.
In 2022-23 there were 586 tax exemptions granted for a total of $285,883.
The current policy states the income cutoff levels and exemption amounts shall increase by an amount equal to the Consumer Price Index.
Council approves second reading of Sunrise Landing development agreement
Cumberland municipal council has passed a motion approving second reading of a development agreement for the proposed Sunrise Landing project in Pugwash.
The proposed project on the east side of Durham Street, between the intersection of Miller Road and Sheas Island Road, would see the development of 45 residential properties within 16 duplex or multiplex buildings.
In the application submitted last November by Sunset Community Incorporated, the intention is for the residential units to provide a mix of affordable and market-rate units for members of the public, including workforce housing that will support local employers struggling to recruit and retain employees because of the housing crisis.
It will also provide options for persons transitioning into the community from the adult residential centre who choose to remain in the Pugwash area.
Council also passed a motion to add the properties to its tax reduction and exemption policy.
The properties are currently assessed by PVSC as a combination of residential and resource exempt, meaning they are not subject to property taxes.
The proponent wants to have more certainty with respect to taxation of the properties, event though they are not currently subject to property taxes.
Council approves second reading of rezoning lands adjacent to Robertson Avenue in Springhill
Municipal council has approved second reading of the rezoning of lands adjacent to Robertson Avenue from parks and open space to multi-unit residential.
The lands are central within the block bounded by Mechanic, Elm, Purdy and Crossin streets.
Last month, council approved the divestiture and sale of the lands to Shaw Living Retail Limited for $42,000 plus HST and closing costs.
Council had deemed the property surplus in November 2023 and directed staff to offer the land publicly through a request for proposals.
Shaw is proposing a multi-unit residential development in row housing layouts with a common parking area.
Council approves appointment of accessibility advisory committee
Council has accepted a recommendation to appoint an accessibility advisory committee.
The accessibility advisory committee was established in 2021 and consists of representatives from the Municipality of Cumberland as well as the villages of Pugwash and River Hebert.
The committee gives advice to council on removing obstacles for people with disabilities in all the municipality’s programs and services and putting ideas into action to make life simpler and better for people with disabilities.
The committee plays an important role in reaching Nova Scotia’s goal to be accessible by 2030.
At least one half of the members of the committee must have a disability (or represent an organization that serves people with disabilities).
Existing members include: Helen Sims (Cumberland County Transportation Services), Catherine Aquino Russell (lived experience), Lisa Betts (Village of Pugwash), Melanie Prendergast (Municipality of Cumberland staff) and Maggie Pitts (Municipality of Cumberland staff).
Additionally, three new members are being proposed: Amanda Purdy (Sunset Community), Andrea Meekins (Nova Scotia Early Childhood Development Intervention Services) and Darrell Fagan (Village of River Hebert).
The lead staff member for the committee acting as a coordinator and resource is Stephanie Keilhack, the municipal community engagement coordinator.