News
Peter McCracken appointed Municipality of Cumberland’s next CAO effective Oct. 1
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Peter McCracken has been named as the next chief administrative officer for the Municipality of Cumberland.
He begins his new duties with the Municipality on Oct. 1, 2026.
He will replace Greg Herrett, who is retiring as CAO on Sep. 30.
“I thank Council for putting their trust in me as their next CAO. We have an excellent Mayor and Council who work well together, have proven they aren’t afraid of difficult conversations, and make good decisions for the people of Cumberland,” McCracken said. “Operationally, we have first-rate employees who work hard and are led by an accomplished senior management team. Those two things reinforce my confidence as I step into this new role.
“We have many challenges ahead, and I look forward to working with Council, our employees and our many partners to achieve great things.”
McCracken joined the Municipality of Cumberland as deputy CAO in September 2022 from the Municipality of Colchester County, where he served as the manager of corporate planning and strategic initiatives.
He led the implementation of Council priorities related to the Clear the Deck report, including the creation of the Municipality’s asset management program, a comprehensive review of the personnel policy manual and an in-depth municipal policy and by-law review.
He also oversaw the transfer of the employee pension program, creation of the communications strategy, the overhaul of the municipal grant policy and programs and the modernization of the Municipality’s IT services.
He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Dalhousie University and a bachelor of recreation degree from Brock University.
Prior to working with the Municipality of Colchester, he worked as the recreation director for the Municipality of Yarmouth and spent 15 years in various roles with the provincial government.
Speaking on behalf of Council, Mayor Rod Gilroy said, “I want to congratulate Peter on his appointment as Chief Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Cumberland. Peter has already demonstrated strong leadership, professionalism, and a deep commitment to our communities during his time as Deputy CAO.
“His experience, collaborative approach, and understanding of municipal operations make him an excellent choice to lead our organization forward. We look forward to working with him as we continue to address challenges and build on opportunities for the residents of Cumberland.”
RFP-MCC-2601 Supply of 3/4 Ton Pickup Truck
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The Municipality of the County of Cumberland is currently advertising a request for proposal for “Supply of 3/4 Ton Pickup Truck“
Accessibility Advisory Committee Seeking Members
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The Accessibility Advisory Committee is a group of citizens and municipal staff who want to help make Cumberland more accessible.
Accessibility is making it easier for people with disabilities to live full lives. The committee’s job is to give advice to Council about accessibility in the Municipality.
Please send a letter of interest by Friday, April 10, 2026.
A letter of interest explains what kinds of perspectives and experiences you could bring to the committee.
If you have questions, or would like to be on the committee, please reach the Community Engagement Coordinator at
Letters of interest can be sent to
Mail: Municipality of Cumberland County
Attn: Clerk's Office
1395 Blair Lake Rd.
Upper Nappan, NS
B4H 3Y4
The Terms of Reference will tell you details about the committee. https://www.cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/doclink/accessibility-advisory-committee-terms-of-reference-feb-2026/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJhY2Nlc3NpYmlsaXR5LWFkdmlzb3J5LWNvbW1pdHRlZS10ZXJtcy1vZi1yZWZlcmVuY2UtZmViLTIwMjYiLCJpYXQiOjE3NzM2NjQ1NzcsImV4cCI6MTc3Mzc1MDk3N30.EM5Q9gDendkjhkD8l51G2rub6ErtEiFhlsa7ybZLJvU
The Policy on Citizen Appointments will tell you about things like the honorarium. https://www.cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/.../65.../file.html
Notice of Adoption: By-laws 26-01 and 26-02
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Notice of Adoption
Second Reading and Adoption of these By-laws took place on March 25th, 2026 at a Regular Council meeting.
The purpose of the adopted By-laws are:
By-law to Amend the Land Use By-law 26-01
- to rezone PID 25244914, 150 Junction Rd., Springhill from Mixed-use (CMix) Zone to General Commercial (CGen) Zone.
By-law to Amend the Land Use By-law 26-02
- to rezone a portion of PID 25144049, 3544 Kolbec Rd., Port Howe from Agriculture (AG) Zone to Commercial Recreation (CRec) Zone.
Any aggrieved person, the Provincial Director of Planning, or the Council of any adjoining municipality may, within fourteen days of the publishing of this notice, appeal to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (1-855-442-4448 /
For a copy, please click here: By-laws - Municipality of Cumberland For further information, please call 902-667-1142, 1-888-756-6262 (toll free), or email
Peter McCracken
Deputy CAO / Municipal Clerk
Municipality of Cumberland approves $43.2-million operating, $13.3-million capital budgets
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The Municipality of Cumberland approved a $43.2-million operating budget and a $13.3-million capital budget at a special meeting on Monday, March 30, 2026.
It was the second consecutive year that the Municipality's operating and capital budgets have been brought forward for Council's consideration and final approval prior to the beginning of the fiscal year.
The Municipality’s commercial assessment values increased about 3.5 per cent and residential capped assessment grew by about 7.6 per cent. With the Property Valuation Services Corporation setting the assessment cap at 2.6 per cent, real residential assessment growth, or new assessment, was about 5 per cent. This growth produced about $1.9 million in additional tax revenue.
This additional revenue, along with an estimated $1 million in recoveries from the new extended producer responsibility (EPR) program provided the necessary funding for day-to-day operations and allowed for some significant transfers to reserves for future infrastructure and fire fighting apparatus.
Mandatory costs for policing, education, the PVSC and provincial roads increased by an estimated $850,000. Mandatory contributions to education and policing costs took the biggest chunk of that.
Salary and benefits costs rose due to inflation adjustments for staff and increased pension, benefits and WCB costs. A salary review recommended some adjustments. An allowance has been made in this budget for those adjustments.
The provision of fire protection is one of the Municipality’s significant cost drivers. The municipality supports 15 volunteer fire departments, operating over 90 individual trucks and pieces of equipment essential to the fire service.
In addition, the Municipality makes payments under agreement with three fire departments in Amherst, Oxford and Five Islands. The annual budget this year for the fire service is $3.3 million.
It is estimated that operating costs alone in the fire service will rise by about $300,000. A significant part of this is a $176,000 debenture payment for the new Springhill Fire Hall.
The Municipality is also estimating that costs related to solid waste management - collection, tip fees and transfer stations - will rise by about $180,000.
With over $700 million in municipal infrastructure and equipment, the capital budget is also a key piece of the annual budget. The capital budget for 2026-27 comes in at $13.3 million, with lion's share or just over $7.7 million, of that being spent on fire buildings, apparatus ( trucks ) and equipment.
An additional $3.5 million is earmarked for building upgrading, vehicles, equipment and infrastructure like sewage treatment plants.
Another $2.1 million, funded partially by the Canada Community Building Fund (gas tax), is set aside for capital paving. An additional $969,595 is being spent on paving and sidewalks this year in Springhill, funded partially by the Springhill Area Rate reserve and borrowing $650,000. The debt service on this borrowing will be funded from an existing annual surplus in Springhill Area Rate funds.
Overall, the capital budget is funded from operations, reserves, the Canada Community Building Fund and planned long-term debt of $4.8 million.
Despite rising costs and future cost pressures, the Municipality was able to keep the overall tax rates the same as the prior year. While maintaining the tax rate, the budget also increases contributions to capital reserves to address infrastructure renewal.
The general residential rate remains at $1.17 per $100 assessment and the commercial general rate remains at $2.74 per $100 assessment. Property owners in the former towns of Springhill and Parrsboro also pay area rates in addition to the general rate. The Springhill and Parrsboro area rate is $0.48 per $100 assessment for residential and $1.19 per $100 assessment for commercial properties.
The village rate for the Village of Pugwash increased by one cent per $100 of assessment.
The operating costs for our municipal sewer systems have been outpacing revenues for all three systems - Rural, Springhill and Parrsboro. A five per cent increase in sewer charges in all three systems is also recommended.
Speaking for council, Mayor Rod Gilroy said, “This budget reflects a balanced and responsible approach—maintaining stable tax rates while continuing to invest in the infrastructure and services our residents rely on every day. At the same time, we are strengthening our reserves to ensure we’re prepared for future challenges and long-term growth.”
To read the 2026-27 Operating and Capital Budget click here.