News
Parrsboro Fire Department Takes Delivery of New Rescue Vehicle from Municipality
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The Municipality of Cumberland continues to invest in its fire departments to better protect local communities.
The Parrsboro Fire Department has received a new 2026 F-550 walk-around rescue truck from the Municipality. The truck was built by Fort Garry Fire Trucks in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It includes slide-out trays on both sides, making it easier for firefighters to access equipment during emergencies.
The new truck replaces a 1994 Freightliner rescue vehicle.
“This new truck is very important to our department,” said Fire Chief Allan Bennett. “It replaces an older vehicle that served us well. The new truck is smaller and easier to drive on narrow streets and in tight spaces.”
Municipal Property Owners Receiving 2026 Assessment Notices from PVSC
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Property owners within the Municipality of Cumberland are receiving their 2026 Assessment Notices by mail from the Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC).
Assessments are conducted annually by the corporation, the province’s independent, municipally funded, not-for profit assessment authority. Values reflect market conditions as of Jan. 1, 2025, and the physical state of each property as of Dec. 1, 2025, including any renovations or demolitions.
This year’s Assessment Roll reaches $206.3 billion provincially - a growth of 8% over last year.
In the Municipality of Cumberland, residential assessments grew from $3,305,613,400 in 2025 to $3,555,605,200 in 2026. Commercial assessments increased from $388,790,200 in 2025 to $397,026,400 in 2026.
The total assessment roll increased to $3,952,631,600 in 2026 from $3,694,403,600 in 2025.
“The 2026 Roll reflects steady growth across residential and commercial markets in Nova Scotia,” says Charlene MacNeil, Director of Assessment.
“Smaller, affordable options such as manufactured homes remain strong, while industrial parks and vacant land lead commercial growth. Apartments, condominiums, and other multi-unit properties - such as duplexes - are also experiencing notable growth, driven by new construction provincewide.”
The Capped Assessment Program (CAP) rate is 2.6%, up from 1.5% last year. Approximately 72% of residential properties - 416,847 accounts - qualify for the CAP, which limits the amount the taxable assessed value can increase year over year.
PVSC representatives and assessors are available to answer property owner questions at 1-800-380-7775 or
The deadline to appeal your 2026 property assessment is Feb. 12, 2026. Your signed appeal must be received no later than midnight on Feb. 12, 2026.
Requesting citizen membership for municipality's Audit Committee
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The Municipality of Cumberland is looking for an interested resident to serve as a citizen member on the Municipality’s Audit Committee.
Please submit a letter outlining your interest and qualifications on or before February 3rd, 2026.
Email:
Mail: Municipality of Cumberland, Attn: Clerk’s Office, 1395 Blair Lake Rd., Upper Nappan, NS B4H 3Y4
The Municipality’s Policy on Citizen Appointments, which can be found here: Policies - Municipality of Cumberland, contains information relating to remuneration and reimbursement of travel expenses.
Municipality of Cumberland Inviting Volunteer Nominations
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Every year, communities across Canada mark National Volunteer Week by celebrating the incredible people who give their time and talents to make our communities stronger.
In 2026, we will celebrate from April 19 to 25, and we want to recognize the outstanding volunteers who make Cumberland County such a wonderful place to live.
The Municipality of the County of Cumberland is inviting nominations for volunteers who go above and beyond. All nominees will be celebrated at a special event this April, where we will honour their contributions. Some nominees may also be considered for Provincial Volunteer Awards, including one exceptional volunteer who will represent Cumberland as our Provincial Volunteer of the Year.
Council may also put forward additional nominees for other provincial categories.
Every nominated volunteer will receive a personal letter of thanks and an invitation to join us at the Cumberland Volunteer Celebration in April to receive a certificate from the Mayor and Council.
Those selected to represent the Municipality at the provincial level will also be invited to the Provincial Volunteer Appreciation Event in Halifax this September.
Nominations can be submitted:
1. In person at any municipal Service Centre:
• Springhill: Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre, 6 Main St., Springhill
• Upper Nappan: 1395 Blair Lake Road, Upper Nappan
• Parrsboro: 209 Main St., Parrsboro
• Pugwash: Pugwash Library, 10182 Durham St., Pugwash (Open Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Service Centres are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The nomination form can be downloaded here:
https://www.cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/services/forms-and-applications/other
2. By email to
3. Online by completing the electronic nomination form.
Please submit all nominations on or before Feb. 27, 2026.
For more information, please call 902-763-3000.
Mayor Gilroy looks back at successful 2025 and ahead to 2026
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The past year was one of continued progress within the Municipality of Cumberland.
“As we look back on 2025, I am filled with pride at what we have accomplished together here in the municipality,” Mayor Rod Gilroy said. “This year has been one of meaningful progress — progress rooted in collaboration, community values and a shared commitment to improving the quality of life for every resident across our rural communities.”
The municipality supported the development of affordable and sustainable housing with an investment of $300,000 in support of construction of new housing units at Sunrise Landing in Pugwash.
It continued to invest in rural fire departments with a new truck in Wallace and delivered a new rescue vehicle for the Tidnish Bridge Volunteer Fire Department. The municipality is also taking delivery of a new rescue vehicle for the Parrsboro Fire Department in early January.
The municipality committed $14.3 million in capital projects including upgrades to the Springhill Wastewater Treatment Plant, self-contained breathing apparatus and air cylinders for our fire departments as well as $700,000 for capital paving in Springhill and $450,000 in Parrsboro.