News & Events

News release: Councils plan to work together on sustainable operation of HB Studios Sports Centre

Details

Published: Tuesday, 09 April 2019 18:43

April 9, 2019 – At a special joint meeting between the Town of Bridgewater (TOB) and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) on April 9, the Councils declined the funding request of the South Shore Field House Society (which operates the HB Studios Sports Centre), and instead directed their respective CAOs to prepare a report on alternative models for the sustainable operation of the fieldhouse facility.

“As the public is aware, HB Studios Sports Centre is struggling right now under the weight of its debts,” said Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell. “Both the Town and the Municipality recognize the importance of this regional facility – it is one of just a handful of year-round indoor turf facilities in the entire province. It not only serves soccer players and a variety of other athletes of all ages from Lunenburg and Queens counties, but it’s also an asset that draws people in from other parts of Nova Scotia and has a positive economic impact on our region.”

The South Shore Field House Society opened HB Studios Sports Centre in 2006. At that time, both municipal units agreed to each contribute a combined $620,000 in operating funds over 10 years. During this time, the Society was unable to pay off the capital debt from the construction of the facility. Today, the Society’s debt stands at more than $400,000.

Though the facility is the only indoor sports field in the area and boasts a diverse user group, the cost to run such a facility is high. In 2018/2019, the municipalities contributed $32,000 from MODL and $25,000 from TOB. This spring, the Society requested that the municipalities each commit to contributing more than $40,000 per year for a period of five years to help alleviate the Society’s debt and cash-flow issues.

After careful consideration of this most recent request, the Councils agreed that in order to balance the needs and requests of community groups with fiscal responsibility and accountability, the current funding request cannot be supported. Instead, the CAOs will work with the Society and other stakeholders to develop alternatives for Council consideration that would allow the facility to operate in a fiscally sustainable manner. 

“Our Council is very interested in working with the Town of Bridgewater, and continuing a dialogue with stakeholders, including the Society, to explore other options for the future sustainable operation of the facility,” said the Municipality’s Mayor, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “Our goal is to ensure that fieldhouse remains part of our region’s vibrant recreational offerings. Our Councils firmly believe that there is a path forward and it must be a true collaborative effort with all local municipalities helping to share the load.”

-30-

For further information please contact:

David Mitchell
Mayor, Town of Bridgewater
902-541-4364

Tammy Wilson
CAO, Town of Bridgewater
902-541-4363

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer, MODL

Phone: (902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality to Build New Municipal Services Building

Details

Published: Tuesday, 12 March 2019 11:17

March 12, 2019 / For Immediate Release

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA – After extensive study and public engagement that began in the spring of 2017, Council voted to build a new Municipal Services Building in the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg at their Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Council meeting.

The current building, located at 210 Aberdeen Road, does not meet National Building Code or Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act. Space, air quality and security issues are some of the primary deficiencies with the existing building. A report produced by Catalyst Consulting determined that it would be more expensive to renovate and expand the existing building to meet accessibility and code requirements than it would be to invest in a new building.

The building will be located on municipally-owned land at Osprey Village, and will cost $7.2 million to construct. The design of the building was developed to use as many locally-sourced materials and tradespeople as possible, and to achieve an energy use that is 30% less than National Building Code requirements. In addition to being fully accessible, the design of the building will enable the Municipality to offer improved service for the thousands of residents who utilize the building each year.

“Municipal services have changed substantially in the 48 years since this building was constructed,” says Mayor Carolyn-Bolivar Getson. “We believe that the construction of a modest building will be the most effective use of the money we have set aside for this project. Previous and current Councils have set funds aside for this project for many years, which means the Municipality will not incur debt or raise taxes to build a new Municipal Services building. The Municipality continues to be on track to be debt-free by 2021.”

-30-

Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
(902) 541-1328
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Media Advisory: New Administration Building Open House

Details

Published: Tuesday, 05 February 2019 11:29

February 5, 2019 / For Immediate Release

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is holding an Open House to allow interested residents to review the designs for the new Administration Building.

Tuesday, February 26
7-9pm
Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre
Multipurpose Room

Public feedback is open until Friday, March 1. Residents can submit their thoughts on the design by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by attending the open house at the LCLC on Tuesday, February 21 from 7 to 9pm. 

A consultation report summarizing the public feedback received will be provided to Council, along with a presentation from the Project Manager, in March 2019. At that time, Council will make a decision on whether or not to move forward with the new building.

-30-

Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
(902) 541-1328
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News release: Property Tax Exemption Raised for Low-Income Homeowners

Details

Published: Tuesday, 22 January 2019 14:05

January 22, 2019 / For Immediate Release

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is pleased to announce that at the January 22, 2019 Council meeting, Council approved a motion to increase the Property Tax Exemption for low-income homeowners.

Homeowners with household incomes under $29,999 (previously $24,999) are eligible to receive up to $500 relief from their property tax bill, based on their household income.

“The Property Tax Exemption is one of the ways the Municipality supports our residents who are facing financial hardship,” said Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “We hope to see more residents that qualify take advantage of this rebate by applying for the Property Tax Exemption.”

To apply for the Property Tax Exemption, visit the Administration Building at 210 Aberdeen Road, or go to Property Tax Exemption

-30-

Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
(902) 541-1328
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News release: Municipality Funds Two New Internet Projects

Details

Published: Friday, 14 December 2018 09:40

December 14, 2018 / For Immediate Release

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA – Two new Internet towers are coming to the Municipality that will provide fixed wireless internet services for Big Tancook Island, and for areas surrounding the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Facility.

“While we were developing the Municipality’s Internet Connectivity Strategy in the spring, a number of opportunities for improving internet connectivity in the short-term were identified,” said Dave Waters, Director of Business Development, Tourism and Infrastructure. In October of 2018, MODL issued a Request for Proposal to identify private sector partners interested in providing service in Whynotts Settlement, Big and Little Tancook and surrounding areas.

This project, undertaken with partner ISP TNC Wireless, will see the construction of a 40-metre tower at the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre and a 30-metre tower on Big Tancook. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019.

TNC offers uncapped packages with speeds ranging from 10Mbps to 25Mbps.

“Improving access to high speed internet is one of Council’s strategic priorities,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “In just two short years, MODL has undertaken a pilot project to provide a fixed wireless service in Sweetland and the surrounding area, and supported two successful applications to the Federal Connect to Innovate Fund, which are currently in development. I’m pleased that we’re continuing to fund more connections for our residents.”

-30-

Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
(902) 541-1328
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News release: Councils move to assume responsibility for management of Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre

Details

Published: Thursday, 04 October 2018 11:32

Councils move to assume responsibility for management of Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre, work toward model for integrated recreation services

October 4, 2018 – At a special joint meeting between the Town of Bridgewater (TOB) and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) on Wednesday night, the Councils voted to amend the Lunenburg County Multi-Purpose Centre Corporation (LCMPCC) Agreement.

The amendments will see the two municipal units work together towards an in-house integrated management model for the delivery of all services envisioned by the LCMPCC agreement. The management and administration of the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre (LCLC) will be carried out under the jurisdiction of a management board, which will consist of three elected representatives of TOB Council and three elected representatives of MODL Council.

In the coming weeks, CAOs Kevin Malloy (MODL) and Richard MacLellan (TOB) will develop a detailed implementation plan which will see the LCLC managed through an in-house model operated by MODL, and overseen by the new board.

“We believe that an in-house model will allow the LCLC and our recreation services to work jointly and more efficiently, which will ultimately be better for the taxpayer,” said Bridgewater’s Mayor, David Mitchell. “Integrating the recreation programming of the two municipal units and the LCLC will lead to better outcomes and better access to recreation overall for all the residents of Lunenburg County.”

“This model will give the Councils not only the accountability and responsibility, but also the authority to make decisions that are in the best interest of both municipalities. We appreciate the commitment and contributions that have been made to date from the public board members, and thank them for this service. We look forward to continuing to engage the community on their vision for the LCLC,” said the Municipality’s Mayor, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson.

-30-

For further information please contact:

David Mitchell
Mayor, Town of Bridgewater
902-541-4364

Richard MacLellan
CAO, Town of Bridgewater
902-541-4363

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer, MODL
Phone: (902) 541-1328

News release: Residents Asked to Participate in Internet Performance Test

Details

Published: Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:08

Taking the t­est at  https://performance.cira.ca/southshore  will help provide a basis for regional high-speed broadband planning

July 19, 2018 - Residents and business owners in three municipalities on the South Shore can now use an online test to reveal the performance of their Internet service – a measurement that will aid the region’s broadband development. The project is being cost shared by three municipal units.

The Internet Performance Test (IPT) was developed by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) as a way to collect highly detailed information about the quality of internet service. The IPT measures some 100 different Internet connection factors beyond the speed of the network, to give planners information on latency (how much delay is in a connection) and the ability of your computer to connect with the latest Internet Protocols. The IPT is being administered in Atlantic Canada by the non-profit group i-Valley, which also helped to develop the tool. The IPT will map the ‘digital divide’ for our rural communities, and help municipalities prioritize those areas with poorer service.

Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Mayor, Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, stated that “Access to high-speed internet is of critical importance to the Municipality, and a key priority for our Council. We have been proactive in developing a Municipal Internet Connectivity Strategy, and investing in projects bringing better Internet to our municipality. The Internet Performance Test will give us information that will help us continue to invest in Internet and create a community in which families choose to live.”

“The use of broadband communications is fundamental to improve our economic, environmental and social well-being,” said Allen Webber, Warden, Municipality of the District of Chester. “Broadband is cited as a number one factor in choosing a residence location. Businesses also need broadband in order to compete in the digital economy; if we have world-class standards, we give them a better chance to be world-class businesses.”

Mayor David Dagley of the Region of Queens Municipality added, “The time is right to pursue regional broadband network improvements. Provincial and federal funding will become available to enable Municipalities that are prepared, to support high speed network construction. Our Municipality will continue to source funding towards improving internet service in Queens, which has become an essential service. All residents are encouraged to take the speed test to help ensure that our current networking status is clarified, to enable proper funding applications to be prepared”.

A one-button test

The IPT is community-specific to the South Shore. People in their home or business just click on a URL and launch the test, which only takes 30 seconds. Within that time, the test analyzes more than 100 variables that range from speed to quality - all the factors that could be slowing a resident down or affecting the reliability of their service.

The IPT results are displayed for everyone on a map of the region, colour-coded to highlight service quality. A red zone is poor; a blue zone is good. The IPT ranges from zero to the new national speed goal of 50 Megabits per second (Mbps). 

The further the speed drops below 25 Mbps the redder the map gets; the faster the speed the bluer it gets.

Those without any Internet connection can go to a connected facility, browse to the South Shore IPT Web site, and click on “If you wish to inform us of a location without internet access, click here”.  They will then have the opportunity to place a pin on the map. They can also contact their Municipality’s Economic Development Officer to provide their address by phone.

The tests are location-specific, registering each house or business as the buttons are pressed. People are encouraged to take the test as many times as possible, as speed results may vary over times of day.

In addition to creating a baseline for network planning, the IPT helps communities obtain evidence-based performance data for their community that will provide support for funding applications to governments to ensure sufficient broadband access.

Please click on this link to use the South Shore Internet Performance Test:

https://performance.cira.ca/southshore  

The test will be run continuously over the coming months. Residents of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, Municipality of the District of Chester and Region of Queens Municipality will receive reminder notifications to take the test through several methods, including postcards at key locations in the community, flyers, social media posts, website posts, and through newspaper and radio. All residents, regardless of whether they have good internet service, poor internet service or no internet service are encouraged to take part in the test. The higher the rate of participation by residents, the more accurate the final data will be, which will provide a map that shows accurately the areas with substandard internet service.

-30-

For further information please contact:

Sarah Kucharski, Communications Officer, MODL
Phone: (902) 541-1328

Erin Lowe, Economic Development Officer, Municipality of Chester
Phone: (902) 275-2599

Heather Cook, Communications and Engagement Coordinator, Region of Queens Municipality
Phone: (902) 354-5741

News release: Bait Stations Being Installed in Municipality

Details

Published: Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:06

July 19, 2018 / For Immediate Release

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA – This week, Dr. Robbin Lindsay, Research Scientist with the Public Health Agency of Canada, is in the Municipality installing the first of 18-20 deer bait stations. The bait stations are part of an innovative tick reduction research project, the largest of its kind in Canada.

“The increasing prevalence of Lyme Disease in our community is a serious concern,” said Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “Our Council believes it’s vitally important for the Municipality to get involved in trying to reduce tick populations, and in educating residents and visitors on the importance of tick checks. We’ve partnered with the Public Health Agency of Canada on the three-year bait station research project, and with Nova Scotia Public Health on an educational campaign.”

“The bait stations will be stocked by September 1, and will target adult tick populations when they become active again in the fall,” explained Dr. Lindsay. “A common myth is that there are no ticks out in the summer, but that’s actually when there is the highest risk for contracting Lyme Disease. The nymphs are most active in the summer, and they’re more difficult to see because of their small size. It’s important to do a daily tick check after coming inside, and every night before bed. It’s one of the most effective ways of preventing Lyme Disease.”

• The bait station program will see bait stations set up in a controlled area of the county, designed to attract and treat deer to reduce or eliminate the population of black legged ticks. The bait station rollers will apply Permethrin to the deer’s ears as they feed from the station, killing the adult ticks. If you’re walking in the woods and come across a bait station, please exercise caution and do not touch the bait station.
• A public education campaign will continue throughout the summer and fall, designed to encourage residents and visitors to conduct daily tick checks.
• Additional signage in parks, outdoor facilities and on trails has been installed to advise users of the presence of ticks in the area.

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is committed to building a community where people choose to live, work and play.  

-30-

Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
(902) 541-1328
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News release: Southside Road Approved for Paving

Details

Published: Thursday, 28 June 2018 09:11

June 28, 2018 / For Immediate Release

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is pleased to announce a J Class road submitted to the cost sharing paving program with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal has been approved. Southside Road, beginning at Stonehurst Road and continuing for 2.37 kilometres, will be paved for a total cost of $275,000, with a Municipal share of $137,500.

“The Municipality recognizes the importance of roads to our residents for safety, to maintain property value and for tourism. Well maintained, good quality roads are essential for our communities,” said Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “I am happy to see this first cost sharing project with TIR, and look forward to moving forward with additional projects in the future to improve our roads.”

In the fall of 2017, the Municipality changed the Road Improvement Policy. The previous road improvement policies required a petition from residents confirming that the residents were willing to pay for 50% of the cost of the improvement on a J Class or Municipal Road. These policies did not permit Council to directly invest in paving of a J Class or Municipal Road unless there was a successful petition.

The new policy permits Council to invest directly in paving, without a commitment from residents to pay half. The policy establishes criteria so that Council has an evidence-based approach for selecting road priorities. The new policy retains the petition process in case there are residents who do not wish to wait for their road to come up through the prioritization process. (e.g. White Avenue is being paved this year as a result of a petition). Each year, Council reviews the road priorities and submits a list to the province for consideration for cost sharing. In 2017, several roads in Turner Heights were paved under the J Class cost sharing program.

-30-

Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
(902) 541-1328
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News release: Municipality adopts Municipal Internet Connectivity Strategy

Details

Published: Tuesday, 26 June 2018 13:35

June 26, 2018 / For Immediate Release 

BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg adopted a Municipal Internet Connectivity Strategy on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

“Providing reliable high-speed Internet access is critical to the growth and success of the region,” said Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “Providing this access will take time, funding and partnerships with other levels of government, private business, non-profit organizations and the community to develop solutions that will work for our communities. I believe the Municipal Internet Connectivity Strategy provides the direction and framework for moving us forward.”

“In our Five-Year Financial Strategy, we have allocated $500,000 a year in capital and operating funds to Internet projects each year. We expect these funds to be used to leverage much larger investments by our Provincial, Federal and ISP partners, much like recently announcement Internet projects in our community,” said Bolivar-Getson.

The Municipality continues to research and seek out opportunities to further enhance the Internet service to residents and communities. We welcome others to help us identify potential projects as well. Projects could be brought forth by other levels of government, the private industry, individuals or non-profit community groups.

The strategy takes into consideration the provincial government’s Internet strategies and the I-Valley report financially supported by the Municipality, and builds on the knowledge and partnerships the Municipality has developed in pursuing the short and long-term funding opportunities. It is based on Council and Committee discussions, public engagement, research with various partners, Provincial and Federal funding opportunities and reports, and practical experience gained with the Sweetland pilot project.

The complete strategy is available at: High Speed Internet

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is committed to building a community where people choose to live, work and play.  

-30-

Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
(902) 541-1328
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.