News & Events

News release: MODL Launches Interactive Property Zoning Map

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Published: Tuesday, 11 January 2022 09:04

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) has launched an interactive property zoning map to help current and future property owners better understand current zoning regulations.

While the majority of MODL is currently unzoned, MODL does have eight planning areas: Hemford Forest, Princes Inlet, Oakland, Blockhouse, Riverport & District, Hebbville, Osprey Village and Lunenburg Municipal Industrial Area.

Using the new interactive map, users can search by address or by unique property identifiers such as Parcel Identification Number (PID) or Assessment Account Number (AAN). Once they have selected the property, a pop-up window will show the zoning name and label, as well as a direct link to the section of the Land Use Bylaw that is applicable to the zone.

“This user-friendly tool provides zoning and planning-related information for landowners, property buyers, realtors and others seeking property information with just a few clicks,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “We are always seeking to make information more accessible to the public, and believe this step is an important one, especially as we move towards municipal-wide planning as part of our MODL2040 project.”

To access the online map, visit modl.ca/zoningmap

To learn more about MODL2040, visit engage.modl.ca/modl2040

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: MODL Seeking Input on Climate Change Action Plan

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Published: Wednesday, 15 December 2021 12:56

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg needs help from residents to build our Local Climate Change Action Plan. This 10-year plan is being built around a central vision that MODL will be a low carbon community, with the long-term goal of becoming sustainable, climate-resilient, and net-zero community. The plan will outline a set of strategies, actions, and targets to guide the municipality and the community, to work together to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as increase our resilience to climate change.

A survey is available at https://engage.modl.ca/local-climate-change-action-plan.

“The survey will help us understand public awareness about the climate change impacts on MODL, identify public support for the proposed draft actions, and solicit new ideas for actions to reduce the community emissions and build a sustainable and climate-resilient community,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “It’s also an opportunity for environmentally-minded residents to put their name forward to be part of a number of projects within the Action Plan.”

MODL is also holding Community Climate Conversations throughout MODL between now and February 28, 2022. To learn more about the Local Climate Change Action Plan, find a Community Climate Conversation event details, or to complete the survey, please visit: https://engage.modl.ca/local-climate-change-action-plan

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: MODL Wins GFOA Distinguished Budget Award

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Published: Wednesday, 17 November 2021 08:58

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg’s 2021/2022 Budget document has received the Distinguished
Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of Canada and the United States (GFOA).

The award represents a significant achievement by the Municipality and is the first time that the Municipality has won the GFOA award. In order to receive the budget award, MODL satisfied nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The 2021/2022 budget document was rated proficient in four categories: as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

“I am very proud of our team for creating a budget document that reflects the commitment of Council and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson.

The Municipality’s Budget is available at modl.ca/Budget.

The GFOA is a non-profit professional association serving 17,400 government finance
professionals throughout North America.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: MODL Launches Community Hub Survey

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Published: Wednesday, 27 October 2021 13:27

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is exploring the feasibility of developing a Community Hub building in the Osprey Village development. A Community Hub is a building that provides shared indoor and outdoor spaces and amenities that can be used by community organizations, groups, and members. Some of the types of spaces that are being considered include: recreational spaces, meeting and event spaces, farmers market, retail space, a community garden and kitchen, café, and more.

This study will engage with community members to identify what spaces would be the most beneficial, will support the nearby development, and create a place for community enjoyment and gathering.

“We are asking residents to participate in a short survey that will gather information that will help us focus our attention on what the community needs and wants,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “We need to know things like what types of amenities the community wants, their expectations around fees, and any other thoughts they might have about the proposed facility.”

Residents that complete the survey before November 12 will be entered to win a $200 gift card to Best Western Plus Bridgewater.

The survey is available at https://engage.modl.ca/community-hub

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: MODL Celebrates Becoming Debt-Free

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Published: Tuesday, 26 October 2021 10:04

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg has become one of just two municipalities in Nova Scotia to become debt-free.

This week, the Municipality made the final debt payment on an infrastructure loan that had spurred development in Osprey Village, including water and wastewater services. The decision to invest in infrastructure was a valuable one, contributing to significant growth in the area, which now has over $31 million in commercial assessment and provides employment and services to the region.

“This achievement is more than a decade’s worth of sound financial management by councils who truly understood the importance of wisely managing taxpayers’ dollars,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “The Municipality has a track record of strong financial management, while continuing to meet the needs of residents. We are committed to using taxpayer dollars effectively and responsibly. We have maintained the tax rate despite cost pressures and have not increased the residential tax rate in 12 years, while the commercial rate has remained constant for nine years.”

“Being debt-free means that the Municipality is no longer paying for past infrastructure investments–these funds can now be re-invested in maintaining existing infrastructure like roads, parks, and wastewater treatment systems, or in developing new infrastructure to serve residents,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “Council is committed to wise and strategic investment to provide excellent service and support economic growth.”

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Invites Residents to Participate in Your Government, Your Ideas Engagement Campaign

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Published: Tuesday, 05 October 2021 09:10

October 5, 2021 / For Immediate Release

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is inviting residents to participate in their annual Your Government, Your Ideas engagement campaign this October, and tell us what’s important to them.

Each year, Council selects a short list of projects to focus on, based on information received from residents, community groups, provincial and federal government, and staff. After much discussion, Council approves the Municipality’s strategic priorities for the next 18 months, then work with staff to pass a budget in the spring based on these priorities.

Community members are invited to visit engage.modl.ca/YGYI2021 to learn about each of MODL’s current strategic priorities and add their comments or questions.

Two in-person events are scheduled for Thursday, October 14, at 3pm and 7pm, at the Municipal Services Building in Cookville. Each event will include a presentation from the Mayor, a Q&A session, and an opportunity for attendees to speak with staff experts on projects like MODL2040 and our Climate Change Action Plan. Please note: attendees must show proof of vaccination or valid medical exemption to attend the in-person events. The 3pm presentation will be streamed on Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.

“Your Government, Your Ideas is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the Municipality’s accomplishments and plans for the upcoming year, as well to ask questions and provide us with their thoughts on various issues,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “I encourage residents to spend a few minutes to give us their thoughts online or join us at one of the meetings.”

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Media contact:

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

News release: Municipality to Recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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Published: Friday, 17 September 2021 09:48

September 17, 2021 / For Immediate Release

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday on September 30, following unanimous approval of Council at its meeting September 14. The Municipal Services Building will be closed to the public on Thursday, September 30, and the flags will be lowered out of respect.

Also known as Orange Shirt Day, this is a day to honour Indian Residential School Survivors, their families, and those who didn’t make it home. As part of the work of reconciliation, specifically Call to Action #57 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Municipality recently released a Request for Proposal for an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) consultant to complete a comprehensive assessment and review of our equity, diversity, and inclusion policies and procedures.

“Our goal in engaging an EDI consultant is to support MODL in ensuring that EDI is integrated across the organization within our policies, procedures, practices, culture, and norms,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “While it is vital to embrace the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our reconciliation work must be ongoing, and incorporated in everything we do.”

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Now Offering Electric Vehicle Charging Station

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Published: Friday, 17 September 2021 09:43

September 17, 2021 / For Immediate Release

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – As part of Council’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the municipality by 40% by 2030, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is now offering a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station at the Municipal Services building in Cookville.

In Nova Scotia, every kilometre of driving a zero-emission vehicle may reduce up to 1.5 kg of CO2. Since gasoline and diesel contribute 29% of the total GHG emissions in the municipality, encouraging zero-emission vehicle use is an important commitment to help limit global warming.

Up to two vehicles are able to charge at the same time at the Municipal Services building charger, at a cost of $1.05 per hour, per vehicle.

“Switching from a gas-powered vehicle to a zero-emission vehicle is one of the most effective ways of reducing carbon emission,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “Making electric vehicle charging stations available and affordable is one way we can encourage citizens to purchase zero-emission vehicles.”

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Breaks Ground on Stonemont Retirement Lifestyle Community

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Published: Wednesday, 08 September 2021 08:34

September 8, 2021 / For Immediate Release

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg held a ground-breaking event on Tuesday, September 7 to celebrate the construction of a Stonemont Retirement Lifestyle Community in Cookville.

The community includes a retirement residence featuring 150 all-inclusive and supportive apartments, as well as a 90-suite seniors apartment complex. Community amenities include a spacious dining room, bar/bistro lounge area, community rooms and theatre, golf and multimedia simulator, pool and fitness centre, beauty salon and spa, and more.

The community is expected to open in the fall of 2023, and will create more than 40 full and part time employment opportunities.

“We are so pleased to see this project moving forward,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “This new retirement home is a wonderful addition to the Osprey Village area and will provide seniors with new housing choices in a very desirable area.”

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Awards Third Round of Emergency Assistance Funding

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Published: Wednesday, 04 August 2021 09:08

August 4, 2021 / For Immediate Release

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg has awarded a third round of funding support for not-for-profit organizations that operate community facilities and fire departments impacted by COVID-19 cancellations.

In the first two rounds of funding, community organizations that operate community facilities received a total of $164,823 in funding. Additionally, $32,500 in emergency assistance funding was given to MODL fire departments.

In this round of funding, the total amount awarded was $125,083.

“Since introducing this program, the Municipality has donated a total of $322,406 to our community organizations that operate community facilities,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “As we see the light at the end of the tunnel of Covid, we hope this emergency funding will help these organizations as we move towards hosting events and fundraisers again.”

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Media contact:

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