June 24, 2026
Council gives second reading to rezoning applications in Springhill, Southampton
Cumberland municipal council has approved second reading of a land-use by-law amendment to permit the rezoning of 20 McFarlane St. in Springhill from Lower Density Residential to Multi-unit Residential.
This will permit the development of two three-unit buildings that will include six dwelling units.
Each unit is intended to be a one-bedroom unit and will include a shed and a small deck on the front and back end of the units. The proponent is proposing designated parking stalls for each unit.
While the units are not exclusively designated for seniors, the units are designed especially for senior living.
Council also approved second reading of a land-use by-law amendment to rezone a property in Southampton to Country Commercial and add abattoir as a permitted use.
The property is currently zoned Country Residential.
The proponent is looking to reopen a previously existing abattoir in Southampton, to serve a community need for local abattoirs and works to help address food security issues. The proponent intends to sell the processed meat to locals as well as to sell the meats on a commercial/wholesale basis.
Proposed multi-unit residential development in Parrsboro passes first reading
Council has approved first reading of an amendment to the Land-Use By-Law to rezone a portion of a properties on Dominion Street, Parrsboro, from Downtown Commercial to Mixed-use and approved first reading of the Casey Realty Development Agreement.
The properties are located at the corner of Dominion and James streets.
The proponent is proposing to develop two multi-unit residential buildings that would create 21 dwelling units.
The properties are currently zoned Mixed-use and Commercial Downtown.
To further enable the development of the proposed multi-unit buildings, a development agreement is being proposed for the two properties.
A public hearing will be held prior to second reading.
Council approves Sale/Disposal of Surplus Personal Property Policy
Council has approved a policy on the sale and/or disposal of surplus personal property.
The Municipal Government Act grants the CAO authority to sell personal property belonging to the municipality that, in the opinion of the chief administrative officer, is obsolete, unsuitable for use, surplus to requirements of, or no longer needed by, the municipality, and may delegate this authority to employees of the municipality.
The municipality currently has policies respecting the sale of surplus real property but does not have a policy respecting the sale of surplus personal property.
Personal property is any movable property such as vehicles, furniture or livestock. When personal property becomes surplus to the needs of the municipality the sale of these assets should be conducted in a transparent and fair manner.
The proposed policy states that personal property be sold by tender or public auction.
Regional Emergency Management Organization By-law approved by council
Cumberland municipal council has approved first reading of a Regional Emergency Management By-law.
The Emergency Management Act requires a municipality to establish and maintain a municipal emergency by-law. Earlier this year the Department of Emergency Management developed a recommended by-law for municipalities to adopt.
The by-law provides the framework for the creation of the Regional Emergency Management Organization, the Regional Emergency Management Advisory Committee and the Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee as well as the Regional Emergency Management Coordinator position.
It also sets out the duties and relationship between the various components of the Regional Emergency Management Organization, how a state of local emergency is declared and the powers and responsibilities of the mayor, council and employees of the municipality during an emergency.
Similar by-law must be approved by the towns of Amherst and Oxford.
Council approves purchase of pumper truck for Advocate Volunteer Fire Department
Council has approved the purchase of a new pumper truck for the Advocate Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of $739,200 plus HST from Metalfab Fire Trucks.
Funding for the purchase was approved by council as part of the 2026-27 capital budget process.
Estimated delivery time is 60 weeks.
Council approves water and operating capital budgets
Municipal council has approved the water operating and capital budgets for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
The general capital and operating budgets for the municipality were approved on March 30, 2026.
The operating revenue and expenses as well as the proposed capital projects are presented in the water budget report.
Council approves budget increase for Parrsboro intersection upgrade
Council has approved increasing the budget for the Parrsboro Main Street and Eastern Avenue intersection update to $356,127 (including non-recoverable HST) to be funded from the General Capital Reserve.
The Main Street and Eastern Avenue Intersection Upgrade project was approved as part of the 2026-27 capital budget.
The goal of the project is to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility at one of the primary intersections in the community of Parrsboro. The project originated from recommendations contained within the 2023 WSP review of traffic and pedestrian circulation in Parrsboro.
The preliminary budget estimate was prepared before detailed engineering design was completed. As the design advanced, engineering review identified that the original intersection geometry would not safely accommodate the turning movements of commercial vehicles and transport trucks.
Without increasing the intersection footprint, large vehicles would be required to off-track into opposing traffic lanes when completing turning movements.
The design also incorporates appropriately sized sidewalks and pedestrian facilities to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians. Traffic calming measures have been included to encourage safer vehicle speeds through the intersection.