Welcome to Council Highlights, a concise digest of newsworthy decisions and issues from Town of Lunenburg Council meetings. For a more detailed account of Council meetings check Council agendas and minutes on the Council Meetings page.
March 14, 2024
Watch a recording of the meeting on YouTube or read the full agenda package.
Cornwallis Street renaming update
In late January the Town launched a public survey asking residents to submit their suggestions for a new name for Cornwallis Street. The survey closed on Feb.13, receiving more than 300 submissions.
Staff are still in the process of sorting the suggestions. A report on the survey results will be presented to Council in the near future.
At the end of 2022, as per a recommendation from the Town’s Anti-Racism Special Committee, Council voted in favour of renaming Cornwallis Street. For more information on the renaming, please see the press release from Jan. 24, 2023.
Council moves forward with amendments to the Land Use By-law (LUB) and Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS)
Deleting vending regulations from the LUB
Council is scheduled to approve a new Vending By-law, likely in April. Once approved, this bylaw will regulate all vending activities within the Town.
Currently, there are some vending provisions in the Town’s Land Use By-law (LUB). With the adoption of a new Vending By-law, having any regulations for vending in the LUB is not necessary.
Deleting Architectural Control Areas (ACAs) from the MPS and LUB
Staff are working on a new Heritage Conservation District (HCD) plan and by-law to regulate architectural provisions for the Town. This new plan and by-law are expected to be presented to Council in the near future.
Currently ACA provisions are within the MPS and LUB. With the adoption of a new HCD plan and by-law, having architectural provisions in the MPS and LUB is not necessary.
Except for the proposed removal of the Tannery Road ACA, both proposed amendments are not deleting regulations, but rather moving them to separate documents.
The process
The Province has a specific process for amending Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-laws. That process includes:
- holding a public participation meeting;
- that Council do two separate readings of the amendment(s) with 14 days in between each reading; and
- holding a public hearing prior to the second reading of the amendment(s)
The Town’s Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) held a public participation meeting for the proposed amendments on Feb. 27, 2023. At that meeting, there were no submissions for or against the proposed amendments.
At its March 14 meeting, Council approved first reading of both proposed amendments.
A public hearing for these proposed amendments will be held at the same meeting that Council is scheduled to vote on second reading, which will likely be in April for the Vending By-law and later for the HCD plan and by-law.
Jamie Ernst named Provincial Volunteer of the Year
Council named Jamie Ernst as its Volunteer Representative Award of the year.
Each year, the Province puts a call out to all municipalities and First Nations communities in Nova Scotia to select a volunteer to receive the provincial award. This award recognizes volunteer services by individuals, teams, or groups who have enhanced the image of or have made significant contributions to the Town of Lunenburg.
Jamie has been a volunteer with the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore for almost 20 years, where he also serves as the Chair of the Foundation’s annual Gift from the Heart Radiothon fundraiser.
Jamie will be invited to represent the community at a provincial ceremony in Halifax later this year.
The Town of Lunenburg is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers, supporting and organizing arts, culture, recreation, wellness and so much more throughout our community.
Feb. 28, 2023
Watch a recording of the meeting on YouTube or read the full agenda package.
Outdated policies get repealed
Council repealed 15 outdated Town policies. A full list of which policies were repealed can be found in the report in the Feb. 28 agenda package.
Staff will continue to review Town policies and bylaws to ensure they are relevant and adhere to current Town practices.
Council receives quarterly police report.
RCMP Corporal Traci Johnston and Sergeant Kelly Plamondon presented a quarterly police report. The report highlights statistics on various calls for services, staffing updates and community programs.
The full report can be found in the Feb. 28 agenda package.
Council considers new Vending By-law
Council approved first reading of a new Vending By-law. The intent of this bylaw is to set out a process to regulate vending within the Town of Lunenburg.
If approved, the by-law will allow for more food truck (mobile canteens) and other vending opportunities throughout town on public and private lands, and on seven locations on Town streets.
Currently, mobile vendors are only allowed in the Commercial Mixed-Use Zone, which is mostly along Victoria Road.
The proposed by-law states that walking tours and door-to-door vendors are not restricted to any area — once they have a Vending Permit, they are permitted to travel all throughout Town.
The second (the final) reading of the by-law will be scheduled for a future Council meeting, likely in April. Questions or comments about the proposed by-law can be sent to the Municipal Clerk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
As per the Municipal Government Act (MGA), all by-laws require two readings from Council with 14 days in between each reading. A by-law is not approved until it has been read twice.
Curling Club receives funds from LAFF
Through the Lunenburg Athletic Facility Fund (LAFF), Council released $14,343.65 to the Lunenburg Curling Club for the following projects:
- Energy efficient lighting replacements
- The installation of two donated heat pumps
- The purchase of reusable vinyl curling sheets to replace the current ice painting system
The Town does not contribute any money to the LAFF. The LAFF is like a bank account for organizations — organizations and donors make donations to the Town with a direction that the donation(s) be added to the LAFF for specific projects at specific facilities.
Through this process, organizations can receive a charitable donation receipt.
The Town of Lunenburg has LAFF accounts for the Lunenburg Curling Club, the Lunenburg Tennis Club and the Lunenburg and District Swimming Pool (the outdoor pool).
Council grants rent relief for LAMP
The Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance (LAMP) is one of the tenants of the Lunenburg Academy, which is owned by the Town. In a letter to Council and staff, LAMP requested some assistance with its rent payments, noting the pandemic has been a particularly challenging time.
Council agreed to waive $2,943.91 in interest payment owed by LAMP for its outstanding rent payments and agreed to collect the remaining balance of $15,737.81 over the next 12 months.
This rent relief request was discussed in camera, which is a closed session of Council. The Municipal Government Act (MGA), the provincial act that regulates municipal matters, allows for Council to discuss certain items in closed session. Closed session (or in camera) means that the public cannot observe these meetings.
Items permitted to be discussed in closed session (in camera) are:
- personnel matters;
- labour relations and contract negotiations;
- plans to buy, sell or lease property;
- legal advice; and
- security issues.
Following an in camera discussion, if Council has any decisions to make, they will do so in public session. At Town of Lunenburg Council meetings, this reporting of in camera discussions and any decision making happens near the end of the meeting under the agenda item called “Resumption of Council meeting in Public Session”.
Feb. 14, 2023
Watch a recording of the meeting on YouTube or read the full agenda package.
Town moves ahead with design work for solar panels at the Water Treatment Plant
Council approved an additional $17,500 for the engineering design work for solar panels at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP), bringing the total approved budget to $38,000. The additional $17,500 will come from the Water Utility’s depreciation reserve.
The scope of the engineering design for this project includes electrical, structural and geotechnical parts for the ground and roof mounted solar array system.
In 2022, the Town hired a consultant to complete a solar feasibility for the WTP and the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). Council approved the solar panel project in 2022, following a recommendation from that feasibility study.
Staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the engineering design work. Seven companies submitted proposals, with the cost of the proposed work ranging from $24,529 — $61,295 (excluding HST).
The increase to this budget will allow staff to move forward with securing a company to complete the solar panel design work.
Council approves truck replacement
Council approved $31,332 for the purchase of a water utility vehicle.
This purchase is needed to replace a half-ton truck used by the Water Utility that was involved in a collision in January. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, but there was significant damage to the Water Utility’s truck. The Town’s insurance company assessed the truck and determined that it couldn’t be fixed.
The truck was scheduled to be replaced in the 2024/2025 budget due to the age and the number of kilometres on the vehicle.
New Heritage Officer for TOL
Hilary Grant, the Town’s Senior Planner, was appointed as a Heritage Officer for the Town.
Heritage Officers are responsible for the administration of the Town’s Heritage Conservation Plan and Heritage Property By-law. The Heritage Officer also issues Certificate of Appropriateness to make sure developments in Lunenburg align with the Town’s heritage values.
Staff start policy and bylaw review
Council gave notice that it will repeal 15 Town policies at its next regular meeting on Feb. 28. These policies have been identified as outdated or no longer relevant. A full list of the policies to be repealed can be found in the Feb. 14 agenda package.
The Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires that at least seven days’ notice be given before Council makes any changes to a policy.
Staff will continue to work on identifying more policies and bylaws that may be deleted or changed.
TOL starts the process of selling Upper Hall Street lot
The Town-owned 18.95 acre lot at the top of Hall Street has been listed for sale. Council directed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to complete all necessary actions required to complete the sale of Upper Hall Street, including negotiating the sale price.
For more information about the sale of the Upper Hall Street lot, see this fact sheet.
Jan. 24, 2023
Read the full agenda package here. Typically a recording of each Council meeting is available on the TOL YouTube channel, however, due to technical challenges there is no recording of the Jan. 24, 2023 meeting.
Council approves new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Bylaw
The CAO is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Town.
The bylaw establishes the position and confirms the administrative powers of the CAO. Some of those powers include entering contracts on behalf of the Town, establishing municipal departments, and determining the salaries of Town staff.
This bylaw replaces the Town’s former Manager/Clerk Bylaw.
The bylaw will come into effect on Feb. 1, 2023 after its approval has been advertised in the LighthouseNow – this step is required by the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
Read the full bylaw.
Council approves new Policy Development and Review Policy
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the roles and responsibilities of Council and Town staff for policy development, implementation, and review of policy effectiveness.
A policy is the commitment and direction of Council on items like governance, public service and municipal programs based on Council’s values, priorities and strategic direction.
All policies are approved by Council. Administrative Procedures, the operational requirements that allow staff to carry out Council’s policies, are approved by the CAO.
Council appoints new Lunenburg County Accessibility Advisory Committee (LCAAC) member
Jeane Fay was appointed to the LCAAC for a three-year term.
The LCAAC works with the Towns of Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, and Bridgewater and the Districts of Chester and Lunenburg to identify, prevent and eliminate barriers to people with disabilities in municipal programs, services, initiatives and facilities.
Council supports Economic Impact Study
Council approved including $50,000 in the 2023/24 Draft Operating Budget for an economic impact study/analysis.
The purpose of the study is to provide critical information on the economic contribution of ongoing activities within the Town and the local business sector. The study will also provide a better understanding of visitation numbers and tourism within the Town.
Spending any money on an economic impact study/analysis cannot happen until the full 2023/24 Operating Budget is approved. The draft budget will be presented for Council’s consideration in the coming months.
Council also directed staff to secure $50,000 in matching funding from non-town sources before moving ahead with the study. The study is expected to cost $75,000. Staff are applying for grants to help fund the remaining $25,000 for this project.