Town News

NOTICE OF POWER OUTAGE

Details

Published: Friday, 23 May 2025 08:43

There is a power outage in New Town around Victoria Road up to Mason's Beach Road. As of now, we are waiting for additional information, but we are aware the power is out and Nova Scotia Power has been notified.

If you are outside the affected area and experiencing an outage please call: (902) 634-4410, ext. 3.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Payment options during Canada Post strike

Details

Published: Thursday, 22 May 2025 10:51

With the possibility of a postal strike as soon as this Friday, sending in payments by mail for electric/water/sewer/tax accounts and other services could see your payment delayed. As such, we would like to take a moment to address payment options. Here are a few other easy payment options:

• If you would like a copy of your billing, this can be provided at the Town Hall Finance Department.
  
  
• Payments can be made at Town Hall, 119 Cumberland Street, Monday to Friday (8:30 am to 4:30 pm). We accept cash, cheques and debit.

• There is a payment slot by the main door of the Town Hall at the 119 Cumberland Street Entrance.
  
  
• You can pay at the local branch of your bank.
  
  
• Online Banking: Through most financial institutions (Contact your financial institution for instructions on how to do online banking services)

• You can sign up for Town of Lunenburg e-services to receive your billings online.
  
  
• There is also an option for preauthorized debit payments.

For further information on these services please contact Wendy Mills, Finance Clerk, 902-634-4410 ext 221.

Thank you.

Important Message About Upcoming Tree Maintenance

Details

Published: Friday, 16 May 2025 12:13

During the next few months, Nova Scotia Power’s vegetation management contractor, LUCAS TREE EXPERTS, will be trimming trees near power lines and in some cases removing hazard trees on Kissing Bridge Road, Maple Avenue, Montgomery Street, Green Street and Victoria Road. This work is necessary to reduce the risk of outages caused by trees and to ensure that we can continue to provide safe and reliable power.

The work will include removing the trees and branches that pose a danger or threat to the electrical system. All branches and small limbs will be chipped and blown back on to the right-of-way or transported offsite and will be done at no cost to the homeowner/resident.

The contractor will make every attempt to call and discuss the work in advance. If after consulting with our contractor, you still have concerns, please feel free to contact Town Hall at (902) 634-4410.

Please help us protect our workers by being extra careful when driving in these work zones, as crews and traffic control personnel will be on the roads in these areas over the next few weeks.

The affected areas are highlighted in orange on the map.

Public Participation Meeting Notice

Details

Published: Wednesday, 14 May 2025 11:33

Town of Lunenburg – Planning Advisory Committee

The Town of Lunenburg’s Planning Advisory Committee will hold a Public Participation Meeting to gather feedback regarding a proposed zoning change for the property located at 280 Montague Street.

Meeting Details:

• Date: Monday, June 2, 2025

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: Council Chambers, Town Hall
  (120 Townsend Street – back entrance)

Purpose of the Meeting:
The purpose of this meeting is to provide information and receive public input on a proposal to rezone the subject property from Marine Industrial (MI) to Medium Density Residential (R-2). While the property is currently zoned for marine-related industrial uses, it has been used as a residence. The proposed rezoning would formalize this residential use and align zoning with the character of surrounding properties.

Please note:
No decisions will be made at this meeting. This is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to learn more about the proposed amendment and to provide feedback to the Planning Advisory Committee.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Electric Utility Rate Application

Details

Published: Monday, 12 May 2025 08:06

As approved by Council on March 25, 2025, the Town of Lunenburg has submitted a rate application to the Nova Scotia Energy Board (formerly the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board) on behalf of the Lunenburg Electric Utility.

A public hearing for this application has been scheduled by the Board for July 22, 2025. As part of the application, the Town has requested that the rate increase for General Service customer classes be phased in, with a 15% increase pending approval, and the remaining 6% deferred.

See the official Nova Scotia Energy Board Public Hearing Notice (PDF) here:  pdf Notice of Public Hearing(98 KB)

Here are the hearing details and how you can take part:

• Hearing starts: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
  (Continuing Wednesday, July 23, 2025, if necessary)
  
  
• Evening Session: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM
  
  
• Hearing Location: Town of Lunenburg Council Chambers, 120 Townsend Street (Town Hall Back Entrance), Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

How to Participate in the Public Hearing

• Speak at the Hearing
  If you would like to speak during the hearing, you must let the Board know by Monday, June 23, 2025.
  
  
• Submit Written Comments
  You can share your views in writing by sending a letter to the Clerk of the Board:
  • Mail: P.O. Box 1692, Unit “M”, Halifax, NS B3J 3S3
  • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Fax: (902) 424-3919
    
    All written submissions must be received by Monday, June 23, 2025.

• Request Intervenor Status
  If you wish to take a more active role—such as presenting evidence or asking questions—you can apply for formal standing as an Intervenor. This request must be submitted by Monday, April 28, 2025, and is subject to Board approval.

What Does This Mean for Customers? 

Domestic (Household) Customers: Based on an average monthly usage of 837 kWh, households can expect their bills to increase by approximately $17.80 per month, from $152.17 to $169.97. 
 
Even with the increase, Lunenburg’s proposed rates are still 2.7% lower than Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) rates for the same usage. 

General Service (Business) Customers: The proposed 21% increase will be phased in to reduce financial pressure: 

• 15% applied immediately upon Nova Scotia Energy Board approval. 

• The remaining 6% will be recovered over a period determined by the Nova Scotia Energy Board.  

These increases must be approved by the Nova Scotia Energy Board before they can take effect. If approved, the new rates are expected to take effect in the fall of 2025. 

The Nova Scotia Energy Board is an independent, quasi-judicial body responsible for regulating utilities and ensuring that rates are fair, reasonable, and in the public interest. In this case, the Nova Scotia Energy Board will review the Town’s proposed rate increases to determine if they are justified and reasonable. 

Why is This Increase Necessary?  

This is the first General Rate increase proposed since 2013. The Town has managed to avoid a general increase as new capital expenditures have been low and relying on smaller adjustments related to power cost flow-throughs. However, rising costs and urgent infrastructure needs have made a rate increase unavoidable. 

The proposed increase will help cover operational costs and fund essential capital investments aimed at improving grid reliability, expanding capacity, and modernizing the system to support future growth and meet climate resilience standards. 

2025/26 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets 

Details

Published: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 12:15

At the April 29, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council held its first review of the proposed 2025/26 budgets for the Town, Water Utility, and Electric Utility.

The full recording of this meeting is now available: https://youtu.be/p0Xvldg9eis  
The presentation slides from the meeting are also available:  pdf Draft 25 26 Budget Presentation(6.66 MB)

Some of the proposed budget highlights include: 

• No change to property tax rates
• $11.32M Town operating budget 
• $4.69M Town capital budget, including roadwork, building repairs, and fire equipment
• $2.2M Water capital budget, including the Dares Lake spillway upgrade
• $3.24M Electric capital budget, with key infrastructure upgrades already underway

Council is scheduled to approve the budgets on May 27, but this may be delayed if more time or information is needed.

Council will continue to review the budgets at its May 13 and May 27 meetings. Public input is welcome at both meetings (both at 6 p.m. at Town Hall). 

Can’t attend in person? You can submit written feedback by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

A more detailed budget summary is available here:  pdf 2025/26 Proposed Budget Summary (April 30)(361 KB)