During Monday night’s regular meeting of Amherst Town Council, a motion was passed approving a new Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) Strategic Plan. This new plan combines Amherst’s previous Accessibility Strategic Plan and the previous Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan into one new document, and is the result of diligent research and stakeholder input.
The former two separate plans were required to be updated, approved by Council, and forwarded to the Province by April 1, 2025, which led to the decision to produce the new combined AIDE plan.
Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee (AIDE) Terms of Reference
Through the process of combining the Accessibility Strategic Plan and the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan, it was learned that these same Town committees could also be combined, continuing to advise Council as before. As part of this process, the Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee was dissolved through a motion from Council. Old Terms of Reference were repealed and, on Monday night, new Terms of Reference for the AIDE Committee were approved by Council, thereby allowing for more collaboration amongst committee members and discussion on a broader range of topics for underserved and underrepresented groups.
Themed Crosswalks Policy
Through collaborative work with community allies, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and the development of the new combined AIDE Strategic Plan, staff have proposed the addition of new themed crosswalks representing African Nova Scotians and Indigenous partnerships – to complement the existing three Veteran themed crosswalks and the Pride crosswalk. These new crosswalks and the Town’s new Themed Crosswalk Policy were all approved by Council.
Fireworks
Council approved a motion allocating $20,000 in the 2025/26 operating budget for fireworks – $10,000 for Canada Day fireworks to be held at the Robb Complex, and $10,000 for New Year’s Eve fireworks to be held at the Amherst Stadium.
Transit Feasibility Study
One of Council’s strategic initiatives is to determine the viability of a transit service within the town. A transit system would foster safe and accessible options for movement within the town and provide a service that reduces barriers and makes Amherst accessible and equitable to all – which are two of Council’s priority outcomes.
Grants are available from senior levels of government that could fund 100% of a Transit Feasibility Study. There is a component of the grant application process requiring a motion of Council approving a Transit Feasibility Study, and this motion was passed on Monday night.
Industrial Park Land Sale Policy
Two components of Council’s Strategic Plan are Economic Prosperity and Industrial Park Expansion. In support of these goals, two new policies were approved at the March 24 meeting of Council. The new Industrial Park Land Sales Policy and amended Sale of Usable Town Owned Lands Policy will give the CAO the authority to negotiate and sell property without having to seek Council approval for each sale, subject to a number of conditions. This sale process gives the Town the ability to respond quickly to potential sales of industrial lands.
Citizen Appointments to Town Committees
Several citizen appointments were set to expire on March 31, 2025 for the Amherst Board of Police Commissioners, the Amherst Planning Advisory Committee, and the North Tyndal Wellfield Advisory Committee. Staff advertised to fill these vacancies and applications were received.
On Monday night, Council appointed Caprice Barbour to the Amherst Board of Police Commissioners for a two-year term effective April 1, 2025. George Baker was appointed to the same committee for a one-year term, effective April 1, 2025.
Ron Wilson and Paul Diamond were both appointed to the Town’s Planning Advisory Committee for two-year terms, effective April 1, 2025.
Keith Thompson was appointed to the North Tyndal Wellfield Advisory Committee for a two-year term, effective April 1, 2025.
Appointment to Amherst Youth Town Council
The Amherst Youth Town Council (AYTC) provides Council with a youth perspective on a wide variety of issues in our town. On Monday night, Council appointed Krissa Murray to the Amherst Youth Town Council, bringing the total to eight members.
LiveScan Fingerprinting System Replacement
The Amherst Police Department’s current LiveScan system is in excess of 10 years old and the software and hardware components are no longer supported by industry. This system is used to digitally scan and send fingerprint information to the Canadian Police Information Centre databases and allows for near instantaneous results on checks. It is a required instrument for any police agency. This item was brought to Council now as staff received a quote for system replacement, for budget planning purposes. It was learned that the quote would soon increase by $10,000, so on Monday night Council approved this one $40,000 allocation in the 2025/26 capital budget for the purchase of a new LiveScan system, to avoid the anticipated price increase.
Provincial Capital Assistance Program (PCAP) Funding Application
The proposed 2025/26 capital budget includes a $650,000 project to install an ultraviolet disinfection system at the Town’s wastewater treatment facility. This project is eligible for funding under the PCAP and requires that a resolution from Council be submitted with the application. On Monday night, Council approved the Provincial Capital Assistance Program funding application for the UV disinfection system and authorized the CAO to submit the application on behalf of the Town.
First Reading of Two Development Agreements
On Monday night, Council gave first reading of the development agreement for 3 Robie Street to permit the conversion of an existing community hall into an 8-unit apartment building, and scheduled a Public Hearing for Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 12:00 noon in Town Hall Council Chambers.
Council also gave first reading on Monday night of the development agreement for 91 Rupert Street to permit the construction of an 18-unit apartment building, and scheduled a Public Hearing for Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 12:00 noon in Town Hall Council Chambers.
Direct enquiries to:
Sean Payne
Corporate Communications Officer
902-694-6265
