Media Releases
December 16, 2024 Amherst Town Council - Meeting Highlights
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During Monday night’s meeting of Amherst Town Council, a motion was passed approving funding for two initiatives, totalling $8,100 under the Community Support Grants Policy, Social Equity Fund. From the approved funding amount, a $5,000 contribution will be made to the Amherst Community Christmas Dinner, which is open to anyone, providing an inclusive environment for those experiencing food insecurity and a welcoming holiday meal. A $3,100 contribution will be made to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides books to more than 220 children in Amherst to inspire their quest for learning.
Audit Committee – Citizen Appointment
One of the two citizen appointees to the Town of Amherst’s Audit Committee – Rob Small – was recently elected as Mayor. Therefore, his appointment to the committee as a citizen was vacant for a period. Expressions of interest were sought through The Casket and Town of Amherst social media, resulting in receipt of three applications.
On Monday night, Council appointed Rae Burke as a citizen member of the Town of Amherst Audit Committee for a term ending on October 31, 2025.
Amherst Youth Town Council Appointments
Involving youth in the community adds value to youth development. It also empowers our young people to be active participants in their community through positive engagement, while providing Council with a youth perspective on issues pertaining to young people in Amherst.
In June of 2024, seven students expressed interest in returning to the Amherst Youth Town Council, which is capped at 15 members; since then, two new persons have been recruited. Council appointed Isla Crocker and Hanna Brunt to the Amherst Youth Town Council on Monday night, bringing the total number of members up to nine.
Police Body-Worn Cameras
The purchase of 10 body-worn cameras for the amount of $50,000 was approved in the 2024/25 Capital Budget. Since the purchase was initially considered, technology and pricing have changed considerably. Staff recommended a solution to lease the equipment instead of purchasing it.
In leasing the equipment, the provider will ensure required integrations with existing technology, data storage in the cloud, as well as required repairs and equipment replacement.
Council passed a motion to remove the purchase of 10 police body-worn cameras from the 2024/25 Capital Budget and authorized the lease of 12 police body-worn cameras at a cost of approximately $20,000 annually, to be funded from the Police Department Operating Budget.
Full details of the Council meeting are available in the agenda package, located on our website
Amherst Holding New Year’s Eve Event Featuring Fireworks Display
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At a special meeting of Amherst Town Council on Tuesday afternoon, a motion was passed to move forward with including fireworks at the Amherst Stadium following the planned skating party on New Years Eve.
Staff confirmed that the supplier – Fireworks FX – can accommodate the request, and Amherst will have a fireworks show on New Year’s Eve.
Community Living staff are planning a small early afternoon event at the Amherst Stadium for December 31. This will include ice skating and hot chocolate – taking place from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
New Year’s Eve fireworks will begin right around 5:30 p.m. at the Amherst Stadium.
Amherst Man Charged with Multiple Offences
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Amherst Police Department
The Amherst Police Department has made an arrest and laid a charge of sexual assault against a "holistic practitioner" operating in Amherst, Nova Scotia.
Mangala Ranasinghe, aged 59 years old, who operates “Healing Touch Holistic” located in Amherst Nova Scotia was arrested on November 27th 2024 after the Amherst Police Major Crime Unit, with the assistance of the Patrol Section, executed a search warrant at that location. The investigation was initiated after Amherst Police received a complaint from an adult female that she had allegedly been sexually assaulted during a visit to the location in October 2024.
Sexual assault is any touching of another person without their consent where the touching is of a sexual nature, or where the sexual integrity of the victim is violated. A sexual assault can range from unwanted touching to sexual assault involving penetration.
There is no statute of limitation when it comes to reporting a sexual assault. This means that no matter how long ago the sexual assault happened, you can still report it to police for investigation.
Ranasinghe was arrested, held in custody and is expected to appear in court later on November 28th, 2024.
Anyone with information related to this incident or similar incidents is asked to contact the Amherst Police Department at 902-667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
APD Media Contact:
Cpl. Tom Wood
902-667-8600
November 25 Town Council - Meeting Highlights
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Deputy Mayor
Councillor Hal Davidson was elected deputy mayor of the Town of Amherst at Monday’s council meeting. Davidson, who was first elected to council in 2020 and re-elected in October 2024, will serve a one-year term.
Council Committee Appointments
Following a municipal election, Mayor and members of Council must be formally appointed to a number of committees. All members of Council are appointed to the Committee of the Whole of Amherst Town Council, as well as the Amherst Audit Committee. The following appointments were also approved by a motion of Council, effective November 25, 2024, and expiring on October 31, 2025 (unless otherwise noted):
Mayor Small: GFL Community Liaison Committee; Regional Emergency Management; and, Tyndal Wellfield Advisory Committee.
Councillor Chambers: Amherst Board of Police Commissioners (expiring October 31, 2027); Planning Advisory Committee; and, YMCA Board of Directors.
Councillor Davidson: Amherst Board of Police Commissioners (expiring October 31, 2026); and, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee.
Councillor Furlong: Amherst Board of Police Commissioners (expiring October 31, 2027); Northern Region Solid Waste Committee; and, Regional Emergency Management.
Councillor McManaman: Accessibility Advisory Committee; Cumberland Public Libraries Board; Planning Advisory Committee; and, Tyndal Wellfield Advisory Committee.
Councillor Ripley: Intermunicipal Tourism Committee; and, Planning Advisory Committee.
Councillor Wells: Accessibility Advisory Committee; Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee; and, Senior Safety Advisory Committee.
Male Arrested for Multiple Break and Enters
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Amherst Police Department
A 30-year-old male has been taken into custody in regards to break and enters that occurred on November 12th, 2024 in the Queen Street/Albion Street Area.
Police had been called to the area at approximately 5:46pm when 2 subsequent calls regarding a suspect breaking into residences in the Queen Street area were received. In one instance, the suspect allegedly broke into a residence by crawling through a window he had smashed out. The suspect was in possession of a knife and was confronted by occupants. The suspect fled the residence through the rear entrance and towards another residence where he allegedly smashed in another window and crawled inside where he was again confronted by the occupants. He fled the scene and was met on the street by responding police officers. The accused dropped the weapon and was taken into custody without further incident. He was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries and then into police cells for the night.
Amherst Paints Crosswalks Downtown Honouring Veterans
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CTV News Atlantic covered our memorial crosswalks in a recent story: Crosswalks comemorate veterans.
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Downtown Amherst features new memorial artwork in three of its crosswalks, all honouring the town’s veterans.
“This is Veterans’ Week, and Remembrance Day is this coming Monday, so we wanted to do something special to respectfully celebrate our veterans,” said Amherst Mayor Rob Small. “We’ve received a lot of interest recently from citizens who wanted to see us paint these memorial crosswalks – so, that’s exactly what we’re doing today.”
For the last few years, the Town has been working hard to grow its relationship with the Royal Canadian Legion’s Amherst branch, and the two organizations have partnered on a number of projects including the Afghanistan war memorial, as well as Remembrance Day and D-Day ceremonies.
