Town News
Three People Charged Defrauding Vulnerable Person
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Amherst Police Department
After a 13-month investigation, the Amherst Police Major Crime Unit has laid charges of fraud over $5,000 against three individuals.
In November of 2023, a female victim who suffers from Lou Gehrig’s disease, reported to Amherst Police that a large amount of money was missing from her bank account. The victim, who cannot move, requires several hours of care each day from a variety of care workers. The victim was provided with government funding to allow her to stay in her home.
Investigation into the matter revealed that three staff members assigned to provide care for the victim had removed large sums of money from the victim’s bank account, allegedly to cover hours they had worked. The investigation indicated there were discrepancies between the hours of work reported and the actual hours that had been worked.
Clara Harvey, age 29 years, Stacy Leblanc, age 41 years and Gracie Meisner, age 20 years have all been charged with fraud over $5,000.
Harvey, Leblanc and Meisner were arrested in December 2024 and appeared in court on February 3rd, 2025. All three adjourned their pleas and will next appear in Amherst Provincial Court on March 17th, 2025.
Anyone with further information related to this incident is asked to contact the Amherst Police Department at 902-667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
APD Media Contact:
Cpl. Tom Wood – APD Major Crime Unit
E-mail:
PH: 902-667-8600
Amherst Celebrates African Heritage Month 2025
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The Town of Ahmerst hosted a flag raising and proclamation ceremony on Monday morning to mark the beginning of African Heritage Month.
Mayor Small read the official proclamation, then those gathered heard a message from Tammy Gero - Vice-Chair of the Board of the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association (CANSA) before raising the Pan-African flag.
Emergency Watermain Repair - Boyleston Ave
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- Category: Public Notices
An emergency watermain repair is underway on Boyleston Avenue, between Elmwood Drive and Milford Street.
Traffic will be disrupted in this area - motorists are advised to plan an alternate route.
Water service will be interrupted during repair work, which will be completed as soon as possible.
Questions can be directed to Town Hall at 902-667-3352 or
January 27, 2025 Amherst Town Council - Meeting Highlights
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On Monday night, Amherst Town Council voted to adopt the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. This new tool will be used to guide Council in decision making during their term, and provide staff with direction in developing and implementing their budgets and work plans. The plan establishes Economic Prosperity and a Vibrant Community as our two main priorities, and includes outcomes and initiatives established to work towards these priorities. pdf The new plan is available on our website(8.66 MB) .
Salary Administration Policy
The new strategic plan will have a number of impacts on the distribution of work for Town staff; Council approved several recommendations to realign our resources to effectively implement the new plan, which required amendments to the Salary Administration Policy. The Procurement Coordinator position was eliminated; a new Marketing and Communications Strategist position was created; Director of Planning & Strategic Initiatives was renamed to Director of Planning & Economic Development; Business Development Officer was renamed to Economic Development Officer; Director of Communications, Procurement, and IT was reassigned to the new Deputy CAO; and, the CAO’s office was added to the Salary Administration Policy, with the following positions: Deputy CAO, Marketing and Communications Strategist, Communications Officer, Municipal Clerk, and Administrative Assistant – Clerk’s Office. While many changes have occurred, there is no net increase in staff positions.
Financial Policies
A number of financial matters were brought before Council on Monday. It is mandated under the Municipal Government Act and the Financial Reporting and Accounting Manual (FRAM) for the Province of Nova Scotia that, by January 31 following an election held under the Municipal Elections Act, the Expense Reimbursement Policy, the Hospitality Policy, and the Audit Committee Terms of Reference Policy shall all be reviewed. Council accepted recommendations to update the Expense Reimbursement Policy and the Hospitality Policy to correct minor grammatical errors, update reporting and review requirements; no updates were recommended for the Audit Committee Terms of Reference Policy.
Town of Amherst Strategic Plan, 2024-2028
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- Category: Public Notices
On Monday night, January 27, Amherst Town Council voted to adopt the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. This new tool will be used to guide Council in decision making during their term, and provide staff with direction in developing and implementing their budgets and work plans. The plan establishes Economic Prosperity and a Vibrant Community as our two main priorities, and includes outcomes and initiatives established to work towards these priorities.
Visit the new Strategic Plan page on our website for more information, or pdf download the strategic plan document here(8.66 MB) .
Notice of Public Hearing: Development Agreement Application - 96 Church Street
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- Category: Public Notices
Amherst Town Council will be holding a Public Hearing regarding an application for a Development Agreement to create 7 units, 6 units within a building and one standalone unit, at 96 Church Street (PID 25013814).
A Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. in Town Hall Council Chambers, 98 East Victoria Street, Amherst, NS.
Council will hear submissions in support of or opposition to the application. Written submissions may be provided in advance to the Municipal Clerk at 98 East Victoria Street, or by emailing
For additional information please visit the Development Applications section of the Town of Amherst website or contact Torben Laux, Land Use Planner, at 902-667-3352 or
Natalie LeBlanc
Municipal Clerk
