Town News
French Toast Fest Returns to Amherst March 23–30
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The Town of Amherst is excited to welcome back French Toast Fest, returning this year from March 23–30. The week-long celebration invites residents and visitors to explore creative French toast dishes prepared by participating restaurants across the community.
Each year, local restaurants put their own spin on the classic breakfast favourite — from sweet to savoury — creating unique menu items that can only be enjoyed during the festival.
This year, Amherst is also welcoming Hub City Foodies, who will be visiting participating restaurants throughout the week. He will be sharing behind-the-scenes content, photos, and videos as restaurants prepare their special creations.
Check out Hub City Foodies
French Toast Fest has quickly become a favourite local tradition, highlighting Amherst’s vibrant food scene while supporting local businesses and giving residents a fun reason to explore restaurants around town.
More details about participating restaurants and featured dishes can be found at amherst.ca/frenchtoastfest or visit Amherst Community Living and Recreation Department on Facebook.
Notice of Publication - By-law to Amend the Commercial Development Support Program By-law P-9
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Notice is hereby given that Amherst Town Council, at a regular meeting held March 23, 2026, approved second and final reading of a By-law to Amend the Commercial Development Support By-law P-9.
This by-law, originally adopted in September of 2017, allowed a commercial property owner who is undertaking a new construction or a significant expansion, to phase in the increased taxes as a result of the increased assessment of their property over a ten-year period. The by-law amendments now phase in the taxes for the new assessment over five years. In addition, amendments include capping the rebate paid to a maximum of $100,000 annually, updating the map in Schedule A – Land Use Zoning Map, as well as corrections to some minor grammatical errors.
These amendments will only impact new agreements from May 1, 2026, on; all current agreements will be honoured in their current form.
Copies of this By-law may be inspected and/or a copy obtained at the office of the Municipal Clerk, Dominion Public Building, 98 East Victoria Street, Amherst during regular business hours or on the Town of Amherst website, here: https://www.amherst.ca/government/bylaws.html.
Natalie LeBlanc
Municipal Clerk
Male Arrested and Facing Driving Related Charges
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Amherst Police Department
A 39-year-old Amherst man has been arrested and is facing numerous charges relating to driving-related incidents that have occurred in Amherst in January 2026. The accused allegedly has a revoked driver’s license. Several tickets have also been issued under the Motor Vehicle Act for driving related offenses during these incidents.
On January 6th, 2026, an off-duty police officer observed the accused in the area of South Albion Street in Amherst. Patrols located the accused on Station Street and emergency equipment was activated to perform a vehicle stop on Victoria Street. The accused allegedly pulled to the side momentarily, and then fled at a high rate of speed out of town. As a result of the risk and weather conditions, Police terminated the pursuit.
On January 14th, 2026, Police observed the accused operating a vehicle in the area of South Albion Street. There were additional passengers in the vehicle. Police activated emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop and the accused allegedly fled from Police, driving in an erratic and dangerous and manner and at a high speed. As a result of the risk, police discontinued the pursuit.
Albert O’Blenis, aged 39 of Amherst, Novia Scotia has been charged with:
- Flight from Police – Section 320.117 Criminal Code (January 6th, 2026)
- Flight from Police – Section 320.17 Criminal Code (January 14th, 2026)
- Dangerous Driving – Section 320.13(1) Criminal Code (January 14th, 2026)
- Endangering a child – Section 218 Criminal Code (January 14th, 2026)
Male Arrested and Facing Multiple Charges
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Amherst Police Department
A 27-year-old Amherst man has been arrested and is facing numerous charges following an incident overnight on March 24th, 2026.
Shortly before 3:00am on March 24th, 2026, Amherst Police were summoned to a residential building in the downtown area concerning a male that had allegedly been making threats and had damaged a door. The male is also currently on court release conditions. When Police arrived, the male was located and allegedly resisted arrest and spit in the face of the one of the officers. He was arrested and lodged in police cells overnight.
Avery Grassing, aged 27, of Amherst Nova Scotia has been charged with:
- Mischief under $5000 – Section 430(4) Criminal Code
- Uttering threats to cause death – Section 264.1(1)(a) Criminal Code
- Fail to comply with undertaking conditions – Section 145(4)(a) Criminal Code (x2)
- Assault on Police Officer – Section 270(2) Criminal Code
- Resist Arrest – 129(a) Criminal Code
Grassing was held in custody overnight and is scheduled to make an appearance in court on March 24th, 2026.
March 23, 2026 Amherst Town Council Highlights
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Amherst Town Council held its regular March meeting on Monday night to address items including:
Volunteers of the Year
In November 2025, a public call was issued for nominations to celebrate volunteers. After thorough review, Council nominated Paul Cormier as the Amherst Volunteer of the Year, Arilynn Menzies as the Youth Volunteer of the Year and the Short family as the Family Volunteers of the Year, to be recognized at the Nova Scotia Provincial Volunteer Awards Ceremony.
The Town thanks all volunteers within our community who go above and beyond to make Amherst a truly special place to live. The Town of Amherst will be honored to recognize all nominated individuals at an event hosted in Amherst on April 21, 2026.
Appointment of Citizens to Boards and Committees
Alex Harrison and Chris Johanneson were each appointed to the Amherst Board of Police Commissioners for a one-year term, beginning April 1, 2026.
Jim Lamplugh was re-appointed to the Planning Advisory Committee for a two-year term, also beginning April 1, 2026.
Policies and Bylaws – Amendments and Adoptions
The Street Light Policy has been amended to better reflect current practices. The updates clarify the purpose of street lighting and how decisions are made, with a focus on safety, accessibility, responsible fiscal management, and long-term asset management.
Recently, staff have been working towards improving the procurement process for both staff and vendors. Changes were approved for the Procurement Policy that include bringing the purchasing threshold limits in line with the limits of the Atlantic Trade and Procurement Partnership and Canada Free Trade Agreement. This change is expected to expedite transactions in the majority of cases and reduce the legal risks to the Town.
Council approved the new Performance Management and Development Policy, which advances an action item identified in the Town’s People Strategy and supports the continued modernization and strengthening of our HR practices.
The purpose of the Inquiries From Council Policy is to ensure that all inquiries or requests for information are consistently directed through the Chief Administrative Officer or, in their absence, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. Updates were approved that include points of clarification, use of proper pronouns, and adding the Deputy CAO as someone who may receive inquiries or requests for information from Council.
Council approved amendments to the Snow and Ice Management Policy after having directed staff to complete a review, with a focus on road salting service levels. Salting will be expanded to include priority-2 streets, and the term “as needed” has been replaced with “when conditions warrant,” which is now clearly defined in the policy. Overall, the updates provide clearer direction and greater flexibility in managing winter operations.
The Commercial Development Support Program Bylaw was adopted in September of 2017 and allows a property owner who is undertaking a new construction or a significant expansion to phase in the increased taxes over a ten-year period. Amendments include phasing in taxes for the new assessment over five years and capping the maximum payable annual rebate at $100,000. These changes will only impact new agreements from May 1, 2026. Given the significant capital investment in the new business park, these changes will allow the Town to recoup costs earlier and grow the assessment base to the benefit of all taxpayers. The amended bylaw has been adopted.
Public Participation Opportunity - 1 Albion Street
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Development Agreement Application
The Town of Amherst invites you to attend a Public Participation Opportunity regarding an application for a Development Agreement on the property located at 1 Albion Street (PID 25009432) to permit the construction of a 24-unit and 12-unit Apartment Building.
A Public Participation Opportunity will be held on Monday, March 30th, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Town Hall Council Chambers, 98 East Victoria Street, Amherst, NS.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the proposal followed by an opportunity for questions and comments. At a later date, a summary of the meeting will be provided to the Planning Advisory Committee who will consider a recommendation to Amherst Town Council.
Written submissions in support of or opposition to the proposal will be accepted in advance. These should be directed to Natalie LeBlanc, Municipal Clerk at 98 East Victoria Street, or by emailing
For additional information please visit the current application section of the Town of Amherst website (https://www.amherst.ca/development-applications.html) or contact Torben Laux, Land Use Planner at 902-667-3352 or by email to
Natalie LeBlanc
Municipal Clerk
