Town News

Completed: Emergency water main repair - South Albion Street - June 25, 2025
- Details
- Category: Public Notices
Town of Amherst public works crews have completed repairs and water service has been restored to customers in the Albion Street area who were affected by this morning's water main break.
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Water service will be impacted for customers along South Albion Street from Clinton Street to the area of KFC.
This is an emergency water main break. Repair work is underway, and estimated time to finish is several hours.
Another notice will be issued when repairs are complete and water service is restored.
Questions can be directed to 902-667-3352 or

June 23, 2025 Amherst Town Council – Meeting Highlights
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- Category: Media Releases
Change to the Municipal Boundary
In the fall of 2024, the Town of Amherst and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland signed an intermunicipal agreement that will result in a change to the municipal boundary on the south end of town, on lands of the former Dolan soccer complex.
The municipal boundary is being changed in order to facilitate development of up to 600 homes on the property that only partially lays within Amherst boundaries at present.
In exchange for this boundary change, the Town has agreed to provide access to our sanitary sewer system for up to 400 homes in the area of the County in proximity to the town of Amherst.
Several motions were passed by Council on Monday night to facilitate this undertaking.
First, Council approved the application to the Nova Scotia Energy and Regulatory Boards Tribunal for a change of boundary to the town of Amherst, by taking into the town the 47-hectare lot owned by Shaw Rural Housing Limited, which is the site of this current and future housing development.
Second, Council approved First Reading of the bylaw to Amend the Discharge into Public Sewers.
And third, Council approved amendments to the User Fee Policy, the Building Service Connections Policy, the Sanitary Sewer Service Connection to County Residents Policy, the Standard Specifications for Municipal Services Policy, and further, approved a new Sewer Connection Policy.
Amendment of Building Bylaw and Repeal of Vacant Building Bylaw
On April 1st, 2025, Nova Scotia adopted the latest edition of the National Building Code of Canada and new Building Code Regulations. Due to changes in the new regulations, the Town of Amherst's current Building Bylaw is no longer aligned with the updated codes. Council gave second reading to the proposed Building Bylaw amendments on Monday night, mostly housekeeping in nature, to update definitions to align with the National Building Code and corresponding regulations.
The Town of Amherst Vacant Building Bylaw, adopted in 2011, sets out requirements and standards for vacant buildings. The Bylaw includes maintenance standards and provisions for boarding up vacant buildings that are already provided for by the Dangerous or Unsightly Premises provisions of the Municipal Government Act. As such, the Vacant Building Bylaw does not serve a useful purpose at this time. At Monday night’s meeting, Council give second reading of the Bylaw to Repeal the Town of Amherst Vacant Building Bylaw.

Tree maintenance at Beacon Street Park - June 23-24, 2025
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- Category: Public Notices
Public works crews will be removing several trees that fell recently in our Ronald MacDonald Rotary Playground, AKA Beacon Street Park.
This work will take place June 23-24, 2025 and sections of the walking trail will be closed during this time.
Please be aware of all closed areas of the park, to allow the safe completion of this work.

Sidewalk closure on Havelock Street at Ratchford - June 23, 2025 through September
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- Category: Public Notices
Trinity-St. Stephen's Church will be doing repairs to its roof and bell tower over the next three months. This work requires the closure of the sidewalk beside the church on Havelock Street, starting at the corner of Havelock and Ratchford Streets.
Barricades will be in place on the sidewalk and pedestrians are advised to use a crosswalk to access the open sidewalk on the opposite side of the street.
This sidewalk closure will remain in place until work on the church is complete at the end of September, 2025.

Town of Amherst Tax Sale - Thursday, July 3, 2025
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- Category: Public Notices
Public Notice is hereby given that lands and premises hereinafter described are liable to be sold for taxes due to the Town of Amherst as indicated in the sum set under the description of said lot and unless such taxes, interest and expenses are paid, the Town will proceed to sell the land and/or premises at public auction at the Town of Amherst, Town Hall, Council Chambers, 98 Victoria St., Amherst, NS on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 10:00 o’clock in the forenoon according to law, with bidding registration being at 9:30 am.

Two arrested and charged with multiple offenses
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- Category: Media Releases
Amherst Police Department
Two people have been arrested and charged following a traffic check in a parking lot on Robert Angus Drive on the morning of June 20th, 2025.
Shawn EMBREE aged 31 of Cumberland County, Nova Scotia has been charged with:
- Sec 86(1) Criminal Code – Carry a Firearm in a careless manner
- Sec 86(1) Criminal Code – Carry Ammunition in a careless manner
- Sec 90(1) Criminal Code – Carry a concealed weapon (a firearm)
- Sec 91(1) Criminal Code – Possess a firearm without a license
- Sec 92(1) Criminal Code – Illegal possession of a firearm
- Sec 94(1) Criminal Code – Occupant of a Motor Vehicle with a firearm
- Sec 117.01(1) Criminal Code – Possession of a firearm when under a firearm prohibition
- Sec 117.01(1) Criminal Code – Possession of ammunition when under a firearm prohibition
- Sec 88(1) Criminal Code – Possession of a Firearm dangerous to public peace
- Sec 88(1) Criminal Code – Possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace
- Sec 88(1) Criminal Code – Possession of ammunition dangerous to public peace
- Sec 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act - Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (Hydromorphone)
- Sec 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act - Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (Methamphetamine)
Samantha Landry, aged 26 of Cumberland County Nova Scotia has been charged with:
- Sec 5(2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act - Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (Hydromorphone)