Welcome to Council Highlights, a concise digest of newsworthy decisions and issues from Town of Lunenburg Council meetings. For a more detailed account of Council meetings, check Council agendas and minutes on the Council Meetings page.
Jan. 13, 2026
Council Recognizes Local Workers for Life-Saving Action
Council recognized Tony Schleihauf and Sourav Sourav of William Gerhardt Property Improvement for their actions during an emergency in Bayswater on December 31, 2025.
The two men witnessed a serious incident involving a vehicle in the water and immediately took action to help. Using their training and quick thinking, they assisted a person in distress until first responders arrived.
Council thanked Tony and Sourav for their courage, calm response, and willingness to step forward in a critical moment, noting that their actions reflect the very best of community spirit.
Council Recognizes Restaurateurs Martin and Sylvie Ruiz Salvador
Council recognized Martin and Sylvie Ruiz Salvador, co-owners of Lunenburg Restaurants, including Beach Pea Kitchen & Bar, The South Shore Fish Shack, Salt Shaker Deli, and others, for their recent Taste of Nova Scotia Award.
The Taste of Nova Scotia Awards celebrate excellence across the province’s food and beverage sector, recognizing restaurants, producers, and industry leaders from communities across Nova Scotia.
Council congratulated Martin and Sylvie on this provincial recognition, noting their leadership in Lunenburg’s food and hospitality sector and their long-standing contribution to the community and local economy.
Jan. 12, 2026 Special Capital Budget Meeting
2026/27 Capital Budget Presentation: What Council Reviewed on January 12
At a Special Council Meeting on January 12, Council received the first presentation of the 2026/27 Capital Budget for both the Town and the Water Utility
A capital budget is different from the Town’s operating budget. It focuses on large, long-term investments in infrastructure and assets, including roads, sidewalks, buildings, water and wastewater systems, equipment, and major facility upgrades.
This meeting was the first step in Council’s review of the capital budget and was specifically scheduled to give the public an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback before any decisions are made.
What’s in the 2026/27 Draft Capital Budget?
Town General Capital Budget: $3.895 million
Staff presented a draft capital plan focused on maintaining and improving core Town infrastructure, including:
- Public Works infrastructure and equipment ($1.6M)
- Wastewater and stormwater projects ( $587,000, not including the major wastewater plant upgrade already underway)
- Recreation facilities ($484,000)
- Town buildings and facilities ($1.23M)
Some of the notable projects Council reviewed include:
- Lunenburg Academy roof repairs ($1.039M, pre-approved in December)
- Town Hall interior restoration planning to improve efficiency and accessibility
- Sidewalk renewals on Pelham Street and Victoria Road
- Street reconstruction on Pelham Street and design work for Maple Avenue
- Accessibility upgrades to sidewalks, parking, and the Community Centre
- Arena ice plant replacement to prevent breakdowns
Water Utility Capital Budget: $777,000
The Water Utility budget focuses on keeping the Town’s drinking water system safe, reliable, and resilient.
Key projects include:
- Tank bypass line at the Water Treatment Plant ($586,000) to allow water to flow even if the storage tank is offline
- Water meter rollout (multi-year project already approved)
- Hydrant replacements and new services
- Design work for Maple Avenue watermain renewal
- Planning for future transmission main upgrades to protect long-term water supply reliability
The full budget presentation is available in the agenda for this meeting: pdf 01 12 2026 Budget Agenda(19.42 MB)
Reviewing Reserves
Alongside the Capital Budget, Council also reviewed how much money the Town has set aside for future repairs and major projects.
Staff explained that the Town has many large infrastructure needs coming up, like fixing Town Hall and upgrading stormwater systems, and that current savings aren’t keeping up with what those projects will cost. While the Town applies for grants whenever possible, grant funding isn’t guaranteed, so the Town also needs to plan for how it will pay for these projects over time.
To start that conversation, staff proposed:
- Setting up a new capital reserve fund, funded through the tax rate, at a proposed rate of $0.10 per $100 of assessment to help pay for major infrastructure projects
- Adding a part-time grants position to help bring more outside funding into the Town
These were early proposals only. Council will review these options as part of the full 2026/27 budget process, including the Operating Budget, and no decisions have been made yet.
What Happens Next?
This was the first presentation of the 2026/27 Capital Budget and the public’s first chance to comment.
The Capital Budget is scheduled to return to Council on Monday, January 26 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, where Council is expected to vote on the capital budgets.
Council may also choose to defer or amend parts of the budget if more discussion or information is needed before final approval.
How to share your feedback
Residents who were unable to attend the January 12 meeting, or who have additional comments, are welcome to email their questions or feedback to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than Tuesday, January 20 at 12:00 p.m.
All submissions received by that deadline will be shared with Council as part of the capital budget review.