Town News

Next Council meeting: April 22 at 6 p.m.

Details
Published: Thursday, 17 April 2025 08:00

The agenda package for this meeting is now available:  pdf 04 22 2025 Council Agenda(4.59 MB)

Agenda items include:

  • Presentations: Liam Duggan, Atlantic Gymnastics Championships & Fish Rehab Project
  • Information Report: Council Strategic Priorities
  • Noise By-law – 1st reading
  • Tender Award: Dares Lake Dam and Spillway Upgrades
  • Tender Award: Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades and Expansion
  • PCAP and FRIIP Grant Application Request
  • Contract Award: Fuel and Furnace Maintenance

Council meetings are open to the public and held in Town Hall. Please use the accessible back entrance at 120 Townsend Street.

Meetings are also livestreamed through Zoom. To livestream this meeting starting at 6 pm, use this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88956545878 

Compost Site Opening for the Season

Details
Published: Wednesday, 16 April 2025 10:34

The Town of Lunenburg is pleased to announce the seasonal opening of the Starr Street Municipal Compost Site. This service is free of charge and available exclusively to residents of the Town of Lunenburg.

Residents are encouraged to drop off leaves, tree limbs, and garden waste to help support environmentally responsible yard waste disposal.

Location: Starr Street Compost Site
Open: Fridays, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Season Start: Friday, April 25
Season End: until the last Friday in November 2025

Please note that the site is for residential use only and is not open to commercial or out-of-town users.

Let’s work together to keep our community green and sustainable.

Council Highlights: April 15, 2025

Details
Published: Wednesday, 16 April 2025 10:12

The Council Highlights from the last meeting are available here: Council Highlights

Council Highlights are a concise digest of newsworthy decisions and issues from Town of Lunenburg Council meetings.

Spring 2025 Newsletter

Details
Published: Wednesday, 16 April 2025 07:14

The Spring 2025 Town of Lunenburg Newsletter is here! It’s been delivered to all local PO boxes—check yours if you haven’t already.

The current Town of Lunenburg Council was elected in October 2024 and is looking at ways to better connect with the community. One option we’re exploring is this mail-out newsletter to help keep you informed about key decisions, upcoming meetings, and opportunities to get involved. This is a trial format, and we’ll be exploring more permanent communication methods over the coming months.

Along with being delivered to your PO box, this newsletter is also available online:  pdf 2025 Spring Newsletter(231 KB)

The newsletter includes updates on:

  • Budget meetings and public input opportunities
  • Proposed changes to the Noise By-law
  • Volunteer Appreciation Award nominations

Did you know we have an online Town Calendar?

To keep in the know with all Council, Committee and other Town meetings and events, check out our online calendar: townoflunenburg.ca/town-government/meeting-schedule.html

Public Washrooms on Bluenose Drive Opening for the Season

Details
Published: Tuesday, 15 April 2025 15:29

We are pleased to announce that the public washrooms located on Bluenose Drive will be opening for the season on Friday, April 18th.

These facilities will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, providing convenient access for residents and visitors enjoying the waterfront, local shops, and attractions in the area.

We kindly ask all users to help us keep the washrooms clean and accessible by using them responsibly and reporting any maintenance concerns to Town staff.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to another great season on Bluenose Drive.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: Electric Utility Rate Application

Details
Published: Thursday, 10 April 2025 13:29

As approved by Council on March 25, 2025, the Town of Lunenburg has submitted a rate application to the Nova Scotia Energy Board (formerly the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board) on behalf of the Lunenburg Electric Utility.

A public hearing for this application has been scheduled by the Board for July 22, 2025. As part of the application, the Town has requested that the rate increase for General Service customer classes be phased in, with a 15% increase pending approval, and the remaining 6% deferred.

See the official Nova Scotia Energy Board Public Hearing Notice (PDF) here:  pdf Notice of Public Hearing(98 KB)

Here are the hearing details and how you can take part:

  • Hearing starts: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
    (Continuing Wednesday, July 23, 2025, if necessary)

  • Evening Session: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM

  • Hearing Location: Town of Lunenburg Council Chambers, 120 Townsend Street (Town Hall Back Entrance), Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

How to Participate in the Public Hearing

  • Speak at the Hearing
    If you would like to speak during the hearing, you must let the Board know by Monday, June 23, 2025.

  • Submit Written Comments
    You can share your views in writing by sending a letter to the Clerk of the Board:
    • Mail: P.O. Box 1692, Unit “M”, Halifax, NS B3J 3S3
    • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    • Fax: (902) 424-3919

      All written submissions must be received by Monday, June 23, 2025.
  • Request Intervenor Status
    If you wish to take a more active role—such as presenting evidence or asking questions—you can apply for formal standing as an Intervenor. This request must be submitted by Monday, April 28, 2025, and is subject to Board approval.

What Does This Mean for Customers? 

Domestic (Household) Customers: Based on an average monthly usage of 837 kWh, households can expect their bills to increase by approximately $17.80 per month, from $152.17 to $169.97. 
 
Even with the increase, Lunenburg’s proposed rates are still 2.7% lower than Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) rates for the same usage. 

General Service (Business) Customers: The proposed 21% increase will be phased in to reduce financial pressure: 

  • 15% applied immediately upon Nova Scotia Energy Board approval. 
  • The remaining 6% will be recovered over a period determined by the Nova Scotia Energy Board.  

These increases must be approved by the Nova Scotia Energy Board before they can take effect. If approved, the new rates are expected to take effect in the fall of 2025. 

The Nova Scotia Energy Board is an independent, quasi-judicial body responsible for regulating utilities and ensuring that rates are fair, reasonable, and in the public interest. In this case, the Nova Scotia Energy Board will review the Town’s proposed rate increases to determine if they are justified and reasonable. 

Why is This Increase Necessary?  

This is the first General Rate increase proposed since 2013. The Town has managed to avoid a general increase as new capital expenditures have been low and relying on smaller adjustments related to power cost flow-throughs. However, rising costs and urgent infrastructure needs have made a rate increase unavoidable. 

The proposed increase will help cover operational costs and fund essential capital investments aimed at improving grid reliability, expanding capacity, and modernizing the system to support future growth and meet climate resilience standards.