January 27, 2023: During waste collection this week, a large number of sharps (used needles), were discovered in bags placed curbside for collection.

Region of Queens Municipality has properly disposed of the sharps, and would like to remind residents that there are procedures to follow to safely dispose of sharps. Sharps are not permitted to be placed curbside for disposal. Placing them in regular household waste creates a hazard for other people, pets, and wildlife in terms of safety and as a biohazard.

How to Safely Dispose of Used Sharps:

Used sharps (syringes, needles, and lancets) can be harmful if they are not handled and disposed of properly. Through the Safe Sharps program, Nova Scotians can access a proper container for disposing of sharp needles in a safe manner, at no cost. Once the container is full, it can be returned to the local pharmacy.

• DO NOT put needles, syringes, or lancets into plastic bottles or jugs,
• DO NOT put needles, syringes, or lancets in Garbage or recycling bags,
• DO NOT flush needles, syringes, or lancets down the toilet,
• DO NOT burn them.

The Safe Sharps Program is free of charge, funded by Nova Scotia’s pharmacies, sharps manufactures and medical distributors. For more information contact: Divert Nova Scotia at 1(877) 313-7732, your community pharmacy, or the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Learn more by clicking this link: https://www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/works/waste-management/other-recycling-programs/101-other-recycling-programs/452-safe-sharps-program

February 1, 2023: In observance of African Heritage month, Region of Queens Municipality is flying the Pan African Flag on the Special Purpose Flagpole at Town Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, 219 Main St., Liverpool, beginning February 1 and continuing until February 15.

 With over 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities dating back over 400 years, African Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the culture, legacy, achievements, and contributions of people of African descent – past and present.

 Learn more on the website of African Heritage Month Information Network : http://www.ahm.bccnsweb.com/wp/home/

or Nova Scotia’s Office of African Nova Scotia Affairs: https://ansa.novascotia.ca/african-heritage-month

February 1, 2023:  Cowie Well located at 733 Main Street, Liverpool, has been approved to reopen by Nova Scotia Department of Environment.

We thank the public for their patience.

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January 18, 2023: The Cowie Well located at 733 Main Street, Liverpool, will be closed until further notice. Routine testing at Cowie Well has produced a failed result. As a result, the well needs to be closed for further testing as per Nova Scotia Environment. If you have recently taken water from the well and are concerned, please dispose of it.

We will notify when Cowie Well is approved to be reopened. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Planning Advisory Committee meeting regularly scheduled for February 6, 2023 has been re-scheduled to Wednesday February 15, 2023 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers of the Municipal Administration building, 249 White Point Road in Liverpool.

February 3, 2023:  Environment Canada has issued an Extreme Cold Warning, in effect from Friday evening, February 3,  through to Saturday afternoon, February 4.  Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an elevated risk to health such as frost bite and hypothermia.

The warning states that: An arctic airmass will combine with strong and gusty northwest winds to give bitterly cold conditions by tonight. Windchill values of minus 35 to minus 43 are expected to develop late night and will persist into Saturday morning before beginning to moderate Saturday afternoon as temperatures warm up.

Please stay safe!  There are a number of things to watch for when there is extreme cold: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes.

People are advised to seek shelter, cover up and/or dress warmly and in layers. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.  More information is on the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness website at https://novascotia.ca/nse/environmental-health/staying-warm-in-winter.asp. 

For more information about the Extreme Cold Warning: https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ns4

 Warming Centres/Shelters

Locally, there are some areas that the public can access to get warm during this extreme cold period (please check back.  As more information is received, we will update the list).

• Queens Place Emera Centre (50 Queens Place Drive, Liverpool) is open for residents.  With the forecasted bitterly cold windchill values for Friday, February 3 through Sunday, February 5 for our communities, the public are welcome to warm up at Queens Place Emera Centre.    Open hours: Friday, February 3 – 6 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday, February 4 – 8 a.m – 7 p.m., and Sunday, February 5 – 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• North Queens Fire Station (Hwy. 8, Caledonia) will be open as a warming centre 8am -9 pm Saturday due to the cold temperatures if you need assistance or need help before or after the posted times contact chief Wolfe at (902)682-7277
• Liverpool Fire Department (520 Main St., Liverpool) is offering a Warming Shelter.  The Warming Shelter will be open from 6 p.m. on Friday, February 3 through to 9 a.m. on Sunday, February 5. All are welcome.
• Port Medway Fire Department (66 Long Cove Rd., Port Medway)  is open as a comfort centre during the power outage on Saturday, February 4, 2023.  The comfort centre will remain open until power is restored at approximately 2 p.m. February 4.  The comfort centre is a place to get warm, charge devices and have a warm drink.