April 29, 2023; Liverpool, NS: Following several months of budget planning and deliberations, the annual Operating, Water Utility, and Capital Budgets for Region of Queens Municipality were unanimously approved at the April 29, 2024 Special Council meeting. The budget was approved with no increase to the previous year’s tax rate. Operating Budget total is $29.8 million, including Hillsview Acres. The 2024-2025 Water Utility Budget totals $1.25 million with a projected deficit of $442,122, and the Capital Budget total is $21.5 million.

“Queens is in a period of population and business growth and requires robust infrastructure, accessible recreational opportunities, and diverse services. Balancing those needs in a budget with Council’s desire to have no increase in tax rate due to economic challenges faced by many, made this year’s budget process challenging but we are happy to announce the base tax rate in all categories has remained the same as last year,” said Mayor Darlene Norman.

Region of Queens Municipality’s tax rates are inclusive of services such as fire services, street lighting, solid waste collection, and paving, which are often collected as area rates in other Municipalities. Tax bills will be mailed to property owners by the end of May, with taxes due upon receipt, however, if paid by June 30, 2024, no interest charges will be applied.

The 2024-2025 Operating, Water Utility and Capital Budgets will be posted on-line by the end of the week: https://www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/finance/financial-statement . The Special Council meeting of April 29, 2024 was live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Residents wishing to watch Council approve the budgets may watch the video on the Region of Queens Municipality’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK2q2i7QSvBDBqS38uCApvQ/videos

Fact Sheet: 2024-2025 Budget, Region of Queens Municipality

• No increase in Residential, Resource and Commercial Tax assessment for all properties throughout Queens County.
• A half cent decrease in hydrant charges in District 13 and those in Districts 1, 3, 5, and 6 for those properties connected to, or have the ability to connect to Liverpool’s Water Utility.
• Residential and Resource Tax Rate for Districts 1 – 12 (all communities, excluding Liverpool) remains at $1.07 per $100 assessment.
• Residential and Resource Tax Rate for District 13 (Liverpool) is now $1.895 per $100 assessment.
• Commercial Tax Rate Districts 1 – 12 is now $2.17 per $100 assessment.
• Commercial Tax Rate for District 13 is now $2.995 per $100 assessment.
• The Water Utility Budget is projecting a deficit of $442,122 with no rate increase.
• The five (5) volunteer fire departments in Queens (Greenfield and District Volunteer Fire Department, Liverpool Fire Fighters Association, Mill Village and District Volunteer Fire Department, North Queens Fire Association, and Port Medway Fire Department) will receive an additional 1 cent of the tax rate ($126,772) to increase the fire truck funding.
• Scholarships amounts were increased by $4,500, which will provide 3 graduating students with a scholarship of $3,000 each to pursue higher education (one graduating student at Liverpool Regional High School, North Queens Community School, and Queens Adult High School).
• Capital projects totaling $21.5 million are budgeted, including upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure on Waterloo Street (eastern section) and Weir Lane, commencement of upgrades to the system to enable the Mount Pleasant water and wastewater extension, as well as re-routing water distribution lines from the water treatment facility. A Provincial grant of $10.7 million has been received for the $20.5 million water and wastewater upgrades in Liverpool and Mount Pleasant areas.
• Funds have been allocated in the amount of $2 million for a heated, 6-lane, 25 metre, accessible outdoor pool in South Queens, to replace the 57-year-old Milton Centennial Pool. Also, an anonymous donation of $3 million was committed and provincial funding of $2.2 million was received, fulfilling the estimated $7.2 million cost of this project.
• Renovations to adapt available space at the Liverpool Business Development Centre to house library services have been budgeted at $1,000,000.
• Funds of $50,000 have been budgeted to start a reserve fund for a jet fuel system at South Shore Regional Airport. The funds will help to leverage the additional 2/3 funding needed for such a system.
• Fireworks funding has been budgeted for North Queens in the amount of $5,000.
• Additional funding of $10,000 was added to the total for Tax Exemptions for low-income households (total amount in budget is $135,000), and the maximum household income levels were increased in each of the 3 categories (total household income levels of $0 – $25,000 are eligible for a rebate of $400, from $25,001 – $30,000 are eligible for $350 rebate, and from $30,001 – $35,000 are eligible for $300 rebate

April 29, 2024; Liverpool, NS:  Big things result from collaborations. Provincial funding in the amount of $2.2 million was announced on Friday, April 26 to support an outdoor pool project initiated by the commitment of a large private donation, and funding from Region of Queens Municipality.  The $7.2 million outdoor pool project is planned to be built on the grounds of Queens Place Emera Centre, in Brooklyn, Queens County as a replacement for the 57-year-old Milton Centennial Pool.  The Municipal contribution to the project is $2 million.

“Partnerships between levels of government, private donors and volunteers who provide their expertise, result in significant community impact,” said Darlene Norman, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality.  “Municipalities provide important services to the community such as recreational opportunities. Infrastructure such as trails, arenas, playgrounds, and pools help create a healthy lifestyle, as well as being attractive features for those looking to relocate their home or business here in Queens.  Growth benefits everyone, and we appreciate the support of the province in helping with the development and improvement of Queens County’s recreational assets.”

More than two years ago, Council received a commitment for a generous anonymous donation to be used to build a community outdoor pool in South Queens to replace the Milton Centennial Pool, which was starting to show significant signs of failure due to its age. The donors envisioned a pool large enough to provide various aquatic activities including hosting recognized swim meets. Council was supportive, and formed a community led Pool Committee with two Council members as members, and the Pool Committee researched the design, with accessibility as a priority.  Moving forward, the Pool Committee will remain involved in a supportive role through activities such as fundraising initiatives for additional components. 

The 6-lane, 25 metre, outdoor pool will be heated, using the excess heat generated from ice production in the arena at Queens Place Emera Centre; this will enable the season to be extended earlier in the summer and later in the fall than the traditional outdoor pool season of July and August.

The outdoor pool project will soon go to tender for construction, with an anticipated opening for the 2026 season.

The Queens District RCMP Detachment at 20 Shore Rd. in Liverpool will be temporarily closed for front counter services due to an interior renovation. The closure will begin on April 24 and is expected to last six to nine months. They ask that the public not attend the Queens District RCMP Detachment in Liverpool during this time.

During the closure, requests for Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Checks will be completed by RCMP staff at the Region of Queens Municipality Office, 249 White Point Rd., Liverpool, on Tuesdays, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

If you require fingerprinting, please contact the Queens District RCMP at 902-354-5721 and arrangements will be made for you.

Queens District RCMP officers will continue to provide policing services during the detachment closure. To speak with an officer or to report a crime, call 902-354-5721; in an emergency, call 911.

May will soon be here! 

The start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly emerged native bees. Flowers may be hard to find, especially in urban and suburban landscapes. By allowing grass to grow longer and letting flowers bloom, lawns can provide nectar and pollen to help our bee neighbors thrive.

Mowing less creates habitat and may increase the abundance and diversity of wildlife including bees and other pollinators. Mowing less frequently (every two or three weeks) or leaving selected areas unmown can increase flower blooms and provide food for hungry bees.

In keeping with the No Mow and Low Mow movement for May, several areas of Municipal parks and green spaces will not be mowed, leaving them as a habitat and feeding area for the bees and other pollinators throughout the month of May. They are as follows:

• Privateer Park, Liverpool – centre circle
• Queens Place Emera Centre, Liverpool – front lawn
• Path Lake Park, Port Joli
• Port Medway Lighthouse Park, Port Medway
• North Queens Aquatic Centre, Caledonia – front lawn

#LowMowMay #BeeLove

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate and thank Canada’s 24 million volunteers, especially the local volunteers who make our communities stronger. The theme this year is “Every Moment Matters”, a reminder of the importance of every volunteer and each contribution they make to enrich our community. Volunteering helps us find friendship, develop trust, and gain belonging. We become more deeply connected to our community and create a sense of unity, which builds on our capacity to work collectively and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive society. Canadians have dedicated approximately 5 billion hours to volunteer activities! That’s something worth celebrating! How has volunteering impacted your life? Share your stories! 
Learn more:https://volunteer.ca/nvw

April 15, 2025; Liverpool, NS: Water and wastewater services in Queens County will see upgrades and extensions as the result of a $21.5 million dollar investment, cost shared by Nova Scotia’s Municipal Growth Plan and Region of Queens Municipality.  The Province’s contribution is $10.7 million, and $10.8 million is to be funded by Region of Queens Municipality.

The project will upgrade some water and wastewater systems that are currently at or over capacity, improving the amount of water and water pressure for 1,250 existing homes and businesses on the Municipal Water Utility, as well as for essential services like firefighting efforts. Expansion of the water and wastewater services into the Mount Pleasant area will support development of more than 60 hectares of land. 

“Queens in an attractive community in which to live.  Our population has been growing in the past several years and our housing stock is very low. Council supports expanding water and wastewater for housing that also benefits our community’s prosperity.  Businesses, agencies, service providers, industries, to name a few, require customers and workers and these people require homes,” said Darlene Norman, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality. “This funding will allow us to move forward with much needed upgrades, while at the same time expanding the system to manage the growth we are experiencing.”

Municipalities provide important services to the community, and well-maintained infrastructure encourages development. Upgrades and expansion of Region of Queens Municipality’s water and sewer infrastructure creates the potential to increase the community’s prosperity through increased growth and attraction efforts. 

“Staff are exploring cost recovery methods to ensure the expansion efforts are borne in a fair way by developers and the Municipality,” said Mayor Norman.  “Growth benefits everyone, and we appreciate the support of the province in helping us to continue to grow and develop.”

Region of Queens Municipality applied for the Municipal Capital Growth Program to help advance the necessary work to upgrade the water and wastewater systems, which are over capacity knowing that to add users to the existing system would result in issues.  The funding support from the province enables the Municipality to do the required upgrades and well as to expand the system into the Mount Pleasant area where there is potential to build approximately 350 housing units to serve over 1,000 residents.  The Municipal Capital Growth Program which was announced in February was designed to respond to the infrastructure needs of municipalities and addresses critical issues like housing, climate change, accessibility and growth.

Click to watch the video of the announcement:
https://youtu.be/5JQApQuAo98

April 15, 2024; Liverpool, NS: The Honourable Kim Masland, Minister of Public Works and MLA for Queens made an announcement about a significant investment in upgrading and expanding Region of Queens Municipality’s Water and Waste Water systems. Click this link to read the media release from the Province:
https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/04/15/water-wastewater-upgrades-queens-county

You can also watch the video online on our Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/5JQApQuAo98

In observance of April being Autism Acceptance Month, the Autism Nova Scotia flag will be flown on the Special Purpose Flagpole at Town Hall Arts & Cultural Centre, 219 Main St., Liverpool, NS from April 2 – April 8, 2024.

As well, April is World Autism Month, and World Autism Awareness Day is April 2. In Nova Scotia, there are over 20,000 individuals living on the spectrum.

Autism Nova Scotia has 11 Chapters throughout the province (including the South Shore Chapter), and offers vital supports and services to the autism community to build understanding, acceptance, and inclusion through leadership, advocacy, education, training, and programming.

Learn more at www.autismnovascotia.ca .

Council has started its budget discussions for the 2024 – 2025 fiscal year. Residents are invited to attend to learn about the budget process, and where Council is considering making investments in the coming year.

The first budget meeting identifies budget priorities during a budget overview presented by staff, with two additional meeting (and possible subsequent meetings) required for Council to finalize the draft budget.

Tuesday April 9, 9 am – 12 noon
Staff present draft budget to Council
Thursday, April 11, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Discussion of preliminary draft
Tuesday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Discussion of preliminary draft
Tuesday, April 23, 6:00 pm
Vote on the final Budget
(tentative date)

The meetings will be held in the Council Chamber, Region of Queens Administration Building, 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, NS. All are welcome to attend.

Please note the following holiday closures.  

Region of Queens Municipality’s Administration Offices & Municipal Solid Waste Facility: 

CLOSED on March 29 & April 1 for the Good Friday and Easter Monday holidays.

The Municipal Solid Waste Facility will be open regular hours on Saturday, March 30, 8 am – 2 p.m. Waste collection will take place as scheduled on both holidays.

Queens Place Emera Centre: CLOSED on March 29 for the Good Friday holiday. Queens Place Emera Centre will be open regular hours over the weekend, March 30 – April 1.

REGION OF QUEENS MUNICIPALITY

NOTICE OF PASSING

IN THE MATTER OF the MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ACT being Chapter 18 of the Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1998.

TAKE NOTICE THAT on March 12, 2024, Council of Region of Queens Municipality approved an administrative policy regarding entering into a development agreement with Mersey River Wind Inc. to allow for the establishment of a 33 turbine generator wind farm development on portions of properties identified as PID #’s 70247176, 70247192, 70247184, 70247200, 70264213, 70225420, 70225404, 70247218, 70247168, 70032982, 70260575, 70248695 and 70166988.

An aggrieved person may appeal the decision of Council, within fourteen (14) days of the publication of this notice, to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

Date:  March 12, 2024                                   

Mike MacLeod, Director of Planning and Development

There will be a Special meeting of Region of Queens Council held on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the Region’s Council Chambers, 249 White Point Road, Liverpool.  The purpose of this meeting is to deal with two In-Camera – Contract Negotiations items.

An agenda is posted on this website.