Temporary Closure: Spraypad at Etli Milita’mk Universally Designed Play Park

*** UPDATE***
June 24, 2025: Municipal staff have checked the buttons that activate the water in the spraypad, and have ordered parts to replace those that are damaged. All was functioning properly last week when it opened, and this repair was unexpected. When the spraypad is operational again, we will post an update.

We apologise for the inconvenience, and will continue to try to get it operational as soon as possible.

June 24, 2025; 11:50 a.m.:  Municipal staff will be on site at the spraypad at Etli Milita’mk Universallly Designed Play Park on the grounds of Queens Place Emera Centre, in Brooklyn, early this afternoon to follow up on a report that the buttons to turn the water on at the spraypad are not working. 

We apologise for the inconvenience, and will work to have the issue resolved as quickly as possible.
An update will be posted when all is working as usual.

Public Notice: Delayed Opening for North Queens Aquatic Centre

July 7, 2025: The North Queens Aquatic Centre will be not open today (Monday, July 7, 2025) as planned, due to unexpected equipment failure.  Municipal staff are investigating the issue and will work to have the issue resolved as soon as possible.

Those registered for swimming lessons have been contacted. Recreational swim is also cancelled.

An update will be posted on Region of Queens Municipality’s website and Facebook page when the pool is ready to open.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

June 26, 2025; Liverpool, NS: At the June 24, 2025 Region of Queens Municipality’s Regular Council meeting, Council approved a motion to submit an application to Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board (NSRAB) for an increase to water rates, to be implemented over three years. The increases will bring the water rates from what have been the lowest in the province to being in line with the rates in other Municipalities operating water utilities. Region of Queens Water Utility is currently operating in a deficit position and will continue to do so until revenues are increased to compensate for increases in costs.

“The increase in water rate is reflective of the actual costs of running an aging water utility, and will take the utility from operating at a substantial loss each year, to being able to sustain itself,” said Scott Christian, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality. “Council is supportive of planning for the future of Queens County residents, and feel it is important to be able to continue to provide reliable, safe, potable water for the health and wellbeing of our residents.”

The proposed increases to rates for water utility users have the largest increases in the initial year, at an average increase of 106% per household. This will bring revenues in line with costs immediately. In the following years, the increase will be 3.8% in year two and 2.7% in year three. These increases are subject to the approval of the NSRAB. Independent consultants were hired to prepare the rate study application to submit to the NSRAB. G.A. Eisnor Consulting Limited and Blaine S Rooney Consulting Limited calculated the rates based on current consumption levels and operating expenses.

Rate setting is a public process and the rate hearing will provide an opportunity for public input on the proposed rates. Members of the public must register to speak at the hearing. Information regarding registration will be included on the public notice of hearing. Rate hearing information will be advertised by the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board, and that information will be posted on the Region of Queens Municipality’s website and social media channels to increase public awareness and engagement in the process. Copies of the proposed rate study will be available at the Municipal Administration Building.

In anticipation of water rate increases, Region of Queens Municipality’s Council included $15,000 in the 2025 – 2026 Operational Budget to establish a subsidy program to provide financial support to low-income Utility customers. The subsidy program is currently being developed, and will be available when/if the increases take effect. It is expected that it will be several months before the NSRAB makes their decision on the water rate increase application.

Region of Queens Water Utility is operated by the municipality, and services properties in both Liverpool and Brooklyn. This water system is operated as a stand-alone, independently funded water utility which sees the users of the system paying the full cost of its operation and services, and these costs are not normally subsidized by the general tax rate. The NSRAB regulates the operation of all public water utilities in Nova Scotia and any changes to rates, charges or operating policies requiring Board approval. The Board also must approve any capital projects over $250,000 before projects may start. Over the last several years, Region of Queens Water Utility has faced challenges operationally with staffing, and with significant damage to the treatment plant during a severe thunderstorm in July 2023 that destroyed a large amount of sensitive and expensive instrumentation and equipment at the site. These challenges have required the Utility fund the cost of instrumentation and equipment replacement that were not covered by insurance, as well as engage a consultant to assume the regulated responsibility of ‘Overall Direct Responsible Charge’ to maintain operational compliance.

CLICK HERE to read the Water Rate Study.

CLICK HERE for a sheet of Frequently Asked Questions.

Queens Splashpad has opened for the season at 34 Old Cobbs Barn Road, Liverpool; as well as the Beach Meadows Beach Showers at 48 Beach Meadows Beach Road, Beach Meadows.

May 29, 2025: Municipal crews have begun work to construct 6 picnic shelters at Beach Meadows Beach for public use.  During construction there may be temporary limited access in the area of work.

We ask that all visitors be mindful of construction personnel and signage in the area.

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Cowie Well, 733 Main Street, Liverpool will be closed for routine maintenance on Friday, May 30, 2025 from 10 am until maintenance is completed (approximately 2 pm).

Update:  Thursday, May 28, 2025: Municipal crews have completed maintenance on the water distribution system to repair a water leak on a portion of the water transmission main.

Update:  Tuesday, May 27, 2025: Municipal crews are continuing to conduct maintenance on the water distribution system to repair a water leak on a portion of water transmission main, this work will continue to Wednesday, May 28, 2025.  This repair may impact all customers of the water distribution system.

Every effort will be made to mitigate water service disruption to water utility customers.  As work progresses on the repair, updates will be made.

—

Monday, May 26, 2025:  Municipal crews will be conducting maintenance on the water distribution system to repair a water leak on a portion of water transmission main on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, which may impact all customers of the water distribution system.

Every effort will be made to mitigate water service disruption to water utility customers.  As work progresses on the repair, updates will be made.

Friday, May 23, 2025

Curbside collection scheduled today, Friday, May 23^rd, 2025 may be delayed for some residents in Brooklyn and Beach Meadows, Queens County.  If collection has not been made at your location by 7 pm Friday, May 23^rd, 2025, it will be completed on Saturday, May 24^th, 2025.  If this is the case, please have waste curbside by 8 am.

May 13, 2025; Liverpool, NS: Region of Queens Municipality has hired a Director of People and Culture. Holly McConnell will join the Municipality on May 26, 2025, in the newly established human resources position.
“Holly’s experience in leading workplace teams through periods of transition was recognized as a significant asset in the recruitment process, and she is someone with a genuine warmth and caring for the well-being of staff,” said Dan McDougall, Interim Chief Administrative Officer at Region of Queens Municipality. “Her background of 16 years in corporate human resources management has given her significant experience and skill in employee relations and workforce engagement.”

With nearly 130 full time and part time employees, recently, it was identified that employee engagement and retention would benefit from a full-time human resources position, a new position for Region of Queens Municipality. The Municipality has employees in a number of different worksites providing services and programs, with union and nonunion positions. Among the worksites and varied responsibility areas include the Municipal Administration Building, Department of Infrastructure’s Public Works sites, South Queens Water Treatment Facility, Queens Place Emera Centre, and Hillsview Acres Home for Special Care.

“The position is called Director of People and Culture to reflect our administration and Council’s commitment to an uplifting work environment that embodies inclusion, safety, and mutual respect,” said McDougall. “Holly is proficient in these areas, and will focus on strengthening employee engagement by way of leadership development, human resource planning, and recruitment and retention plans.”

McConnell was born in Liverpool, and has spent most of her life in Queens County. Her related experience includes 16 years of senior leadership and management roles in human resources positions. She is a graduate of the Institute of Professional Management (IPM) and has a Canadian Management Professional (CMP) designation.

“I am very much looking forward to beginning this new Director of People & Culture role with the Region of Queens Municipality and am proud of my ability to partner with people offering support to assist with individual, departmental and organizational goals. My specialty is employee relations; I derive great satisfaction helping people successfully grow in their roles and always work towards those ‘win-win-win’ situations to help drive a positive work culture,” said McConnell.

Update Tuesday, May 13, 2025; 8:45 am

The Queens Place Walking Trail will be closed to the public from Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to Thursday, May 22, 2025, to accommodate the installation of underground communication and power lines to the new Long Term Care Facility, Queens Home for Special Care.

—

Update Monday, May 5, 2025; 3:50 pm

The Queens Place Walking Trail will be closed to the public from Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to Saturday, May 17, 2025, to accommodate the installation of underground communication and power lines to the new Long Term Care Facility, Queens Home for Special Care.

—

Monday, May 5, 2025

The Queens Place Walking Trail will be closed to the public from Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to Thursday, May 15, 2025, to accommodate the installation of underground communication and power lines to the new Long Term Care Facility, Queens Home for Special Care.

May 12, 2025: Please note that the Hillsview Acres Home for Special Care has been declared officially out of the outbreak of April 30. No further masking required.

Just a gentle reminder: if anyone is exhibiting cold/flu symptoms or feeling unwell to delay visiting until feeling better.

April 30, 2025:  Hillsview Acres Home for Special Care currently has a respiratory virus outbreak.  The home will be closed to non-essential visitors until the outbreak is declared over by Nova Scotia Public Health.  When Hillsview Acres Home for Special Care has been cleared to re-open, there will be a post made on the Region of Queens website and social media pages.

We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.

May 6, 2025; Liverpool, NS: Region of Queens Municipality’s Council has hired a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). At the Special Council meeting held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Council unanimously approved the appointment of Willa Thorpe as its new CAO, effective June 16, 2025.

“Willa rose to the top of a highly competitive field of candidates due to her specialized expertise in leading a high functioning organization. She is well equipped to be our CAO, with progressive accumulated experience as a leader in various organizations, and in the volunteer and public sectors, much of which is in Municipal government,” said Scott Christian, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. “The obvious next step in her career is to be a CAO; our Council is confident Willa is the staff leader we need to guide the Municipality to be a progressive community that Council, staff, and the whole community can be proud of. She will support our organization to provide the level of service to our residents that they deserve.”

Highlights of Thorpe’s related experience include 20 years of senior leadership experience, over 10 of those years in local government, most recently as the Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture at the City of Port Alberni, BC. She has a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, as well as a Masters in Leadership, a Bachelor of Kinesiology and Health Studies degree, and a Board Certified Coach designation. 

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Region of Queens Municipality and can’t wait to get started working alongside staff and Council to progress the municipality’s strategic goals and objectives,” said Thorpe. “As a long-time resident of small waterfront cities, I’m excited to settle into Queens County and immerse myself in the community.”

Mayor Christian and Region of Queens Municipality’s Council members are excited to welcome their new CAO, with Christian saying that, “Willa demonstrated throughout the selection process that she will not only be a strong leader for the staff, and a valuable support for Council, but she is also committed to being “in” the community by getting involved, engaged, and living here in Queens.  Willa is an active volunteer, a coach, an engaged community member, and values giving back to her community.  Council is proud to have her join Region of Queens Municipality.”

Since January 2025, the CAO position has been held by Interim CAO Dan MacDougall, who was contracted to assist Region of Queens Municipality’s Council with the operations of the municipality as well as to assist in the search for a new CAO.  

“While we are excited to have Willa joining the team, I would be remiss to not take this opportunity to also note Council’s gratitude to Interim CAO Dan McDougall.  Dan’s experience, breadth of municipal knowledge and strong leadership skills have moved Council’s goals forward, he has been a positive support for municipal staff over the past few months.  The best interests of the Municipality and our residents have been his priority. Thank you, Dan,” said Mayor Christian.

Thorpe will serve as Region of Queens Municipality’s sixth permanent CAO since amalgamation 29 years ago.