Public Notices & News
New Mental Wellness & Early Intervention Program Announcement
- Details
- Published: Wednesday, 02 October 2024 15:26
We are excited to announce an amazing opportunity right here in Pictou County! Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health’s Families Overcoming Risks and Building Opportunities for Wellbeing (FORBOW) program has expanded its groundbreaking services to our community, thanks to generous funding from the Aberdeen Health Foundation.
Why This Matters: Mental illness, including bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia, can deeply impact lives, leading to challenges in health, education, and work. However, with early intervention, we can significantly alter these trajectories. The FORBOW study aims to break this cycle by offering early preventive interventions to youth with a history of mental illness in their families.
What FORBOW Offers:
- World-Class Expertise: Led by internationally renowned Dr. Rudolf Uher, our program brings cutting-edge research and evidence-based interventions directly to Pictou County.
- Local Access: Our new satellite location in New Glasgow ensures that families in our community can access this transformative program without the burden of travel.
- Support for 100 Families: We have space for 100 families to benefit from tailored support, with local staff.
- Peace of Mind: Dr. Uher emphasizes that with FORBOW, families don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Our study offers a comprehensive network of expertise to ensure early and effective intervention if needed.
Why Participate? By participating in the FORBOW study, you’re not only contributing to critical research but also accessing a program that aims to improve mental health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and foster better educational and work achievements for youth.
Get Involved: If you are a family with children aged 9-24 in Pictou County, especially those with a history of mental illness, we invite you to learn more about how you can participate.
Contact Us: To find out more about participating in the FORBOW study or to refer a family, please visit FORBOW.org/pictoucounty or email FORBOW Research Manager Jill Cumby directly at jill.cumby@nshealth.ca.
Press Release: Coastal Protection, Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrades for Pictou
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 20 August 2024 10:22
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS/HOUSING-- Coastal Protection, Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrades for Pictou
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The Town of Pictou is receiving investments from the province to provide better coastal protection and improve stormwater service.
“Pictou is an outstanding place to raise a family or own a business. To ensure it stays that way, the town needs the infrastructure in place that will help it thrive and grow,” said Marco MacLeod, MLA for Pictou West, on behalf of John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “These projects are important, and we’re thrilled to be working with the municipality to help make them happen.”
Caladh Avenue and the surrounding area will be reconstructed to elevate the road network and improve coastal protection.
The municipality will also be adding about 250 metres of new stormwater piping to the area surrounding Coleraine Street, for the collection of stormwater.
The Province and the municipality will each invest almost $2 million in the two projects.
The projects are part of the Municipal Capital Growth Program, a one-time $102-million investment in projects across Nova Scotia – a historic provincial investment in municipal infrastructure.
Quotes:
“‘The Town of Pictou is always pleased to partner with the Province on projects that improve the sustainability of our infrastructure while furthering our long-term plans for community growth. The separation of stormwater from our wastewater system will reduce sewage treatment costs while increasing our capacity to service commercial and housing growth. The re-engineering of Caladh Avenue will move us forward on our extensive Waterfront Plan while defending our downtown district from the coastal impacts of climate change. We thank the Government of Nova Scotia for its continued investment in our community.”
— Jim Ryan, Mayor, Town of Pictou
Quick Facts:
- the Municipal Capital Growth Program, announced in February, was designed to respond to the infrastructure needs of municipalities and addresses critical issues such as housing, climate change, accessibility and growth
Additional Resources:
News releases about the Municipal Capital Growth Program and projects are available at: https://news.novascotia.ca/search/all?field_topics=293
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Media Contact: Geoff Tobin
Cell: 902-225-5987
Email:
Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board - Approved new rates for Town of Pictou
- Details
- Published: Friday, 28 June 2024 14:43
NSUABR – Water Rate Decision
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) has approved new water rates that will be effective July 1, 2024:
For a 5/8” meter, residential customer, the average current quarterly water bill is $144.97, and it will increase to $163.54 (12.8% increase) in 2024/25; $177.07 (8.3% increase) in 2025/26; and $178.19 (0.6% increase) in 2026/27. The base charge is decreasing and the consumption charge is increasing. A full list of the rates is here.
How we got here:
The water utility had a $110k deficit during the year ending Mar 2023. Inflation had been higher than anticipated since the last rate study in 2021. As well, the construction costs to replace old water mains has increased significantly in the past year or two. The average age of the water mains is 70 to 80 years old, the utility is investing each year to replace sections of water mains that are failing and leaking.
The utility hired GA Isenor Consulting Ltd to conduct a water rate study that would determine what water rates would be needed to cover costs over the next 3 years. The rate study was presented to Council on Dec 4, 2023 and Council agreed to apply to the NSUARB for a rate increase.
The was a public hearing held in the Council chambers by the NSUARB on Apr 3rd. The hearing was advertised on the Town’s website, social media, and in the Pictou Advocate beginning January 2023 through to the public hearing this past spring. The NSUARB then reviewed all the evidence and determined that the rate increase was reasonable. Their decision was made on Jun 26th. The rates will be effective July 1st and customers will see the new rate on their bill issued in October.
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) has approved new water rates that will be effective July 1, 2024:
Pictou County Transit - New Service for Pictou beginning June 17
- Details
- Published: Friday, 14 June 2024 15:28
Pictou County Transit will be begin servicing the Town of Pictou on June 17th. There will be three designated bus stops within the Town of Pictou at the following locations:
1. Veterans Drive, beside Dollarama
2. Corner of Market Street and Water Street
3. Corner of Union and Denoon Street
Service runs 7:00am - 6:00pm, 4 trips per day. The cost is $3 single fare. $7.50 full day pass. Monthly passes $70/adults, $60/seniors and students, $40/youth (5–13). Children under 5 ride FREE.
For the full schedule visit pdf Pictou County Transit - Feeder Loop (132 KB)
For more details on Pictou County Transit visit their website at https://pctransit.ca/
