Public Notices & News

Pictou Water Rate Study - Updated Draft

A presentation was made to Council on the Water Rate Study prepared by Gerry Isenor Consulting Ltd and Blaine Ruddy Consulting Ltd.

Points made during the presentation were:

• NS Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) require a balanced budget (no profit)
•The Town charges a Hydrant Rental fee to the property owner, who (Town) then pays the Water Utility for Fire Protection
• The study projected expenses for the Water Utility over the next 3 years using 3% inflation, with the exception of Nova Scotia Power where rates are known
• Assumed $600,000 annual capital investment and current debt figures
• New rates will run between $165-$178 per quarter, which are slightly above provincial average
• All other municipalities in the province are undergoing water rate studies

  pdf View the Pictou Water Rate Study here (442 KB) .

Notice of Public Hearing Water Utility

The Town of Pictou, on behalf of its WATER UTILITY has applied for approval of amendments to its Schedule of Rates and Charges for Water and Water Services and amendments to its Schedule of Rules and Regulations.  The Hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 10 10:30 am in Council Chambers 71 Front St Pictou.  Board Hearings are open to the public and you may participate as follows:

You may speak at the hearing.  You must notify the Board by Wednesday, April 3.
You may make written comments by sending a letter to the Clerk of the Board at PO Box 1692, Unit "M", Halifax NS B3J 3S3 or by email at board@novascotia.ca or by fax at (902) 424-3919 by April 3.     



NOTICE: Fire Dispatch Service Change - Residents & Business

Municipality of the County of Pictou
Department of Emergency Service

NOTICE: FIRE DISPATCH SERVICE CHANGE

Dear Residents of the Municipality of Pictou County, Towns of Pictou, Trenton, Westville, and Stellarton (Excluding the Town of New Glasgow)

We would like to inform you that most of the counties’ fire services have recently transitioned to a new dispatch provider. The new provider is Valley Communications, located at 217 Belcher Street, Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 1E2, Canada.

If you have alarm monitoring on your properties or businesses within any of the fire department districts listed below, we kindly request you to contact your alarm monitoring company at your earliest convenience to inform them of this change and ensure there are no delays in receiving a timely response from your local fire station.

Effected fire department coverage area:

Abercrombie Fire Department                       Linacy Fire Department
Alma Fire Department                                   Little Harbour Fire Department
Barney’s River Fire Department                    Merigomish Fire Department
Blue Mountain Fire Department                    Pictou Fire Department
Caribou Fire Department                               Pictou Landing Fire Department
East River Valley Fire Department                Plymouth Fire Department
Eureka Fire Department                                River John Fire Department
Scotsburn Fire Department                           Trenton Fire Department
Thorburn Fire Department                            Westville Fire Department
West River Fire Department                         Stellarton Fire Department
Pictou Island Fire Department

We are asking residents to ensure this change has been made by the end of January.  Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this change, please feel free to contact Evan Hale, Director of Emergency Services with the Municipality of Pictou County. You can contact Evan at Evan.Hale@munpict.ca or by phone at 902-485-2242.

We appreciate your cooperation in this matter and thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,
Evan Hale
Director, Department of Emergency Services
Municipality of Pictou County

Canadian Coast Guard - Seasonal Housing in Pictou

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) hires and trains candidates each summer to become members of an Inshore Rescue Boat crew. Each summer, the CCG provides seasonal accommodations for Inshore Rescue Boat crews. They are currently looking for seasonal rental lodging in Pictou, Nova Scotia, to house their seasonal student crew from May to mid-September, 2024.

The following link details all the information : Seasonal housing needs for Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic Region (ccg-gcc.gc.ca)

Seniors/Long-term CARE-Seniors Care Grant Opening for Applications

Starting Friday, September 1, seniors can apply to the annual Seniors Care Grant program, which helps with expenses that allow them to stay in their homes longer and improve their quality of life.

The grant has been increased to $750 and now includes home heating as an eligible service. To qualify, Nova Scotians must be 65 years or older by March 31, 2024, live in a home they own or rent, and have an annual household income of $37,500 or less.

"We heard from many seniors that last year's home heating grant made a big difference," said Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care. "We know that the cost of home heating can be hard, especially for seniors, many of whom are on fixed incomes, so we've increased the grant and included home heating as an eligible expense, allowing seniors more flexibility to use the grant in whichever way best suits their needs."

The grant helps seniors cover the costs of a range of healthcare and household services, including physiotherapy, medication and grocery delivery, phone services and home repairs. The grant may also be used for home heating costs, such as furnace oil, natural gas and electricity. More information about the grant, including how to apply, who is eligible and eligible services is available:
-- at the program website: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-help-household-costs-seniors-care-grant
-- by email: seniorsgrant@novascotia.ca
-- by phone: 1-800-670-4357.

Print applications are available at Access Nova Scotia Centres and MLA offices.

Another change this year is direct deposit for seniors who are signed up for direct deposit with the Canada Revenue Agency. All other eligible applicants will continue to receive their payment by cheque.

Seniors who previously opted in to receive the seniors care grant when applying for the property tax rebate for seniors will need to submit a separate application for the grant beginning this year.

Applications close on March 31.