Amherst Town Council held its regular June meeting on Monday night to address items including:
1 Albion Street Development Agreement
Council give First Reading of the development agreement for 1 Albion Street to permit the construction of a 36-unit residential development and scheduled a public hearing for July 8, 2026 at 5 p.m. This residential construction project is an initiative of the YMCA of Cumberland.
The development agreement contains terms and conditions intended to address the relevant policies of the Municipal Planning Strategy. This infill development addresses the high demand for affordable housing and would be located in a central location in the downtown core area.
Community Support Grants
Maggie’s Place will receive $2,500 to support their annual program of filling 350 good-quality backpacks with school supplies for students in Amherst and the wider Cumberland area.
The Amherst Black Education Committee will receive $1,500 (in-kind) for an outdoor water line installation to support their community garden.
Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum will receive $15,000 to assist with the museum’s relocation to 55 Victoria Street – a more updated and accessible space.
Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) Committee Motions
At the May 13, 2026 Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee meeting, the Committee passed two motions to be forwarded to council in consideration of accessibility
improvements at the Community Credit Union Business Centre. Council directed staff to carry out the accessibility improvements at the Community Credit Union Business Innovation Centre as recommended by the AIDE Committee that can be financially and operationally accommodated in the current fiscal year and provide a recommendation / plan for the remainder of the improvements in the 2027/28 operating and capital budget process.
Christie Foundation Donation
Council approved the request to receive a $45,377 donation from the Dr. & Mrs. H.E. Christie Community Foundation to fund $35,877 to the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Association, $5,000 to the Cumberland County Minor Baseball Association, and $4,500 to the Fibre Arts Society of Nova Scotia. Once this donation is received, the Town will issue donation acknowledgement letters and provide the grants as listed above.
Cumberland Regional Library Board Request for Additional Members
The Cumberland Regional Library Board is currently made up of five appointed members including Councillors from each of the municipalities of Cumberland, Amherst and Oxford, and two citizen members appointed by the Province of Nova Scotia. The Library Board is requesting the addition of three community representatives to be selected by the respective Councils in an effort to strengthen the library board’s connection to the community and aid them in making decisions that will benefit a larger sector of the population.
Council approved the request from the Cumberland Regional Library Board to change the composition of the Board as proposed. Agreement from all parties is required before the additional members would be sought.
Capital Budget Amendment – Fire Apparatus Engine 3 Repairs
Fire Engine 3 recently suffered a mechanical failure that required an immediate repair in order to ensure continued fire services coverage for the town. Council approved an amendment to the 2026/27 capital budget in the amount of $65,000 to repair fire apparatus Engine 3, to be funded from the operating reserve.
Accessible Playground Design Build Contract
The 2026/27 General Capital Budget included funding to construct a new inclusive and accessible playground at Beacon Street Park. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued seeking qualified proponents to deliver a complete design-build, turnkey solution. Council awarded RFP-26-03 for the Design Build of an Inclusive & Accessible Playground to Turf Masters Landscaping Ltd. in the amount of $999,800.00 plus applicable taxes, as the highest scoring proponent in accordance with the evaluation criteria set out in the RFP.
East Pleasant Street Property Purchase
At the June 15, 2026, Committee of the Whole, the CAO was given direction to submit an offer to purchase three properties at 141/143 East Pleasant Street, directly across from the location of the proposed new soccer track and field complex, which have been listed for sale. These properties could potentially be used as overflow “grass” parking for the soccer / track and field complex. Council authorized the purchase of 141/143 East Pleasant Street, subject to the conditions set out at the June 15, 2026, Committee of the Whole; and further authorize the CAO to sign the purchase and sale agreement on behalf of the Town.
Policies
- Amherst Youth Town Council Policy: Council approved amendments designed to re-align this group’s structure, purpose, and function with best practices in youth engagement and youth advisory governance.
- Flowers, Fruit Baskets and Memorial Donations Policy: Council approved amendments to this policy – examined as part of overall policy review – including increasing amounts and amending definition of “immediate family.”
- Vehicular Idling Control Policy: Council approved this policy’s amendments to improve clarity and better reflect current operations, environmental goals, and enforcement needs, while maintaining the original intent of the policy.
- Commercial Water Service Policy: As there is no longer a distinction between how residential and commercial water service installations are billed, this policy is no longer needed and Council approved this policy’s repeal.
Bylaws
- Road Trails Designation By-law: ATV tourism offers the potential to positively impact the economy of the town of Amherst. There are logistical issues to providing ATV access to the South Albion Street area at this time. Council gave first reading to the proposed Road Trails Designation By-law, which would designate Eddy Road as an ATV access trail from the town limit to a parking area located at 8 Eddy Street, to provide ATV users with access to the downtown area. This By-law does not impact any other street within the town of Amherst. A public consultation process will be developed to gain public input.
- Graffiti By-law: Council gave second reading to a new Graffiti By-law, thereby adopting prohibition of unapproved graffiti on structures, vegetation or property.
pdf Find the full June 22, 2026 agenda package here(208 KB) .
