Town News
Arrest Made in Break, Enter and Theft
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- Category: Media Releases
A 40-year-old male was arrested overnight in relation to a complaint from a local company regarding someone who had illegally accessed their property and stole a quantity of copper wire.
Bylaw Adoption - Road Trails Designation
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- Category: Public Notices
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A BY-LAW REGARDING ROAD TRAIL DESIGNATION
Notice is hereby given that Amherst Town Council intends to consider the adoption of a Road Trails Designation By-Law.
By-law Adoption - Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO)
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- Category: Public Notices
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A BY-LAW REGARDING REGIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (REMO)
Notice is hereby given that Amherst Town Council intends to consider the adoption of a Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) By-Law.
Wrongful Conviction Day
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- Category: Articles
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
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- Category: Public Notices
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 has been proclaimed as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Amherst. This is the day that commemorates and honours the children who never returned home, and acknowledges the resilience, dignity, and strength of survivors and intergenerational survivors, families, and communities.
Council urges Amherst residents to observe this day with reflection and action to build understanding of our shared history with Indigenous Peoples. By acknowledging the truths of our past, we strengthen our commitment to a future founded on respect, unity and understanding.
Find more information here on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Please Note: Town of Amherst facilities will be closed on September 30, in observation of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Regular operations will resume on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
September 28, 2026 Amherst Town Council Highlights
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- Category: Public Notices
Town Council held its regular September meeting on Monday night to address items including:
Amherst Youth Advisory Committee Appointments
The Amherst Youth Advisory Committee provides Council with a youth perspective, empowering young people to be active participants in the community. Council appointed 11 applicants to the AYTC: Emily Stonehouse; Abby Short; Callum Taylor; Lamya Saify; Ava Tooley; Kawthar Alchehade; Avery Hoeg-Burbine; Ava Crocker; Isla Crocker; Allison Jones; and, Hannah Brunt.
Stadium Canteen Concession Agreement
Council approved a one-year extension to the existing Stadium Canteen Concession Agreement and directed staff to issue an RFP for Canteen Services next fall, to be effective September 1, 2028.
Variance Appeal – 69 Lower Laplanche Street
The variance to reduce the minimum required lot area by 7.5% was upheld, permitting the construction of a nine-unit apartment building at 69 Lower Laplanche Street. Staff’s review concluded that the requested variance was reasonable, given parking and amenity space, area infrastructure, and ability to accommodate pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Regional Emergency Management Organization Bylaw and Agreement
First reading was given to a new bylaw developed and recommended by the Department of Emergency Management, with changes incorporated to fit the Town of Amherst. This will provide a framework for the creation of the Regional Emergency Management Organization, the Regional Emergency Management Advisory Committee, the Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee, the Regional Emergency Management Coordinator Position – and other important duties, protocols, agreements, and powers during an emergency. The Intermunicipal Service Agreement was also approved, outlining how the local Regional Emergency Management Organization will be run between the three participating municipal units.
2025/26 Audited Financial Statements and Appointment of Auditor
Recommendations of the Audit Committee were accepted, including that Town of Amherst Consolidated Financial Statements be approved for the year ended March 31, 2026 – which were audited by the firm McIsaac Darragh Inc. – and that the same firm be appointed as the municipal auditor for auditing services during the 2026/27 fiscal year.
Community Support Grant
To provide better comfort for museum visitors, the Cumberland County Museum and Archives has been provided with a Community Support Grant in the amount of $3,557 towards updating the heritage building’s heating and cooling systems.
Financial Transfers, Adjustments, and Amendments
- Year End Capital Financing Adjustment: Water operating capital from revenue was increased from $40,000 to $144,000 because of a surplus in the Water Operating Budget, which will allow funding of future projects from the Water Depreciation Fund.
- Year End Operating Reserve Transfer: A deficit in the Solid Wase Education department for the 2025/26 fiscal year will be covered by a transfer from the Operating Reserve to General Operating. Per the Intermunicipal Solid Waste Contract, Amherst will fund $16,881.14, with the remaining 62% of the deficit to be funded by the Town of Oxford and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland.
- Water Capital Budget Amendment: $30,100 in non-recoverable HST expenses for the North Tyndal Wellfield land trade with JDI will be covered by the Water Depreciation Fund.
- Capital Budget Amendment – Land Purchase: Capital Reserve funds totalling $87,000 will cover the purchase of land at 141/143 East Pleasant Street.
- Capital Budget Amendment – Library Heat Pump: Recent emergency repair work to the library’s geothermal heating and cooling system required an amendment to the 2026/27 capital budget in the amount of $15,000 – to be funded from the Operating Reserve.
- Capital Budget Amendment – Fire Truck: Significant engine repairs were completed on Engine 3 at a cost of $76,000, which will be funded from the Operating Reserve.
