Media Releases
April 28, 2025 Amherst Town Council – Meeting Highlights
- Details
In preparation for the Province of Nova Scotia’s annual celebration of volunteers nominated by organizations and communities, Council nominated Dale Fawthrop as Amherst’s Volunteer of the Year and Leah Brunt as Youth Volunteer of the Year.
In January of 2025, the Town made a public call for nominations of volunteers who deserve special recognition, resulting in 53 applications. All nominated individuals will be recognized in person at the Amherst Volunteer Reception on May 6, 2025.
Operating and Capital Budgets Approved
Amherst Town Council passed a motion on Monday night approving a 2025-2026 General Operating Budget for the Town of $23,502,455, and a Water and General Capital Budget of $6,557,564. A separate media release will be issued in the near future providing more detail on the 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budgets.
Three Development Agreements
112 West Victoria Street – Council gave First Reading of the development agreement for 112 West Victoria Street to permit the construction of two 16-unit and three 8-unit apartment buildings. A public hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in Town Hall council chambers.
3 Robie Street – On Monday night, Council gave Second Reading of the development agreement for 3 Robie Street, to permit the conversion of an existing community hall into an 8-unit apartment building.
91 Rupert Street – Council gave Second Reading of the development agreement for 91 Rupert Street, to permit the construction of an 18-unit apartment building.
For more information on the Town of Amherst’s six-step development agreement process, please visit the Development Applications page of our website.
Man in Custody after Pursuit and Facing Numerous Charges
- Details
Amherst Police Department
A 31-year-old New Brunswick man is in custody following an incident over the weekend where the male allegedly fled from Police in a stolen vehicle.
Normand Gautreau, aged 31, was arrested on the evening of Sunday April 20th, 2025 after he allegedly fled from police and was forced off the road.
Prior to the incident on Sunday, a warrant of arrest had been issued for Gautreau in relation to an incident that happened in Amherst on March 30th, 2025 shortly after 2:00am. Amherst Police had located an occupied parked vehicle in the industrial park and took measures to box the vehicle in using 3 police vehicles. The driver, who appeared to be sleeping awoke and rammed two police cars and was able to push the vehicles enough to escape, fleeing at a high rate of speed. One of the officers, who had approached the driver’s side windows, was able to identify the driver. The vehicle had been reported stolen from Dieppe NB on March 23, 2025. Gautreau is facing numerous charges from this incident that include:
- Section 320.13(1) CC – Dangerous Driving
- Section 320.17 CC – Fleeing Police
- Section 320.18(1)(a) CC – Driving While Prohibite
- Section 430(4) CC – Damage to Property over $5000
- Section 430(4) CC – Damage to Property over $5000
- Section 320.16(1) CC – Fail to Stop at Accident
- Section 267(a) CC – Assault with a Weapon x 2
- Section 129(a) CC – Resist Arrest
- Section 354(1)(a) CC – Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Exceeding $5000
Men Arrested and Charged with Break, Enter and Theft
- Details
Amherst Police Department
Two men have been arrested and charged in relation to an early morning break and enter into a building in the Amherst Industrial Park.
Christopher Lee Glennie, aged 48 and Jason Edward Glennie, aged 52, both of River Hebert, NS have been charged with:
- Break and Enter
- Theft under $5000
At approximately 4:00am on Thursday April 10th, 2025, an Amherst Police Officer observed a vehicle in a parking lot of a local business that was closed. The vehicle was occupied by a lone male. The officer checked the occupant of the vehicle while other members attended and checked an adjacent property and located a second vehicle that was occupied by a lone male. The second vehicle had numerous items that had allegedly been taken from inside the building that it was parked behind. Both men were arrested and both vehicles were seized.
The matter is still under investigation by the Amherst Police Department and the accused parties were held in custody for a brief court appearance on April 10th, 2025. Both men were released by the courts and are scheduled to appear in court again on May 12th, 2025.
The Amherst Police Department often relies on assistance from the public in regards to matters that impact community safety and well-being. Anyone with information related to this or other incidents is asked to contact the Amherst Police Department at 667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
APD Media Contact:
Cpl. Tom Wood
902-667-8600
March 24, 2025 Amherst Town Council – Meeting Highlights
- Details
During Monday night’s regular meeting of Amherst Town Council, a motion was passed approving a new Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) Strategic Plan. This new plan combines Amherst’s previous Accessibility Strategic Plan and the previous Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan into one new document, and is the result of diligent research and stakeholder input.
The former two separate plans were required to be updated, approved by Council, and forwarded to the Province by April 1, 2025, which led to the decision to produce the new combined AIDE plan.
Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee (AIDE) Terms of Reference
Through the process of combining the Accessibility Strategic Plan and the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan, it was learned that these same Town committees could also be combined, continuing to advise Council as before. As part of this process, the Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee was dissolved through a motion from Council. Old Terms of Reference were repealed and, on Monday night, new Terms of Reference for the AIDE Committee were approved by Council, thereby allowing for more collaboration amongst committee members and discussion on a broader range of topics for underserved and underrepresented groups.
Themed Crosswalks Policy
Through collaborative work with community allies, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and the development of the new combined AIDE Strategic Plan, staff have proposed the addition of new themed crosswalks representing African Nova Scotians and Indigenous partnerships – to complement the existing three Veteran themed crosswalks and the Pride crosswalk. These new crosswalks and the Town’s new Themed Crosswalk Policy were all approved by Council.
Fireworks
Council approved a motion allocating $20,000 in the 2025/26 operating budget for fireworks – $10,000 for Canada Day fireworks to be held at the Robb Complex, and $10,000 for New Year’s Eve fireworks to be held at the Amherst Stadium.
New security measures in place at Amherst Stadium for Ramblers playoff games
- Details
The Town of Amherst is thrilled that our Amherst Jr. A Ramblers will be proceeding to the divisional semi-finals for the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Many others are just as excited, so new security measures have been implemented to ensure a positive experience for all attending hockey games at the Amherst Stadium.
With game one of the semi-finals set for this Saturday, March 15, starting at 7 p.m. in Amherst, we want everyone to be familiar with these regulations as they prepare to attend live games:
- Doors open one hour before game time;
- No backpacks allowed in the facility;
- Smaller bags may be checked at the door;
- No external beverage cups allowed in the facility (Yetis, Stanleys, etc.);
- The north side stairwell will only be accessible in case of emergency (Stairwell beside the opposing team’s dressing room);
- Foul language will not be tolerated, subject to ejection from the facility.
Officer Suspension
- Details
Amherst Police Department
Earlier today the Amherst Police Department was advised that formal charges had been laid against one of their members by the Cumberland RCMP.
Based upon those charges, the member was later served with a Notice of Allegations under the Police Act of Nova Scotia by the Amherst Police Department. Sergeant Christopher Jobe has been suspended indefinitely under Section 63 of the Police Act Regulations.
The Officer has not been on active duty or at work for the past several months.
At this time the Police Act investigation is suspended until the criminal matters are resolved.
Jobe is scheduled to appear in Amherst Provincial Court on April 14.
Direct enquiries to:
Sean Payne
Corporate Communications Officer
902-694-6265
Rob Small
Mayor
902-694-0014
