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In a further effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, follow the advice of our provincial and federal governments, and protect employees and the general public, Amherst town hall will be closed to the public – effective immediately.
For the time being there will be a reduced staff presence in the building, with many employees working remotely. Customers with an urgent service need may call our reception line at 902-667-3352. Service requests will be evaluated and addressed in terms of priority and staff capacity. In some cases, an in-person appointment may be arranged.
Due concerns around COVID-19, the committee of the whole meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. today, March 16, 2020, will not be open to the public.
While the public cannot attend the meeting in the council chambers, they can view it via live-streaming at https://amherst.ca/live-streamed-meetings.html. Communications staff will also be live tweeting and posting to Facebook as the meeting progresses.
The members of council and staff in attendance will practice social distancing by ensuring that no one sits directly besides anyone else. As a result, those viewing the session will see that the seating varies from the normal configuration.
Staff members who are not absolutely required will be advised not to attend the session.
As the COVID-19 pandemic makes its way into the Maritimes, the Town of Amherst is updating plans to attempt to ensure the continuity of essential municipal services.
The Town is taking a number of measures to address the health and safety of the public and its employees.
“We are accepting the recommendation of the Province of Nova Scotia and requiring all of our employees who travel outside the country to self-isolate for 14 days on their return,” CAO Greg Herrett said. “Where it is practical, they will be required to work from home during self-isolation if they are not symptomatic.
The Municipality of Cumberland and the Town of Amherst have teamed up with the Clean Foundation to offer qualified homeowners low-interest financing for energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes.
The Property Assessed Clean Energy program administered by the Clean Foundation for the municipalities, starts with a home assessment to see if homeowners will save as much or even more in energy and heating expenses than the cost of the retrofits. Financing is available on a first come, first-serve basis, with each municipality committed to up to 10 homes per year.