SEPTEMBER 2026 - ISSUE # 346 – BACK TO SCHOOL
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL
I like to welcome all students back to school. Your education is important for you to succeed in life. All motorists need to be extra careful with students walking, cycling, commuting, or travelling by school bus.
SOLAR FARM SURVEY – SEPT. 4TH
HRM is asking for feedback on proposed changes to planning policies and land use by-laws that would help enable and regulate large-scale solar farms across the region. Solar farms are a large collection of solar panels that contribute clean energy to the grid. This large-scale energy system is different from solar panels installed on homes or businesses and requires different planning rules. The municipality is seeking public input on where solar farms may be permitted, including appropriate locations and considerations for communities. The survey is open and will remain available until Friday, Sept. 4th. To learn more information and to complete the survey: https://engagehalifax.ca/regional-plan/solar-farms
HSW MOBILE DEPOT – SEPT. 5TH
There will be a Household Special Waste (HSW) mobile depot at the Eastern Shore Community Centre / Rink parking lot on Saturday, Sept.5th, at 67 Park Road in Musquodoboit Harbour. It will be open from 9 AM – 4 PM – Rain or Shine! These mobile depots are operated by a certified contractor and accepts chemical waste generated in your home. To find out what types of materials they will accept can be found at:
46th ANNUAL TERRY FOX RUN
Back in 1980, Terry Fox took his Marathon of Hope through our Eastern Shore communities along Highway #7. Now we can keep his dream alive that cancer can be beaten. There will be Terry Fox Runs on Sunday, Sept.20th in Lake Echo, Musquodoboit Harbour and Sheet Harbour. Find a Run near you and register at:
www.run.terryfox.ca or www.terryfox.org If you can’t make it to a run, please sponsor someone who will be participating. Or you can text “terryfox” to 45678 to donate $5, $10, $25 or $45 that will be added to your phone bill. @terryfoxfoundation #terryfoxrun.
TREE DAY & FOREST WEEK
Tree Canada is encouraging Canadians to come together in appreciation of trees, their natural beauty, and the many benefits they provide. National Tree Day is Wed. Sept.23rd and National Forest Week is Sept. 21st - 27th. You are invited to learn more about Canada’s forest heritage and to raise awareness about this valuable and renewable resource. Forest are fundamental to our economy, culture, traditions, history and of course our future! Find out more information at www.cif-ifc.org and www.treecanada.ca
PVSC PROPERTY INSPECTIONS
Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) Assessors are especially busy this time of year, conducting property inspections across Nova Scotia. They are reviewing building permit progress and gathering up-to-date information as part of their annual property assessment process. This is routine work and mandated under the NS Assessment Act. Gathering assessment data occurs year-round, with greater frequency during the fall season, and assists in determining a property’s overall market value. Property values are influenced by many factors, including property type and size, location, land features, and building size, style, construction and age. For your safety and peace of mind, Assessors are easy to identify with PVSC-marked vehicles, PVSC-issued ID, and high-visibility vests. You don’t need to be home for these visits. The Assessor will leave contact information and next steps if a ‘follow-up’ is needed. To learn more about property inspections, visit their website: www.pvsc.ca and watch their short YouTube video.
AT EDUCATION & PROMO GRANTS
The Fall-Winter Proposals Intake for the HRM Active Transportation Education and Promotion Grant Program is open for new proposals. It is intended to support projects that aim to increase the number of people walking, bicycling, and rolling and improving the safety of people using these modes.
AT Projects may include:
• Safety and skills training programs
• Promotions and marketing programs
• Education and engagement
•Transportation Demand Management projects that focus on AT
• AT related events
• AT Etiquette and stewardship programs
There are three types of projects:
• Small Community project (or event) in one or more communities can get up to $1,000:
• Large Community project (or event) can receive a grant of up to $5,000
• Major project/program (cannot be a one-time event) with significant logistics and partners could receive a grant over $5,000
To access the Grant application and other info about this grant, please follow the link to the Active Transportation Education and Promotion application form:
The deadline is September 15th, for projects starting not earlier than October 15th, 2026 and ending on or before March 1st, 2027. For more information, please contact: Emma Martin, HRM AT Community Projects Coordinator ATGrants@halifax.ca or call 902-499-6742
ROSS ROAD REALIGNMENT
The municipality will soon be putting out a tender call for the construction of the Ross Road / Lake Major Road / Main Street – Hwy #7 realignment project. It is anticipated that initial construction of the new road alignment will occur during this 2026/27 Autumn and Winter construction year. And the roundabout will follow in the 2027 Spring and Summer construction season. There is a very detailed information page on the HRM website about this particular project:
District 4 Councillor Purdy and I discussed with HRM Public Works and Planning staff about the various aspects and options for doing this realignment: Traffic Lights vs Roundabout. We decided to go with the best technical option that made for the safest conditions overall to regulate traffic flow and to reduce speed. We also chose not to conduct any public consultation processes because we anticipated there would be very wide and diverse options on either option. The public discourse on the various Facebook pages and social media has proven that to be the case. More details about the successful bidder and construction timelines will be forthcoming after the tender is awarded.
PIM – WEST PETPESWICK
There will be a Public Open House / Public Information Meeting (PIM) for a planning application PLANAPP: 2025-01722 from Zzap Consulting Inc., on behalf of the property owner, requesting to enter into a Development Agreement for a 100-unit townhouse development on a 44 acre parcel off West Petpeswick Road, in West Petpeswick (PID 00334953). The website with all the documentation for this proposal can be found at:
This meeting will be held at the Eastern Shore Community Centre / the Rink in the Multipurpose Room on Monday, Oct.5th from 5:30-8:30 PM.
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the NS Department of Natural Resources, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Services, Sheet Harbour Ground Search & Rescue, the Canadian Red Cross and all the volunteers and employees that were involved for their tireless dedication to containing the Mooseland Road wildfire. A special thank you to St. Barbara’s / Atlantic Gold for the use of their Administration Office at the Moose River / Touquoy Mine site as an Incident Command Centre.
Wildfire season isn’t over yet and it’s important to remember to stay prepared. You are encouraged to stay informed about emergency preparedness, register for hfxALERT and continue to champion safety within our communities.
https://www.halifax.ca/safety-security/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness
SUMMER 2026 ‘HALIFACT’ ISSUE#8
The latest HalifACT community update – Issue #8 Summer 2026 - provides a snapshot of the municipality's ongoing efforts to advance the goals set out in HRM’s long-term climate action plan. Commitment to climate action means continuing to adapt and prepare for the impacts of climate change while protecting the natural environment and looking for ways to enhance resiliency through green energy. HalifACT is already taking action by transitioning to electric buses and fleet vehicles, retrofitting municipal buildings for energy efficiency and investing in emergency preparedness, storm water protection and food security. Read the Summer 2026 HalifACT Community Update to learn more about how the municipality is working toward a healthier, more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
https://www.halifact.ca/pages/community-update
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