Jennifer Bickerton

The Municipal Planning Strategy for the Town of Amherst provides a comprehensive framework and policy guidance for managing future growth and development. Its vision is to create a healthy, prosperous, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable community. The plan focuses on strategic land use, efficient management of town services, cultivating vibrant commercial and industrial areas, preserving historical integrity, and promoting diverse housing options. It also emphasizes environmental protection, climate change adaptation, efficient transportation networks, and the enhancement of community infrastructure, public spaces, arts, culture, and heritage.

The agenda for the meeting covered several key items, including the Demographic Strategic Plan development which seeks to position Amherst as a hub for young professionals and families, and recommendations from the Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) Committee concerning feasibility investigations for all-gender washrooms and facility accessibility audits. Several Requests for Decision focused on the purchase and sale agreements for expanding the Industrial Park, involving parcels of land from Betty Roop, Cumberland Ridge Developments Incorporated, and Allan Doncaster, Linda Austin, and Larry Pederson. Additionally, the Council addressed a Community Support Grant application from the Nova Scotia Community College, which staff recommended against funding. Internal and External Committee Reports provided updates on the Amherst Board of Police Commissioners, Audit Committee activities, the Amherst Youth Town Council's recent engagements, YMCA activities, and the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program for waste management.

The council discussed the cancellation of the Fresh Start Spring event due to current restrictions and a state of emergency. They also considered waiving interest on outstanding tax and miscellaneous accounts for March, April, and May, and on water and sewer accounts for March, April, May, and June, to assist those financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the council addressed the 2020 capital paving program, approving a tender for the work.

The meeting addressed the amendment of the solid waste bylaw to allow for exporting solid waste out of the county, and an amendment to the vacation holiday policy for non-union employees to include the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a paid holiday.

The meeting addressed capital paving, discussing a motion to award the contract to Coston Paving and Contracting. Concerns were raised about the potential for reducing the price due to the drop in gasoline prices, but Coston Paving indicated they were not prepared to reduce the price. The capital paving program is funded from gas tax revenues. The committee also discussed monthly reports from corporate services, operations, police services, community well-being, fire services and planning and strategic initiatives.