Kathleen Rafuse

The council held a meeting where several items were addressed. These included the second and final reading of a paid parking bylaw, a budget increase request for the town hall roof replacement project to cover additional construction costs, and a discussion regarding municipal in-kind support for the Lunenburg daycare expansion project, specifically concerning electrical servicing requirements.

The council meeting addressed several key items, including the second and final reading of a Paid Parking By-law and a request for a $50,000 budget increase for the Town Hall Roof Replacement project. Additionally, the council discussed a proposal to waive Nova Scotia Power installation and site upgrade fees for the Lunenburg Day Care Centre expansion, and reviewed an expedited community grant allocation for a youth robotics team. The council also deliberated on the schedule for upcoming meetings, specifically regarding cancellations in June, and received updates on the municipal Motion Action List.

The council discussed the opera house project and necessary sidewalk alterations to improve accessibility. The RCMP provided quarterly reports for Q3 and Q4, detailing staffing updates, call volumes, and crime statistics, with a particular focus on the increase in well-being and mental health-related calls. Additionally, the council reviewed the department's enforcement initiatives, including strategies for addressing impaired driving, street crime, and off-road vehicle safety on trail systems, as well as school safety resource officer planning.

The council held a special meeting to discuss the electric utility capital budget and the town's membership in the Municipal Electric Utilities Association (MEUA). The discussion focused on a five-year capital expenditure plan, which includes critical upgrades to distribution feeders and the construction of a new substation on Green Street to improve grid reliability and capacity. Council members questioned the consultant regarding the location of the new substation, the necessity of land acquisition, environmental impact assessments, and technical acronyms used throughout the presentation.

The Council meeting involved discussions on several key items, including the approval of the 2026/27 Town General Operating Budget and the Tour and Horse-Drawn Vehicle By-law. Council members also addressed the Inclement Weather & Temporary Facility Closure Policy and approved the carryover of projects from the previous capital budget. Additionally, the agenda included a closed session for contract negotiations, and reports were provided by councillors on various community events and initiatives.