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“ “Keeping you informed about August/September 2021Keeping you informed about August/September 2021
your municipal government” your municipal government”
In the Municipality of the District of Chester this summer ...
We'll grant you that! Too good to waste! If you have a few minutes ...
Community investment Valuable information We are looking for public
in the form of grants. about waste collection opinion and feedback on
See Page 3. is found on Page 6. a project (Page 7).
The Municipality of Chester and Our Health
Centre (OHC) struck a lucrative partnership
just before COVID-19 hit Nova Scotia last year.
WHAT IN THE HEALTH? Partnership with Our Health Centre paying off for residents
The goal? Physician
attraction and retention. The
partnership - with funding
through Communities,
Culture and Heritage Nova
Scotia - is designed to
improve access to medical
services throughout the
Municipality - including
those at OHC, New Ross
Family Resource Centre,
and clinics operating out of
the Pharmasaves in Chester
and Hubbards - supporting
the quality of life and
economic development in
all of our communities.
The program positions
the Municipality as a wel-
coming community - a criti-
cal first step in an attraction
strategy. Facilitating net-
working opportunities with
local health professionals,
offering free tours around
the community, and inviting
these individuals to social events are some exam-
ples of activities that a community can do to make
health professionals feel welcome.
A key element of the program is an online pres-
ence that showcases the lifestyle and assets of the
Municipality. Local web developer, Picnic Studios,
created www.lovewhereuwork.com as a virtual
hello for prospective physicians. The website situ-
ates the Municipality of Chester as an ideal loca-
tion for working professionals by highlighting the
comfort and convenience of our close-knit, rural
community with its proximity to major centres,
healthcare, schools, childcare, and green spaces.
And of course our amenities, such as shops, res-
taurants, trails, cultural venues, and community
centres only add to the appeal.
The program is moving along nicely. As recent
as a couple weeks ago, an interested physician
joined municipal staff on a tour of the area. We
will keep you updated!
An equally important component of the pro-
gram is retention. We are greatly appreciative of
the services provided to our residents by the cur-
rent medical team (shown on the left).
To show that appreciation, OHC Executive Direc-
tor Lorraine Burch and Heather Hennigar, Com-
munity Economic Development Officer with MOC,
visited our local doctors to deliver a “thank-you”
gift box. The boxes were created in partnership
with Nova Box and include gifts from local busi-
nesses, such as a charcuterie board from Going
Coastal, chocolates from Julien’s Bakery, a glass
knife from Kiln Art, soap from Nancy’s Seaweed
Soaps, and kitchen towel from Far Far Away Shop.
HAULIN' GRASS & TAKING NAMES Community Garden expands in size and location this summer
Beds at the community garden located at
the Municipal Office in Chester are burst-
ing at the seams, thanks to the efforts of Grow-
ing Friends. The transition to all raised beds was
a raging success last year, and between Growing
Friends and past users, all of the beds were spo-
ken for. News of the success spread, and we quick-
ly discovered that the demand was greater than
could be accommodated for this year.
Council has always supported the community
garden (even in the more unsuccessful seasons),
and eight more raised beds were added. Now, the
community garden is evolving into what it was
meant to be: a community resource that provides
value to residents in terms of promoting food se-
curity and independence.
The goal for the garden has always been to pro-
vide food to those who need it. For the last 17
years, we have succeeded. Over the years, the
program has matured, and the scope has expand-
ed to provide more availability to MOC residents
in the immediate area as well as a component
that includes outlying areas with a focus on mo-
bility and food security needs.
This goal aligns with that of Growing Friends, an
off shoot of Musical Friends, in that it pairs seniors
and shut-in residents with volunteers to provide
a meaningful connection centering around food
stability. Part of the program is using the munici-
pal community garden beds to grow food (and
relationships). Growing Friends is taking it further
by offering workshops on food preparation, plans
for free and healthy meals, and food box delivery.
We took our show on the road this year, starting
a new project at Charing Cross Manor. Five acces-
sible beds (and a super-cute herb planter) were
installed on site - complete with soil, seeds, and
transplants. Residents will care for the plants and
share the harvest at the end of the season.
This project was a more permanent version of
our Porch Produce Program that delivers deck
containers already planted with a sampling of veg-
etables to residents who cannot have a garden of
their own or access a community garden. Inter-
est was piqued this year and all of the containers
were spoken for.
Thanks to Dawn Harwood-Jones for having a
warm heart and being an acute visionary, Julia
Creighton for adeptly putting wheels in motion,
Councillor Tina Connors for her ability to make
things happen in her community, all of our volun-
teer builders who took their time and perfection-
ism to make so many so happy: Grant Levy and
Angela Hiltz (New Ross beds), Peter Amiro and
Malcolm Callaway with Leo Blain and Trevor Mun-
ro (Chester beds), and New Ross Home Hardware
for their donations. A special thanks to all of our
"Garden Buddies" who regularly lend their skills
and time, and "Porch Pot Pals" Leo, Geraldine,
Jan, and Judy. Thanks also to the garden clean-up
crew, Gloria Graham, Cynthia Myers, and Lili Mc-
Curdy as well as Lisa Aiken for her expertise.
Clockwise, starting from
the left, OHC doctors:
Dr. Dickson, Dr. Lucas,
Dr. Hackshaw, and Dr.
McGuire.
COUNCIL & GOVERNANCEMessage from
the Warden
Good day.
With some luck and reasonable safety
practices, we appear to be getting back to
some degree of normality.
By the time you read this, Chester Race
Week will have started. You, hopefully,
have been able to see family and friends,
and had the opportunity to get out and
enjoy the community for the first time in
a long while.
We faced the challenges and are moving
forward thanks to all of you!
COVID hasn't been the only challenge
we have faced over the past few years.
Canada, as a whole, has recently had
to begin to deal with the mistakes we
have made in the past as a country. Our
community has faced, at a local level,
cultural diversity challenges that we must
address.
Council will be presented with the Terms
of Reference for an Equity, Diversity, and
Inclusion Committee on August 12
This is only a first step, but a necessary
one, in helping us create a community
You can contact the Warden by
calling the Municipal
Office at (902) 275-3554,
calling his home at
(902) 275-2536, or emailing
awebber@chester.ca
Holiday Closures: Municipal Offices are closed
on Monday, September 6 for Labour Day and
on Thursday, September 30 to observe the Na-
tional Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Kaizer Meadow Landfill is closed on Monday,
September 6 and waste collection is resched-
uled to Saturday, September 4.
The Landfill will remain open on Thursday, Sep-
tember 30, and waste collection will proceed as
usual as the 2021 schedule is already in place.
Council meeting schedule: Municipal Council
will meet on the 19th and 26th in August. Sep-
tember's calendar has yet to be approved. Join
Council as they continue to livestream meet-
ings. Follow Chester Municipality on Facebook,
or watch the stream later with or without an ac-
count. Visit www.chester.ca to view the agenda
or subscribe to have it delivered to your inbox.
Knotweed: Some of the ditches in the Village
of Chester are quickly becoming overgrown
with knotweed (a fast-growing invasive plant).
Ditch mowing is carried out by Nova Scotia
Transportation and Active Transit (NSTAT), and
the Municipality has sent a request on behalf
of residents to have it trimmed. If you would
like to contact NSTAT and make a request, you
can contact the office at 1-844-696-7737 or by
email at tir-occ@novascotia.ca.
Protective Equipment: The staff at Kaizer
Meadow Landfill are unable to lend personal
protective equipment to residents or contrac-
tors using the site because of COVID-19 precau-
tions. Keep in mind that if you do not have the
proper safety gear when going beyond the Pub-
lic Drop-off, you will not be permitted to enter
that part of the site.
IN BRIEF...
2
that we can all take pride in and that
visitors - and residents - feel welcome to
share in all we have to offer.
Our community flag pole was just
installed the morning I wrote this
message, which is a positive step in
helping us recognize the tremendous
work being done by local community
organizations.
The Village Plan Review is well
underway, our Wastewater Management
Strategy has begun, and the Traffic Flow
Improvement Plan as well.
These will all help guide us in creating
a path forward in both economic
development and a quality of life within
our Municipality.
Your participation and support is crucial
to our success in moving forward with
the many issues and challenges we face.
Thank you and all the best,
MEET YOUR NEWEST STAFF
Retirements and other opportunities see a light changeover
Over the last several months, we have seen
several staff come and go at the Municipal-
ity of Chester. We briefly mentioned some in the
last newsletter, but want to introduce you to team
members you might need to contact.
Kavita Khanna joins us as the Assistant Direc-
tor of Infrastructure & Operations (Public Works
and Solid Waste Services). She started with us in
March and the projects she is most involved in at
the moment are the Traffic Impact Study for Ches-
ter and Hubbards, Gold River Bridge, Wastewater
Study, and Trail Maintenance.
Kavita is a registered Professional Engineer with
Engineers NS and has an MBA from Saint Mary’s.
In addition, she has a certificate in construction
management. She has experience as a project
manager/consultant in the construction industry
and has managed a number of capital projects in
the public and private sectors.
With the retirement of Malcolm Pitman (hope
you're having a relaxing retirement, Malcolm!),
Tim Topping fills the role of Director of Finance
and Information Services. Tim joins us from the
City of Calgary.
Tim is happily returning home to Nova Scotia
with his family after seven years. Tim graduated
with a Bachelor of Commerce from St. Mary’s and
is looking forward to the opportunity to use his
skills, education, and experience to provide finan-
cial leadership to the Municipality. He is also ea-
ger to provide his two young children with all the
benefits that growing up in Nova Scotia offered
him and his wife.
Cindy Hannaford, our beautiful ray of sunshine
on the upstairs floor, has left for other pursuits.
In her place is our newest staff person, Emily Len-
nox. Emily comes to us from ABLE Engineering
and has extensive experience as an Executive Sec-
retary, which is her role with the Municipality. She
started with us near the end of July and is already
part of our work family!
Erin Schurman-Kolb accepted the position of
Building & Fire Inspector with the County of Kings
at the end of June. Her position with MOC was
Fire Inspector/By-Law Enforcement Officer and
back-up Building Inspector. We are currently ad-
vertising for a part-time By-Law Enforcement Offi-
cer. You can find more information on our website
at https://chester.ca/government/employment.
We are in a shared services arrangement with the
Municipality of Lunenburg (MODL) and Towns of
Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. Currently, MODL is
looking for a Chief Building Inspector, so we have
joined forces in the spirit of our shared services
agreement by engaging a recruiter for both posi-
tions.
The last staffing news we have is that we have
conducted interviews for an Accessibility Coor-
dinator, whose position will be shared among all
of the municipal units in Lunenburg County. This
person will research trends and issues, advise us
and several other municipalities, consult with the
community about accessibility issues and chal-
lenges. This person will spend time in each of the
participating municipalities - Municipality of Ches-
ter, Municipality of Lunenburg, Town of Bridgewa-
ter, Town of Lunenburg, and Town of Mahone Bay.
CONGRATULATIONS, CHRISTA!
Our own Christa Rafuse, P.Eng and Director
of Infrastructure & Operations, has won
an award in Women and Safety Leadership
from the Nova Scotia Construction Safety
Association.
This award was presented to Christa in rec-
ognition of her management of the Municipal-
ity's sewer plant upgrades, specifically for the
elimination of chlorine gas at the treatment
plants in Western Shore and Chester. Both
plants are fully converted to an ultraviolet pro-
cess and chorine gas removed from the sites.
Chlorine gas is a hazardous and toxic material
that must be transported and handled with
extreme caution.
Christa is also an active member of the Joint
Occupational Health & Safety Committee at
the Municipality and provides great leader-
ship on safety matters.
The award was presented virtually at the As-
sociation's AGM on May 20 and again at the
Council meeting on June 10.
3
MUNICIPAL GRANTS
Own a business in Own a business in the Municipality the Municipality of Chester?of Chester?
Register with our Business Directory at chester.ca/business-directory and have access to thousands of views per month!
Upload photos, link reviews, post your menu and link to your social media account. Edit your listing at anytime!
For info, call 902-275-4161 or email ecodev@chester.ca
Last edition, we listed the grants that were
provided to non-profit groups over the past
year. With one of the largest grant programs in the
rural Nova Scotia, it isn't a wonder that the list is
continued.
On the right, the recipients of funds from the
two remaining grant programs are listed: Emer-
gency Grants to community groups with facilities
and Leadership Grants.
The Emergency Grant Program was established
by Council at the start of the first COVID-19 wave
when it was clear closing doors was imminent. As
the pandemic persisted, the program continued
and helped many of our community groups pay
their monthly bills when holding regular fundrais-
ing events wasn't possible.
Almost all of the expenses on the right are noted
as "facility maintenance" and consist of building
upkeep, regular bills (like power, heating, phone
and insurance), and wages - costs that are usually
paid for through hosting regular events but could
not happen because of lockdown. The Emergency
Grant Program has wrapped up, and we are hope-
ful that those challenges are behind us all.
Leadership Training Grants can be requested
for training, certification, and workshops that in-
crease the skills, abilities and knowledge of those
in coaching and leadership positions. Funding cov-
ers up to 50% of registration fees.
While no applications were received in the last
year, the Municipalilty also offers a Youth Spon-
sorship Program to assist youth who have won
their way or have been selected to attend a recog-
nized, sanctioned event at the provincial, national
or international level. Applications are accepted
throughout the year and can provide up to $2,000
for ages 21 years and under.
GRANTED
Expenses keep coming in
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTTHE BEST OF NOVA SCOTIA
Municipality launches website to attract investors to area
As part of its investment attraction efforts, the
Municipality of Chester (MOC) is announcing the
launch of a new website.
The site, www.investchester.ca, positions MOC
as a landing place of opportunity waiting to hap-
pen.
Municipal Council identified economic develop-
ment as a priority in 2013, recognizing the pow-
erful growth potential and profitable geographic
location of the district. As part of that work, MOC
adopted an Economic Development Strategy with
goals in sector identification, tourism, and invest-
ment readiness.
The new website features MOC’s key sectors,
provides demographic data, and profiles commer-
cial land inventory, including the Kaizer Meadow
Industrial Park. A large part of the site calls atten-
tion to the area’s quality of life, describing many
of the available “off the clock” activities, family
resources, and the cost advantage of living here.
Our Senior Economic Development Officer, Erin
Lowe, feels that a website dedicated to business
attraction is the first step in marketing to a wider
audience of modern entrepreneurs looking for a
lifestyle and not only a storefront.
For information about MOC’s Economic Devel-
opment Strategy, or to ask questions about the
website, contact Erin at 902-275-4138.
ORGANIZATION APPROVED GRANT USED TOWARDS . . .
Aspotogan Arts & Crafts $800 Facility maintenance
Aspotogan Ridge Golf Course $4,000 Construction of deck screened in area
Bonny Lea Farm $5,000 Facility maintenance
Canaan and District Hall Association $4,050 Facility maintenance
Chester Art Centre $4,000 Facility maintenance
Chester Brass Band Hall $1,600 Facility maintenance
Chester Golf Club $2,000 Facility maintenance
Chester Municipal Heritage Society $3,000 Facility maintenance
Chester Tennis Club $1,525 Facility ($1000) Instructor Course-Leadership ($525)
Chester Theatre Council (Playhouse) $5,000 Facility maintenance
Chester Yacht Club $5,000 Facility maintenance
Church Memorial Park $1,800 Facility maintenance
Clarke Masonic Lodge 61 $3,000 Facility maintenance
District # 1 Community Centre $6,000 Facility maintenance
East Chester Recreation Association $5,000 Facility maintenance
East River Village Hall $1,900 Facility maintenance
Forties Community Centre $4,000 Facility maintenance
Hubbards Area Lions Club $7,000 Facility maintenance
Hubbards Barn Association $3,000 Facility maintenanc
Integrity’s Haven Equine Rescue Centre Society $5,000 Vet expenses
New Ross Farmers Association $2,000 Facility maintenance
New Ross Regional Development Society $500 Family Fun Day / Winter Frolic
Norwood Masonic Lodge $2,000 Metal roof expenses
Ocean Swells Community Association $3,425 Facility maintenance
Our Health Centre $1,000 Personal protective equipment & sanitization
Richaman, Barbara $500 Leadership training - Essential Somatics
Royal Canadian Legion Br 144 Western Shore $7,000 Facility maintenance
Royal Canadian Legion Br 79 New Ross $7,000 Facility maintenance
Royal Canadian Legion, Br. 44, Chester $5,000 Facility maintenance
Royal Canadian Legion, Br. 88, Chester Basin $5,000 Facility maintenance
Sherbrooke Lake Camp $2,000 Facility maintenance
St. Martins Parish $2,000 Facility maintenance
St. Stephen’s Parish Community Centre $1,400 Facility maintenance
Through the Years Day Care & Community Ctr $7,000 Facility maintenance
Western Shore & Area Improvement Association $7,000 Facility maintenance
PROVINCIAL ELECTION
WORKERS NEEDED
CHESTER-ST. MARGARETS
Contact Dawn at 902-275-8157 or
aro08@electionsns.ca.
Pay starts at $15.95/hour. Conditions apply.
4
COMMUNITY INTEREST
Community Events
CHESTER FARMERS' & ARTISANS' MARKET
Fridays, 9am-1pm, Chester Train Station. Visit
www.chesterfarmersmarket.wordpress.com.
HUBBARDS FARMERS' MARKET
Saturdays, 8am-12pm, Hubbards Barn & Com-
munity Park. Visit www.hubbardsbarn.org.
CHESTER BANDSTAND SUMMER CONCERTS
Sundays, 7pm. Concerts may be moved or
cancelled in heavy rain or due to COVID-19
restrictions. Info: 902-299-0139, donations:
www.chesterbrass.com.
• August 8: Dartmouth Concert Band
• August 15: Chester Brass Band
• August 22: Tuesday Night Band
• August 29 Chester Brass Band
PICNIC IN THE PARK
Tuesdays, Lordly Park in Chester, 6pm in
August and 5pm in September. Raindates are
Wednesdays then Thursdays. Visit www.chester.
ca for cancellations.
• August 10: FOG (Four Old Guys)
• August 17: Darren Arsenault Trio
• August 24: Kristen Martell
• August 31: Short Notice
• September 7: Global Centric Brass Band
• September 14: Cut Split & Delivered
CHESTER MUNICIPAL HERITAGE SOCIETY
YARD SALE (20 Smith Road, Chester)
August 14, 9am-2pm, Chester Train Station. Rain
date is August 15. Cash only and COVID-19 re-
strictions apply. Partial proceeds for Lordly Park
Gazebo repair. For donations, call Fran 902-275-
8416 from 12-6pm.
CHESTER PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS
"A Tale on Two Wheels" - August 14, 11am-2pm,
Lordly Park. Free.
"The Town Heroes" - August 14, 7:30pm, Ches-
ter Legion.
"Hello City Improv featuring Chester Tales" - Au-
gust 20, 7pm, Lordly Park.
"Reeny Smith" - August 21, 7:30pm, Chester
United Baptist Church.
"Speaker: Dean Jobb" - August 25, 7pm, online
via Zoom.
"Jennah Barry, Caribou Run & Casual Cries for
Help" - August 28, 2pm, Pleasant St., Chester.
Reserve tickets at www.chesterplayhouse.ca or
902-275-3933.
CASSIE AND MAGGIE
Presented by Musique Royale - A Festival of Mu-
sic in Historic Nova Scotia, August 15, 3pm, Zoe
Valle Memorial Library, Chester. Tickets avail-
able by calling 902-273-2526 or visiting www.
musiqueroyale.com. Alternate location in case
of bad weather is St. Stephen’s Anglican Church.
PIP FUN FAIRE
August 21, 7pm, Lordly Park in Chester. Six
hours, six bands. Proceeds for the Lordly Park
Gazebo repair
COMMUNITY YARD SALE
August 28, 9am-2pm, corner of Hwy 3 and Val-
ley Road, Chester. Proceeds for Our Health
Centre. Raindate is August 29. Volunteers and
donations needed. For early bird pick-up, con-
tact Lisa Aiken: lisamarieaiken@gmail.com 902-
483-1666; Janice Moreside: moresidejancie@
live.com 902-275-8184; Leo Blain: leo.f.blain@
gmail.com 902-277-0055; Cathy Ross: mocathy.
ross@gmail.com 902-299-5415.
We are currently experiencing a shortage of
doctors available to work at our Walk-In
Clinic. We understand that this is very upsetting to
the many patients who do not have a family doc-
tor and who count on Our Health Centre's Clinic
for health care. Please know that we are doing ev-
erything we can to recruit more doctors.
We will be hiring a nurse practitioner or two in
August to help with the schedule.
If you do have a family doctor, we ask that you
call your family doctor first before trying to make
an appointment at OHC's Walk-in Clinic. This will
help free up appointments for people without a
family doctor.
If you need to cancel or rebook your appoint-
ment, we ask that you give us 24 hours’ notice, or
you may be charged $50 for your missed appoint-
ment. We do have an answering machine on the
Walk-In Clinic phone line, which is 902-273-2098.
Please remember to be patient, kind, and re-
spectful to our Walk-In Clinic staff!
902-273-2098
WALK-IN CLINIC
Important Message
Tuesdays
August 10 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wednesdays
August 11 4:00 - 8:00 pm
August 18 4:00 - 8:00 pm
August 25 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursdays
August 12 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
4:30 - 8:30 pm
August 19 4:30 - 8:30 pm
August 26 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
4:30 - 8:30 pm
Saturdays
August 14 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
August 21 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
August 28 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
• PLEASE do not come to second floor Walk-in Clinic
if you do not have an appointment.
• During the pandemic, all appointments must be
booked over the phone. Please leave a message
and calls will be returned as soon as possible.
• You must wear a mask. Please bring one with you.
5
COMMUNITY INTERESTWILDFIRE SEASON AT PEAK
Wildfires are a concern in the dry season, but you can help prevent
Wildfire Season begins March 15 and ends
October 15. This is when wildfires are at
a greater risk of igniting due to lack of moisture.
Weather significantly impacts wildfires in how
they start, how aggressively they spread, and how
long they burn. Wildfires can damage homes, ve-
hicles, properties, and even cause evacuations.
Before a Wildfire
• Stay informed by monitoring local news and
trusted sources for information.
• Monitor fire bans. Before starting a fire,
check the Burnsafe map to see whether
you can burn. It is NEVER safe to burn be-
fore 2:00 pm daily. Visit www.novascotia.ca/
burnsafe or call 1-855-564-BURN (2876).
• If you are planning a campfire or bonfire,
keep the fire contained. Before you leave or
go to sleep, “Soak It. Stir It. Soak It Again”. Be
sure it is completely extinguished and does
not flare up.
• Drive with caution. ATVs, dragging tow
chains, a tire blow-out, discarded cigarette
butts, or even parking on dry grass can spark
a fire.
• FireSmart your property. Clear brush, de-
bris, and hazards away from your home. For
details visit www.FireSmart.ca
• Review your insurance policy for updated
inventory and policy coverage. If you are
evacuated, having Additional Living Expens-
es help cover costs when out of your home.
Contact your broker for details.
• Prepare an emergency kit for your fam-
ily and your pets including food, water, and
supplies. Print or store Important Docu-
ments electronically.
If a wildfire approaches your property
Immediately call 9-1-1. If it is safe, and there is
time before the fire arrives, you should take the
following actions:
• Close or cover windows, doors, vents, and
other openings.
• Park your car facing the roadway and pack it
with valuables in preparation for an evacua-
tion to a safe location.
• Stay tuned to your local radio station for up-
to-date information on the fire and possible
road closures.
During a wildfire
Be prepared to evacuate at any time. If told to
evacuate, please follow advice of fire officials.
• Keep lights on to aid visibility in case smoke
fills the house.
• If sufficient water is available, turn sprinklers
on to wet the roof and waterproof valuables.
• In the event of a power outage consider-
ation should be given to food safety, safe
drinking water, carbon monoxide poisoning,
and power line hazards.
Safe evacuation
• Listen to officials and follow road closures –
do not drive around barricades.
• Do not assume an evacuation will only last a
few hours. Plan to evacuate your family and
pets for several days.
• Keep phone lines open for emergency work-
ers. Text rather than make phone calls.
INTERNET PROJECT UPDATES
Municipality receives updates on Bell and TNC projects
Develop Nova Scotia (DNS) is currently leading
provincial investment in projects with Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) to provide access to high
speed internet. The mandate of DNS is that as
close to 100% of Nova Scotian homes and busi-
nesses as possible will have access to minimum
service standards of internet speeds of 50 Mbps
download/10 Mbps upload for wired connec-
tions, and 25 Mbps download/5Mbps upload for
wireless connections.
We have received updates on several projects
happening in the Municipality of Chester:
Bell-DNS Phase 2 Blandford Project (which
includes the communities of Northwest Cove,
Southwest Cove, Aspotogan, Bayswater, Upper
Blandford, Blandford, and New Harbour). The bulk
of this project is now complete. A few remaining
civic addresses in the area do not yet have access
owing to the water crossing permit delay on Owls
Head Road, which should be resolved shortly.
Bell-DNS Phase 3 Scope Expansion Chester
Project (from Deep Cove to East River Point). This
project is now complete.
Bell-DNS Phase 2 Chester Surround (Aalders-
ville area, Canaan area, New Russell area, and Sef-
fernville area). This project now has an estimated
completion date of summer 2022.
Bell has not released project timelines for the
other two Phase 3 projects in our municipality,
namely: Bell-DNS Phase 3 Project "Scope Expan-
sion - Chester" [Chester Grant Area] and Bell-DNS
Phase 3 Project "Scope Expansion - Hubbards
Area". However, draft service area maps for these
projects are available under the documents tab
on the Voices & Choices website.
Please keep in mind that progress on the Bell-
DNS projects involve many moving parts, includ-
ing: Bell’s capacity in managing multiple concur-
rent projects throughout Nova Scotia; the design
of the new fibre service area network and or-
dering of specific materials; coordinating “make
ready” work with Nova Scotia Power on power
poles; securing water crossing permits with the
Department of Lands & Forestry where necessary;
and then, of course, the actual project build that
includes installing fibre and vegetation cutbacks.
The many Bell-DNS projects underway through-
out our province creates logistical and capacity
pressures for each announced project. For further
detail of what goes into the coordination and pri-
oritization of Bell-DNS projects, visit our public
engagement website at https://www.voicesand-
choices.ca/ruralinternet.
Unfortunately, TNC Wireless has cancelled its
wireless towers project in our Municipality. Origi-
nally announced in 2019 as a temporary solution
to provide broadband
wireless service until
Develop Nova Scotia
rolled out its Internet
for Nova Scotia Ini-
tiative, TNC Wireless
made the decision to
cancel the project as
it was no longer eco-
nomically viable for
TNC given the extent
of the Bell-DNS service
area projects in our
communities. Commu-
nity consultation for
three tower sites (in
Windsor Road, Forties,
and Seffernville) was
completed earlier this
year by the Canadian
Radiocommunications
Information and Notifi-
cation Service (CRINS),
and although Council
had budgeted a con-
tribution to the TNC
Wireless project (which
had also received sup-
port from Innovation,
Science and Economic
Development Canada’s
Connect to Innovate
program), no work was
completed on the tow-
ers project so no Municipal funds were expended.
As details are released about the scope of an-
nounced projects, it is important that Develop
Nova Scotia knows about properties that will still
not have access to minimum service standards
when all announced projects are completed.
One of the things we’re doing at the Municipal-
ity is identifying and tracking any remaining un-
serviced/under serviced areas that we can then
share with DNS for their ongoing discussions for
additional projects. Residents, businesses, and or-
ganizations who do not have the opportunity to
access minimum service standards as defined by
Develop Nova Scotia are encouraged to contact
Jonathan Meakin at jmeakin@chester.ca with de-
tails.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
6
Download theR6RECYCLES app and never miss another collection day.
Create a personalized collection calendar
Find out "What Goes Where"
Receive notifications by email, text or phone
Receive real time alerts on weather-related service
disruptions
Play our "What Goes Where" sorting game
No smart phone or tablet? No problem!
Visit https://chester.ca/waste-recycling/
r6recycles for the same features.
Can't find your address?
Email solidwaste@chester.ca
Dear Shabby,
I recently moved to the area and want to make
sure I'm following the waste collection guidelines.
Can you give me the run down? I want to men-
tion that we have been renovating, so we have
paint cans and construction waste, too.
~ signed All Settled in Western Shore
Dear “All Settled”:
Welcome to the neighbourhood! The guidelines
are relatively easy. Maximum six bags of garbage
and ten bags of recyclables. You should have a
green cart already at your house for organics, but
if not, please call 902-275-2330, and we will deliver
one. Any construction waste, like drywall, paint-
ed wood, windows or closet doors can go to Kai-
zer Meadow Landfill. They will take up to 1,500
lbs for free per trip! While you're at it, bring us
Dear Shabby
Friendly waste disposal advice
your empty paint cans too, including aerosols. For
sorting tips, look on page 10 of the waste calendar
and page 30 for alternate drop-off locations for differ-
ent materials.
***********************************************
Dear Shabby,
Where do I begin? This is both a love story and a
story of unbearable tragedy with a good helping
of mystery and possible betrayal. I went on a fish-
ing trip with my buddies for the long weekend and
when I returned, my favourite recliner was gone. I
loved that chair. My wife SAYS she doesn't know
where it went, and she SAYS that it might be in the
garage, but who can really tell because it's stacked
up out there to the rafters. She suggested I clean it
up and find out. She might be messing with me. It's
sometimes hard to tell.
~ signed Bereft in Birchy Head
Dear "Bereft":
Well, who's to say for sure. Although you can't
tell because this is a written letter, I paused un-
comfortably.
Anyway, if you are thinking over your options,
it might be worth it to know that you can bring
everything you need to Kaizer Meadow Landfill.
We accept tires, hazardous waste, used oil, pro-
pane tanks, furniture, shingles, antifreeze, bat-
teries, paint, and much more. We are open from
8:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Saturday. Just make
sure your load is covered so nothing blows off. You
know, just in case you end up spending the next
few weekends cleaning your garage.
Also, if it's any consolation, no one brought in a
recliner last Saturday.
Waste Collection starts at 7:00 a.m.Recyclable paper is like carpet.
Clean plastic is like nail polish.
The two don't mix.
(hint: put your clean paper in a separate recycling bag)
If your sense of smell is ab-
sent or diminished, or if you
have the luxury of locating your
green cart many, many feet
away from your door, there is
no need to read any further. If
not, read on.
There is no question that or-
ganics carts (aka green carts),
are an excellent tool in our mu-
nicipal composting program.
However, in the hot summer sun, they can get a
little ... well ... hideously disgusting.
It makes sense that the contents smell - it is,
after all, rotting food. All of which makes a won-
derful soil amendment at the end of the compost
curing process. It's getting to the end product
that has us curling up our noses.
Just as composting in the winter presents the
challenge of compost freezing and sticking inside
your green cart, the summer presents the chal-
lenge of odour. And what an odour it is! There
are a few tips that won't eliminate the odour, but
they will help minimize it.
• Use a paper or newspaper liner - The next
time your green cart is emptied, put some
layers of newspaper or boxbord at the bot-
tom. This will make sure food doesn't stick
to the grate, and it will soak up liquid.
• Wrap food waste in paper towel/newspa-
per before placing in bin - Again, this will
absorb liquid as well as "insulate" some of
the odour.
• Empty mini bin often, even if not full - Emp-
tying your mini bin regularly will remove
any smell from inside your home.
• Have large cart emptied every collection
day, even if it’s not full - The longer decom-
posing food sits, the smellier it gets.
• Wash mini bin/large cart frequently - Use
a pressure washer, garden hose, bucket of
water, to rinse out your cart.
• Alternate layers of food waste with newspa-
pers, yard waste, etc. - Same idea as using a
paper or newspaper liner.
• Store your green cart in a shaded area - The
sun tends to heat things up, and heated up
rotten food smells like you would expect it
to.
• Freeze meats, fish, scraps until collection
day - frozen organics have hardly any smell.
SUMMERSUMMER LOVIN'? LOVIN'?
Batteries are
HAZARDOUS
Please recycle
PROGRAMS/SERVICES
7
As far back as 2017, conversations around ad-
vertising signage were happening at Council. At
that time, Council asked staff to provide options
for a policy. After researching similar programs,
conducting workshops, engaging the business
community, and consultating with Nova Scotia
Transportation & Active Transit (NSTAT), Staff and
Council developed a draft Uniform Advertising
Signage By-law and Program.
The intention is to implement the draft By-law
throughout the entire Municipality, but we will
use near Exit 6 (46 Highway 3 to 443 Highway 3
in the Hubbards/Simms Settlement area) as the
pilot location. Then, after the pilot is finished and
if the program is well-received, Council will review
it again. Before adjusting the the By-law to fit the
rest of the Municipality, it will go through another
adoption process, which includes notifying public
and receiving feedback.
The By-law uses a regulatory framework for
erecting, maintaining, pasting, painting, or expos-
ing advertisements along portions of the highways
and routes in the Municipality. Signage within the
area covered by the By-Law will be consistent in
appearance and recognizabe by visitors. Signage
not permitted by the uniform signage program
(non-tourist related businesses) can still advertise
outside of the By-law area but will need a permit
UNIFORM SIGNAGE BY-LAW
Program and By-Law developed for highway advertising signage
from NSTAT.
Some of the provisions being regulated through
the By-law are:
• The Program will only be open to tourism-
related businesses.
• There is an application fee of $150 that will
cover the costs of the sign and installation,
and $40 maintenance fee for every year fol-
lowing.
• Community Development Staff will handle
application submissions and any inquiries
from business owners as well as issue per-
mits for uniform signage.
• Tourism businesses within the Municipality
can have two uniform advertising signs.
• Tourism businesses outside of the Munici-
pality can have one uniform advertising sign
and cannot be more than 10 kilometres
from the signage structure that they intend
to advertise on.
• Owners of Illegal signs will be notified by the
Municipality via registered letter and will
have 14 days to retrieve their sign before it
is destroyed.
Owners of existing signs in the pilot area (near
Exit 6) were already contacted regarding the up-
coming By-law and Program.
Council made a motion to approve First Reading
of the draft By-law on July 22, 2021. This means
that once public feedback is received, it will be
moved to Second Reading and then adopted.
You can review the draft By-law by visiting our
public engagement website at https://www.voic-
esandchoices.ca/uniform-signage. You can also
request a copy of the draft By-law by calling the
Municipal Clerk at 902-275-3554. For information
about the draft By-law, or to provide your feed-
back, you can email planning@chester.ca or call
902-275-2599.
The Municipality plans to implement the By-Law
and Program in the Spring of 2022.
Public consultation meeting
Join us at Picnic in the Park to discuss options and ideas for Phases 2, 3 and 4 of the Parade Square Beautification Project.
Tuesday, August 17, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Tweet of the Week
Our most popular post for June/July...
Still relevant. Still important. Still not permitted. Still happening.
LinkedIn: Find us on LinkedIn by searching "Municipality of Chester" and
get the latest updates on municipal careers, opportunities for business
and development, and community investment news.
Twitter: Search for @chestermun or @ChesterRecParks in your Twitter
account. Follow us and get regular updates and notifications about
municipal issues, including live tweets from Council meetings.
Facebook: Search ChesterMunicipality or ChesterRecParks and learn
about events and stories happening in the area. If you have something
to share, message us! We will post your event or photos!
Instagram: Follow us at chestermuni to see photos of municipal events
and daily life in the Municipality! Tag us in your pics!
YouTube: Subscribe to modcvideo for our latest videos. We have a
channel showcasing some of our outstanding attractions and businesses,
and we are hoping to add more!
District #1
East Chester, East River to Northwest Cove
Andre Veinotte 902-277-1409
District #2
Simms Settlement, Hubbards to The Lodge
Floyd Shatford 902-275-7868
District #3
Chester and part of East Chester
Danielle Barkhouse 902-277-1624
District #4
Chester Basin and Chester Grant
Allen Webber 902-275-8373
Municipal Districts and CouncillorsMunicipal Districts and Councillors
District #5
Gold River to Martins River, including
Beech Hill
Abdella Assaff 902-277-2765
District #6
New Ross
Tina Connors 902-277-1095
District #7
Middle River to Haddon Hill/Windsor Road to
Sherwood
Sharon Church 902-277-1301
Contact Us!Contact Us!
Community Development & Recreation
Building/Fire Inspection Services 902-275-3080
Planning Services 902-275-2599
Recreation & Parks 902-275-3490
Finance & Information Services
General Inquiries 902-275-3554
Taxation Services (incl Rebates) 902-275-3554
FOIPOP Officer 902-275-3554
Infrastructure & Operations
Public Works/Wastewater 902-275-1312
Solid Waste/Landfill 902-275-2330
Corporate & Strategic Management
General Inquiries 902-275-4147
Communications 902-275-4107
Council Inquiries 902-275-4109
Economic Development 902-275-4138
Rural Riches Treasure Trove Association
holds a weekly 50/50 Toonie Lottery and
provides quarterly grants to organiza-
tions in Lunenburg County. It's easy to
play - register for your number and then
pay a Toonie to play that same number
every week.
Retail locations in the Municipality of
Chester include Chester Pharmasave,
MacDougall's Pharmasave, River View
Meat Market and The Deck. Deadline to
play is noon on Wednesdays. Visit rural-
riches.ca for a complete list of retailers,
winners and organizations supported by
the lottery.
Call 902-275-2330 for a Waste Collection Calendar