Municipal News

On 22 March 2020, the Province of Nova Scotia declared a state of emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency has been extended until noon on 12 July 2020. Please see the following Provincial updates:

 3 July 2020

• Travel within Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador is permitted without the requirement to self-isolate for Atlantic Canadian residents (Atlantic travel bubble)
• Social events, faith gatherings, weddings, funerals, and arts and culture events that are run by a recognized business or organization can have 250 people outdoors or 50% of the venue’s capacity to a maximum of 200 indoors

26 June 2020

• Privately operated campgrounds can operate at 100% capacity if they follow the Health Protection Act Order and their sector-specific plan.
• Public pools can reopen if they follow the Health Protection Act Order and the Nova Scotia Lifesaving Society plan for change rooms and washrooms.
  
  Public pools must meet all conditions in the Health Protection Act Order, including:
  • maintaining a minimum physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) for lane swimming and aquafit classes
  • allowing 1 or more groups of 10 for other activities based on pool size
• Restaurants can reopen table service (dine-in) if they follow the Health Protection Act Order and their sector-specific plan. Restaurants can continue to offer take-out and delivery service. See the sector-specific plan for the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia.

18 June 2020

• Outdoor playgrounds can reopen
• Family household bubbles are replaced with a 10-person gathering limit without social distancing. Individuals may gather together in close social groups of up to 10 persons per group without adhering to the physical distancing requirements of two metres or six feet

The Municipality of the District of St. Mary's is currently inviting request for proposals(RFP's) for the "Supply of an Ultraviolet Disinfection Unit" and for the "Supply of Aeration Equipment". Both of these RFP's are for the Sherbrooke Sewage Treatment Plant. For the complete information please see our website page for tenders at https://www.saint-marys.ca/tenders-and-proposals.html 

Please take note that the provincewide fire ban has been extended to include backyard firepits as well as bush and other open fires. The fire risk is high because of dry conditions, winds and low humidity. Check before you burn. Restrictions are updated daily at 2 pm at novascotia.ca/burnsafe.

At the Special Council Meeting held May 14th, 2020, St. Mary's Council passed a new policy called the COVID-19 Property Tax Financing Policy. The Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s is concerned about the health and safety of residents and recognizes that facilitating the payment of the 2020/2021 property taxes in installments may better allow Nova Scotians to follow the public health directives endorsed by the Government of Nova Scotia. This Policy responds to that need by establishing a one-time property tax installment payment program for residential and commercial properties negatively affected by the COVID-19 global pandemic. For more information and to see if you qualify, please see the full policy or call the office for more information.  pdf Property Tax Financing Plan Policy(1.56 MB)  and   pdf Property Tax Financing Program Enrolment Form & Information Bulletin(440 KB)