Seniors Care Grant Now Open
The Seniors Care Grant helps low-income seniors with the cost of household services (like lawn care, snow removal, grocery delivery, transportation, small home repairs and phone service), healthcare services (like physiotherapy and mental health support) and home heating. Grants are $750 for each household. You can apply until 31 March 2026.
Eligibility:
To qualify for the grant, you need to be 65 or older by 31 March 2026 and meet all of the following criteria:
- have a household net income of $45,100 or less
- live in your own home or apartment
- have your name on the property title, Land Titles Initiative Certificate of Claim or residential lease agreement or a Band administrative letter issued by a First Nation community (reserve)
- have paid (or that you will pay) for household and healthcare services and home heating between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026
You need to apply by 31 March 2026 (only 1 person per household can apply).
Click the link below to download the application form:
Seniors Care Grant Application Form
***Press Release***
(Pictured: Jonathan Taylor, Superintendent Community Relations & Warden James Fuller loading for transportation to the Goshen Community Centre)
A donation of drinking water by St. Barbara Atlantic to the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s was received for distribution throughout the community while drought conditions continue. According to Warden James Fuller, “this water is not encumbered by the reporting process required by the provincial program and we can distributed it as needed.”
Woods Ban Restrictions Lifted for Some Counties
The risk of wildfires has lowered enough in some counties for restrictions on travel and activities in the woods to be lifted today, August 29. The burn ban remains in place for the entire province until October 15 or until conditions improve further.
Effective 4:00pm. today, (August 29th, 2025) the woods restrictions are lifted in the following counties:
- Cape Breton
- Richmond
- Victoria
- Inverness
- Guysborough
- Antigonish
- Halifax.
“Provincial data shows conditions are heading in the right direction in certain parts of the Province, enough for the professionals to recommend lifting the woods restrictions in those areas,” said Premier Tim Houston. “While our crews are still battling the fire in Long Lake, Nova Scotians have taken the precautions needed to keep wildfire activity low in other parts of the Province. The conditions are ready for them to get back to safely enjoying the woods again.”
The remaining counties in Nova Scotia are still under the woods restrictions as conditions continue to be extremely dry and hazardous:
- Pictou
- Colchester
- Cumberland
- Hants
- Lunenburg
- Kings
- Annapolis
- Queens
- Shelburne
- Digby
- Yarmouth.
Restrictions in these 11 counties will remain in place until October 15 – regarded as the end of wildfire season – or until conditions allow them to be lifted. The fine for violating the restrictions is $25,000.
Quick Facts:
- decisions on restricting woods access is based on data modelling that measures how much dry, flammable material has built up that could easily start a fire
- the woods restrictions were put in place August 5 through a proclamation under the Forests Act; a provincewide ban on open fires started on July 30 and will remain in place until October 15 or until conditions improve; the fine for violating the ban is $25,000
- people with questions about the restrictions can call their local Department of Natural Resources office
- in counties where the woods restrictions in the woods have been lifted, hunting season will proceed as usual
- in counties where the woods restrictions still apply, goose hunting in non-wooded, open spaces (such as fields) can go ahead as usual starting September 1; if getting to the open space requires a short trip down a trail, that is fine
Additional Resources:
August 5 woods restrictions proclamation: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/woods-proclamation_2025-08-05.pdf
News release – Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/30/provincewide-burn-ban-effect
Department of Natural Resources offices: https://novascotia.ca/natr/staffdir/offices_map.asp
Natural Resources on X: https://x.com/NS_DNR
From the Cruiser Report - August 2025
The August 2025 From the Cruiser Report is now available to view at:
August 2025 From the Cruiser Report
This is a monthly newsletter from the Guysborough County Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to inform residents of the monthly updates, activities and news stories.
Public Notice: Mandatory Water Conservation Order
Effective August 15, 2025, at 6:00am
The Sherbrooke Water Utility has ordered mandatory water conservation measures for all residential and commercial customers.
The following activities are not allowed for anyone connected to the Sherbrooke Water Utility:
- Watering lawns, trees, shrubs, or flower beds
- Filling or topping up pools
- Washing down walkways or driveways
- Washing vehicles
Residents may still water vegetable gardens but are urged to do so sparingly and in the early morning.
Enforcement: The Municipality will enforce these measures. Anyone found breaking this order may have their water service disconnected and be required to pay reconnection fees, as outlined in the Schedule of Rules and Regulations Governing the Supply of Water and Water Services and the Schedule of Rates for Water and Water Services.
These conservation measures will remain in effect until Sherbrooke Lake’s water level returns to an acceptable level.
The Sherbrooke Water Utility thanks all residents and businesses for their cooperation and for helping to use our water resources responsibly.
For more information please visit the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board regulations
Public Notice: Water Assistance
If your well has run out of water, the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s can provide bottled water to help with your immediate needs.
Residents will be asked to fill out a form with civic address and number of residents in the home.
📞 Call us at 902-522-2049 or
📧 Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange support or for more information during Business Hours. (Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm)
This service is for residents of the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s. Your address will be required.
Thank you for your cooperation, and please remember to use water wisely.
Stay safe and hydrated,
-Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s