Fire Restrictions Lifted: Burn Ban Lifted

With conditions improving, the ban on open fires is lifted in all counties except Annapolis as of 8 p.m.on September 26, 2025.
The ban will remain in place in Annapolis County until the end of wildfire season due to the ongoing Long Lake wildfire.
“It’s been a very challenging wildfire season, and I thank all Nova Scotians for co-operating with the prevention measures we put in place,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources. “For most of the province, the daily burn restrictions will resume until the end of the season, and it’s still very important that everyone follow them to keep our people and our communities safe.”
The daily burn restrictions – and the continued ban in Annapolis County – apply to open fires such as campfires, bonfires, brush fires, fires in chimeneas and any other fire that is not enclosed and uses wood as the fuel. Unlike gas or charcoal fires, sparks could escape from an open wood fire and cause a wildfire.
The restrictions do not apply to non-wood-burning devices like charcoal and gas barbeques and gas stoves, which can be used following manufacturer’s instructions.

Quick Facts:

• the provincewide ban was put in place through a proclamation under the Forests Act on July 30; the proclamation was revised for Annapolis County today
• the Province’s BurnSafe map, which lets people know where and when burning is permitted, will remain red for Annapolis County while the proclamation is in effect, meaning open fires are not allowed
• for all other counties, the map will be red from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. because burning is never permitted during those hours; the daily restrictions will be posted at 2 p.m. to show what is and is not allowed for the rest of the day
• the usual end of wildfire season is October 15

Additional Resources:
Burn ban proclamation: https://novascotia.ca/natr/forestprotection/wildfire/fire-proclamation_2025-09-26.pdf
Information on fire restrictions and the BurnSafe map: https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/
Forests Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/forests.pdf
News release – Provincewide Burn Ban in Effect: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/30/provincewide-burn-ban-effect

Thank You - Smart-Go

The Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s would like to extend our sincere thanks to Smart-Go, St. Mary's Association for Rural Transit for their generous donation of bottled water to our Municipality.

Your support is greatly appreciated and reflects a strong commitment to helping our community in times of need. Acts of generosity like this make a meaningful difference and strengthen the bonds within our Municipality.

On behalf of the Warden Council, Staff, and Residents — thank you for your contribution and continued community support.

Community Post: ECRL

September 26, 2025
For Immediate Release: Impact of Canada Post Labour Disruption on Public Library Services
Effective 11:30am, Friday, September 26: Due to the Canada Post labour disruption, library users can only place holds on materials and request items located at Eastern Counties Regional Library (ECRL) locations.
ECRL’s Borrow By Mail (BBM) service is suspended during the strike and is not an available pickup location in the online catalogue. BBM users will be required to select a library branch for pickup or wait to receive their holds via mail once the strike ends. Please note some materials are onsite and we will contact users to arrange alternate branch pickup locations if possible.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service is also suspended during the strike and will resume when the strike ends. New ILL requests will not be accepted until that time.
Library users who require assistance should contact their local branch location or call our toll-free customer service number 1-855-787-7323.
Please follow ECRL on social media for service updates: facebook.com/ECRLibrary and Instagram: ECRL_NS.
For more information contact: Laura Emery, CEO
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 902-631-4403

To view the original Release please click the link below:
pdf 2025 09 26 ECRL Media Release Impact of Canada Post Labour Disruption(132 KB)

COTW - October 1, 2025

NOTICE
MEETING: St Mary’s Municipal Council
Committee of the Whole
DATE: Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
TIME: 5:00pm
PLACE: St. Mary’s Municipality
Council Chambers, Sherbrooke, NS

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Additions to the Agenda
4. Approval of the Agenda
5. Approval of Minutes the Committee of the Whole held Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
6. Business Arising from Minutes
7. Correspondence:
a. Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities – AGM & Proposed By-law Changes
8. Other Matters of Business
  a. Staff Report – Sewer Utility Inflow & Infiltration Manhole Covers - Capital Project
  b. Staff Report – Growth and Renewal for Infrastructure Development Program – New Application
9. In-Camera – Legal
Adjournment

Public Notice - Water Assistance/Shower Assistance

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. This service is not available to the customers on the Sherbrooke Water Utility.
Thank you for your cooperation, and please remember to use water wisely.
Stay safe and hydrated,
-Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s

Shower Assistance:

Showers will be available to residents within the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s starting tomorrow, Friday September 5th, 2025 from 9:00am. to 3:00pm at the St. Mary’s Recplex (164 Old Road Hill, Sherbrooke). Beginning next week, Monday September 8th, 2025, they will be open weekly, Monday to Thursday from 3:00pm. to 9:00pm. on a first-come, first-served basis during the drought.
There are two showers and dressing rooms available for use. Residents must bring their own shower amenities, such as a towel, shampoo, soap, etc.
Please keep showers to five minutes so everyone has a chance to use them and to help conserve water.
Be respectful of others, leave the space clean, and remember that minors must have an adult present.
Filling containers of water at the facility is not allowed.
This service will be available as long as there is a need by residents and water is available.

Public Notice - Mandatory Water Conservation

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