Welcome to the first Barnacle Summer Recap. When the warm breeze and patio chairs arrive in Lunenburg County, you know it’s time for summer fun. Most local town councils reduce their meeting schedules to account for the season, but that doesn’t mean issues aren’t discussed and decisions aren’t made. Here are just a few of the things that happened while you were out sailing.
Policing Services
The Town of Lunenburg was advised of a 6.67 per cent increase in costs for RCMP policing for the 2025-26 year. The town receives policing services under the provincial police service agreement with the RCMP. Total costs will rise by $70,000 to $1,140,917. The Town of Mahone Bay also receives policing services through the agreement.
Mahone Bay’s 2025-26 business plan lists “evaluate the RCMP contract” as a core activity. The June 2025 Comprehensive Nova Scotia Policing Review Report by Deloitte Canada recommends expanding provincial police services through the RCMP. The report comes just over two years after the release of Turning the Tide Together: Final Report of the Mass Casualty Commission, which denounced the RCMP’s lack of preparation, communication and leadership during the response to the April 2020 mass shooting in Portapique.
Parking Report
Lunenburg town council discussed updates to the Lunenburg Community Centre parking lot, as recommended in the recent parking and traffic study. The proposed reconfiguration would add 40 spaces.
Council also considered accessible parking bays on town property. Parking should adhere to the Lunenburg County Accessibility Plan, which states the town should “ensure all municipal parking areas and municipally managed parking areas have accessible parking spaces and appropriate drop-off locations for larger vehicles. Accessible parking shall meet the Accessibility Act’s Built Environment Standard (when implemented).”
Community Grants
Lunenburg allocated $28,000 in community grants to local organizations, including $10,000 to Lunenburg County Wheels. Groups that were not funded last year but received money this year include Lunenburg County Pride, Nova Scotia 55+ Games, and We Feed Lunenburg.
Councillor Alison Strachan noted that many of the applications for funding were from organizations addressing food insecurity. Mayor Jamie Myra suggested adjusting the process to allocate a percentage of the town’s budget to grants, as well as moving the LCW contribution to a separate line item for transportation.
Deputy Mayor Rachel Bailey gave notice of motion requesting a review and possible updates to the policy ahead of the next application cycle.
Daycare
On June 13, the town received correspondence from Lunenburg Daycare advising that it intends to proceed with upgrades and expansion at its existing Lincoln Street site. The proposed Starr Street site was not considered the most viable option.
Council had approved the Starr Street location at its February 11 meeting after nine months of assessing options. At that time, the daycare announced a wait list of 248 children. Ashley Feener, speaking for the daycare board, urged council to make a decision promptly so as not to jeopardize funding. The hope was to create 88 new spaces.
Lunenburg’s New Chief Administrative Officer
The Town of Lunenburg hired Paul Nopper as their new permanent Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). The role has seen many faces in the last four years.
Jamie Doyle assumed duties on July 4, 2022, and stepped down in March 2024. Hilary Grant served as Interim CAO from May 2024 until her employment with the town ended in February. It was unclear if Grant’s employment was terminated. Grant was originally set to step down as Interim CAO and continue her work as Director of Community Development.
Since February, Marvin Macdonald has filled the interim position. Welcome Paul!
Water Metering
Residents of Lunenburg will soon pay per use for water. The Lunenburg Water Utility currently supplies water to residential premises at a flat rate.
The RFP to install water meters was awarded to Neptune Technology Group for $839,741. During a Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board hearing on August 10, 2022, the utility said it had committed to metering customers over several years. At that time, the cost of metering was estimated at $1.2 million.
Selling the Old Train Station
Lunenburg council passed a motion to finalize details of a purchase and sale agreement for the old train station property. Second Story Women’s Centre has occupied 18 Dufferin St. for more than 10 years and has offered to buy the building for $383,403.
Local residents raised concerns over the building’s heritage value and preservation. In a letter to council dated August 8, 2025, Leitha Haysom, writing on behalf of the centre’s board of directors, said: “While the building does not have historical designation, we recognize that its history as a local transportation link holds community significance. We want to assure the Town and community that, should our offer to purchase the property be accepted, our care for the building will match or even exceed the level of care we have exercised over the past 13 years while ensuring we continue to deliver our services to the community safely and effectively.”
2025 International Dory Races
Lunenburg hosted the 74th annual International Dory Races on August 23. Team Canada won five of six races. This tradition highlights the historic ties between the two small coastal fishing villages.
A celebration was also held for Jimmy Tarantino and Sarah LeWine, who rowed 1,100 kilometres from Gloucester, Mass., to Lunenburg in a dory built by local boatbuilder Andrew Rhodenizer.
