News

Donations in Memory of Bill Masters

Details

Category: News

Published: Friday, 22 October 2021 11:17

At the request of Bill’s family, the Municipality of Colchester will accept donations for the expansion of the Fundy Discovery Site Playground in memory of Bill Masters who served as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor. He was also a driving force behind this project. Donations should be made out to the “Fundy Discovery Site Playground Project in care of the Municipality of Colchester” and can be dropped off or mailed to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home or the Municipality of Colchester at 1 Church Street, Truro, NS  B2N 3Z5.

Council and staff extend our sincerest sympathies to Bill’s family and friends and are grateful for any contributions made to this community project in his memory. Receipts will be issued by the Municipality.

Truro-Colchester Housing Needs Report

Details

Category: News

Published: Thursday, 14 October 2021 13:29

A housing needs study was conducted on the Truro-Colchester Area. To view the final report, please click pdf here (6.28 MB) .

Mass Casualty Commission

Details

Category: Notices

Published: Friday, 20 August 2021 10:13

Anyone having information or interest in participating in the Mass Casualty Commission inquiry are encouraged to contact the Commission. 
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone: 902-407-7532 or toll-free 1-833-635-2501.

Mass Casualty Commission
128 Esplanade Street
Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 2K3

For more information about the Commission visit masscasualtycommission.ca.

Municipal Offices Re-opened To Public

Details

Category: Covid-19

Published: Tuesday, 15 June 2021 08:56

Our Municipal offices at 1 Church Street, Truro are now re-opened to the public.

Drop-in visitors will be required to enter and exit through the front door and provide information for contact tracing purposes. Visitors requiring ramp access may enter from the back of the building whereby pressing the doorbell staff will grant access. A maximum number of visitors will be allowed to each department and visitor passes will be issued accordingly.

Pre-set appointment or meeting visitors will enter through the back door where staff involved will meet and sign guests in and out.

All services may also be accessed by phone, email, or virtual appointment during regular office hours. Phone: 902-897-3160, Fax (General Inquiries): 902-843-4066, Toll Free (in Nova Scotia): 1-866-728-5144 or refer to www.colchester.ca for email contacts.

Bill Payments:
Payments can be made online, or by depositing a cheque in the secure drop box at the rear entrance of the Municipal Building (1 Church Street). If you have an inquiry relating to the Tax Office, please call 902-897-3150.
Community Development:
To discuss and submit applications for development permits, subdivisions, re-zonings and development agreements, as well as requests for zoning letters, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 902-897-3170 for instructions on how to proceed.

Building Inspections:
To discuss and submit building applications or to schedule a building inspection for a project under construction, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 902-897-3170.

Emergency Water or Sewer Issues:
For emergency services such as a problem with Municipal Water or Municipal Sewer please call Public Works at 902-897-3175.

Garbage, Compost or Recycling:
For inquiries contact our Helpline: 902-895-4777. The Public is advised to NOT go to the Solid Waste Facilities in Kemptown unless it is essential and are encouraged to use the residential curbside collection program.
If an essential visit is required masks must be worn onsite at all times.

In case of night and/or weekend emergencies, call 902-897-3150, 3160 or 3175.

For more information visit Colchester.ca or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Colchester Housing Needs Survey

Details

Category: News

Published: Friday, 30 April 2021 09:51

Please take a few minutes to fill out this anonymous survey on housing needs in Colchester.

This survey is part of a larger county-wide study on Affordable Housing Needs, supported by the United Way of Colchester County, the Municipality of Colchester, the Town of Truro, Nova Scotia Health, CMHC, YReach, and the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia.

https://interceptum.com/s/en/ColchesterHousingNeedsSurvey

Colchester Holds the Line on Tax Rates

Details

Category: Media Releases

Published: Friday, 30 April 2021 08:08

After weathering the financial challenges of 2020, Colchester County Council successfully approved its 2021/22 budget last evening with no increases to the residential or commercial tax rates.  This was the third year of the last four that the Municipality was able to hold the line on its rates, with just a half cent increase in 2019. 

“We know this past year has been challenging financially for many of our residents and businesses. Although our Municipality continues to face rising costs that are beyond our control, such as education, policing, libraries, and corrections, Council was determined to do its best to avoid an increase in our tax rates. We are pleased to say that we were successful in achieving that,” said Christine Blair, Mayor of the Municipality of Colchester.

The Municipality prides itself on delivering a high level of service to residents while continuing to maintain one of the lowest municipal tax rates in the province. Long-term forecasting, investment in contingency reserve funds, and calculated spending have all contributed to the Municipality’s stable financial position.

In addition to careful spending, this year’s $32.9 Million budget continues to invest in critical infrastructure and economic development initiatives that will aid in post-pandemic recovery in the County including rural broadband internet, Debert Business Park and Airport, Fundy Discovery Site, and the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark.  

The Municipality is leading environmental change by investing in Carbon-Free Colchester initiatives, and numerous community organizations also will receive support through the County’s extensive not-for-profit grant programs.

“We have a variety of hardworking community groups that provide important services across our Municipality. Many have struggled this past year with an inability to fundraise due to public health restrictions. Council is pleased to be able to support these organizations, especially during such challenging times,” remarked Mayor Blair.

Each year the County’s operating budget is set within a context of competing needs, requests, opportunities, and anticipated revenues. Some costs and revenue streams are not within the Municipality’s control. Nearly 46% of taxes collected by the Municipality are transferred to the Provincial Government for services such as schools, housing, libraries, assessment services, corrections, and policing.  This year the County had to accommodate another 3% increase totalling $438,539 in its required mandatory payments to the Province, bringing the total transfer to $14.9 Million.  Such rising costs have made the budgeting process more and more demanding with each given year.

Recognizing the uncertainty of the pandemic and what each day may bring, Colchester County Council remains committed to fiscal stewardship and is optimistic that in partnership with its residents and businesses they will see brighter days ahead.