On Monday, October 21, 2024, the Town of Bridgewater welcomed the world as our community of about 9,000 residents played host to partners of the International Network of Michelin Cities (INMC) and the organization celebrated the launch of the new INMC Corridor of Incubators Agreement.

"The International Network of Michelin Cities plays an important part in Bridgewater's place at both the national and international table," explained Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell.

"The signing of the Corridor of Incubators Agreement further demonstrates Bridgewater's commitment not only to growing the local economy but doing so by attracting and scaling up sustainable and innovative business," he added.

"I am thrilled that Bridgewater once again leads the way by being a founding signatory of this agreement with our Canadian sister locations in Pictou County and Magog, Quebec."

A delegation from INMC founding city, Clermont-Ferrand, France, led by that city's Deputy Mayor Jérôme Auslender, arrived in Bridgewater on Sunday night for the event.

The day-long visit included a morning meet and greet at Town Hall with Mayor Mitchell, the new Town Council-elect, and staff. The visiting delegation then travelled to the Michelin Bridgewater facility for a full tour.

From there, a luncheon was hosted at the NSCC Lunenburg Campus in Bridgewater where the INMC Corridor of Incubators Agreement was officially launched.

Guests included the Honourable Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and MLA Lunenburg West, Municipality of the District of Lunenburg Mayor-elect Elspeth McLean-Wile, Town of Lunenburg Mayor-elect Jamie Myra, along with representation from Invest NS, the Nova Scotia Community College, the Pictou County Partnership, Valley Regional Enterprise Network, Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce, Lunenburg Board of Trade, and many members of the local business community.

Joining the Town of Bridgewater among the initial seven agreement signatories from Canada are Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and the City of Magog, Quebec. European signatories include the cities of Clermont-Ferrand, France; Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Braga, Portugal; and Regensburg, Germany.  

The international agreement establishes a corridor to facilitate partnerships among INMC cities to host innovative start-ups and create an opportunity for them to expand internationally.

"We now have a direct connection for our existing businesses here in Bridgewater that will support business growth and development as the International Network of Michelin Cities expands from the original seven members to 23 locations around the world," said Donna Hatt, the Town of Bridgewater's Economic Development Officer.

"It's great for the region and it's great for our businesses in particular."

NOVA SCOTIA MUNICIPAL ELECTION - ELECTION FOR BRIDGEWATER TOWN COUNCIL
The 2024 Nova Scotia Municipal Election concluded with the close of polls at 7 p.m. local time on Saturday, October 19, 2024.  

ELECTORAL RESULTS
The official results from the Town of Bridgewater Returning Office are as follows:

MAYOR
David Mitchell was acclaimed as Mayor of the Town of Bridgewater.

TOWN COUNCIL
The results for the candidates competing for the six Town Council seats in the Town of Bridgewater in the 2024 Municipal Election are listed below in order according to the total votes each candidate received.

The top six candidates, highlighted in bold, have been elected to Bridgewater Town Council for the 2024 to 2028 term.

Cheryl Fougere - 1,504

Stacey Colwell - 1,456

Jennifer McDonald - 1,343

Eric Whynot - 1,303

Mike Conklin- 1,209

Braden Newell - 1,092

Donette Getson - 962

Jane Morrell - 763

David Carter - 634

Total number of eligible electors in Bridgewater in 2024 was 7,158. A total of 2,154 ballots were cast, representing 30.1% of eligible voters.

We invite and encourage the entire community to sincerely thank each of the nine residents who put their names forward as candidates, dedicating their time, energy, and enthusiasm to canvassing door to door, meeting with residents, participating in candidate forums, and much more.

📣 CENTENNIAL TRAIL BRIDGE SET TO RE-OPEN LATER TODAY

The Town of Bridgewater team working on the restoration of the Centennial Trail Bridge has completed its work ahead of schedule. Some additional landscaping work around the bridge site is being completed today and this section of the Centennial Trail, including the bridge, is expected to fully re-open to public use at about 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon.

A total of 27 new treated bridge timbers, as well as new decking and railing, have been installed following the fire on the bridge this summer.

We wish to express our enthusiastic thanks to all the staff who worked on this project (part of the project team is pictured in the photo included with this post), both on site and behind the scenes - your hard work made re-opening this important trail corridor for our community possible.

The Town would also like to once again extend its thanks to Buck's Home Building Centre, which donated a total of about $4,600 in building materials to support the reconstruction of the bridge decking and railing.

Again, thank you to everyone who worked on this important project!

WOODLAND GARDENS HEMLOCK CONSERVATION UPDATE

The Town of Bridgewater's Hemlock Conservation team will begin work next week, around October 15, on Sections 4 and 5 at Woodland Gardens at the east end of the park in the Duck Pond area. Some additional work also remains in Section 3, which runs from the pond northward parallel with Parkdale Avenue.

Signage and barricades will be in place in the park alerting users to which areas are closed to public access as work proceeds. It is extremely important for the safety of park users to abide by any signage or closure barricades that you encounter, and avoid entering any active conservation work areas.

SECTION 1 > COMPLETED

Southwest end of the trail/park off Exhibition Drive extending toward Elizabeth Avenue. This closure has been extended to Wednesday, September 11, to allow for work to be completed.

SECTION 2 > COMPLETED

South-central portion of the park, extending from Elizabeth Avenue to the pond, extending south to the Fern Avenue/Jubilee Road area. This area will include the Tiny Tots Playground area next to the O'Regan's Subaru Outdoor Swimming Pool.

SECTION 3 > MOSTLY COMPLETED

North side portion of the park, extending from the pond northward toward Walnut Street, running parallel with Parkdale Avenue.

SECTION 4 > STARTING WEEK OF OCTOBER 15

North side of the park, extending from the pond northward toward Crescent Street and Park Street.

SECTION 5 > STARTING WEEK OF OCTOBER 15

South side of the park, extending from the pond southward toward Jubilee Road and eastward toward Alexandra Avenue. the Town This area will include the space that borders on the meadow to the rear of DesBrisay Museum.

These dates are tentative and weather dependent. If closure dates need to be extended as a result of weather conditions, additional updates will be provided to the public.

For more information about Bridgewater's Hemlock Conservation Project, please visit www.bridgewater.ca/HWA.

A day filled with fun activities to get you in the Halloween spirit!
📆Saturday, October 26, 2024

📍Woodland Gardens, behind the DesBrisay Museum, 130 Jubilee Road, Bridgewater

🎃 PUMPKIN CARVING DROP-IN 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Carve a pumpkin in anticipation of the Magical Pumpkin Path Contest! We will have pumpkins and tools to help you create your prize winning pumpkin or you can bring your own and avoid making a mess at home. Bring a donation to PROKids! Pumpkins for carving will be available on a first come first serve basis, while supplies last. Children must be accompanied by an adult. You can register your pumpkin in person for the pumpkin walk then come back for judging and pick-up in the evening.

🎃🏃‍♀️MAGICAL PUMPKIN PATH CONTEST 5:00 PM- 8:15 PM
Walk through a magical world of carved pumpkins glowing in the night! Get a ballot and vote for your favorite Jack-o'-lantern or enter your creation and add it to the path! Register your pumpkin before 5:00 pm and pick your spot along the path. Bring a donation to PROKids! Voting ends at 7:45 pm. Pick up your pumpkin and find out the winner at the end of the movie 8:15 pm!
🏆Adult 18+ prize $50 Bridgewater Farmers Market Money!
🏆Youth 10-17 prize $50 Bridgewater Farmers Market Money!
🏆Kids 0-9 prize $50 Bridgewater Farmers Market Money!

RSVP for this event by clicking here.

📽🍿FRESH AIR FILMS OUTDOOR MOVIE 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM
Disney Pixar's COCO will be played on a giant outdoor screen! Bring a lawn chair and a blanket to keep warm! Snacks & hot cider available with a donation to PROKids!

💡✨GLOW WALK! 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Join us for a nighttime walking exploration around the duck pond. The walking path will be illuminated with sparkling lights, and glow sticks will be provided. Feel free to bring a flashlight and roam freely with friends and family!
Image Description: Event poster with images of dancing skeletons, pumpkins, and COCO movie logo, all the same information as this post.

The Town of Bridgewater Candidates Forum took place on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Bridgewater Royal Canadian Legion. The event was proudly presented by the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Town of Bridgewater.

Host for the evening was the Chamber's Executive Director Jennifer Naugler. The forum was moderated by Sal Falk of the Lunenburg Barnacle.

To learn more about the election and candidates in Bridgewater, please visit www.bridgewater.ca/election24.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

>>> Another "Meet the Candidates" session this Saturday

Are you interested in getting some one-on-one time with the candidates for the 2024 Municipal Election here in the Town of Bridgewater? Then this is your chance!

Join them tomorrow, Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DesBrisay Museum for a meet-and-greet style session where you'll have the chance to circle the room and meet many of the candidates for Town Council seats in this October's election.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?

If you'd like to know more about each of the candidates who will appear on the ballot in Bridgewater, you can check out the bios provided by each candidate at www.bridgewater.ca/candidates and, for complete election information, you can visit www.bridgewater.ca/election24.

We invite you to share this message.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCLAMATION >>> RIGHT TO KNOW WEEK

WHEREAS the Town of Bridgewater has adopted the principles of openness, transparency and accountability; and

WHEREAS Part XX of the Municipal Government Act gives citizens a right of access to information in the custody or under the control of the Town of Bridgewater; and

WHEREAS access to information ensures citizens of Nova Scotia have the opportunity for meaningful participation in the democratic process; and

WHEREAS a celebration of the right of citizens to access information will facilitate informed public participation in policy formulation, ensure fairness in government decision-making and permit the airing and reconciliation of divergent views; and

WHEREAS the Town of Bridgewater joins all other Canadian jurisdictions and democracies world-wide in acknowledging international Right to Know Week;

THEREFORE be it resolved that Town Council for the Town of Bridgewater hereby proclaims September 23 to September 29, 2024, be Right to Know Week in the Town of Bridgewater.

Signed this 9th day of September, 2024, at Bridgewater, in the County of Lunenburg, in the Province of Nova Scotia.

UPDATED >>> UPCOMING HEMLOCK CONSERVATION-RELATED CLOSURES AT WOODLAND GARDENS
The Town of Bridgewater's Hemlock Conservation team will begin work in Woodland Gardens in early September as part of the next phase of efforts to protect our community's Hemlock trees against the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid species.

Work in the park will take approximately one month to complete and, as a result, specific sections of Woodland Gardens will be closed to public access on a week-by-week basis. The portions of the park where work is not actively underway will remain open to public use.

Signage and barricades will be placed in the park alerting users to which areas are closed to public access as work proceeds. It is extremely important for the safety of park users to abide by any signage or closure barricades that you encounter, and avoid entering any active conservation work areas.

SECTION 1 > September 3 to 11, 2024 COMPLETED
Southwest end of the trail/park off Exhibition Drive extending toward Elizabeth Avenue. This closure has been extended to Wednesday, September 11, to allow for work to be completed.

SECTION 2 > September 10 - 22, 2024 COMPLETED
South-central portion of the park, extending from Elizabeth Avenue to the pond, extending south to the Fern Avenue/Jubilee Road area. This area will include the Tiny Tots Playground area next to the O'Regan's Subaru Outdoor Swimming Pool.

SECTION 3 > September 23 - October 2, 2024
ONGOING / ACTIVE WORK
North side portion of the park, extending from the pond northward toward Walnut Street, running parallel with Parkdale Avenue.

SECTION 4 > DATE TBD
North side of the park, extending from the pond northward toward Crescent Street and Park Street.

SECTION 5 > DATE TBD
South side of the park, extending from the pond southward toward Jubilee Road and eastward toward Alexandra Avenue. the Town This area will include the space that borders on the meadow to the rear of DesBrisay Museum.

These dates are tentative and weather dependent. If closure dates need to be extended as a result of weather conditions, additional updates will be provided to the public.

The following are tentative dates that we have planned closures if the weather is in our favour, if the weather isn't, then we might have to extend the closures.

For more information about Bridgewater's Hemlock Conservation Project, please visit www.bridgewater.ca/HWA.

NOVA SCOTIA POWER OUTAGE ADVISORY
>>> Issued at 11:17 a.m., July 19, 2024

Per Nova Scotia Power, there will be an emergency outage taking place in the Bridgewater area shortly. The outage is expected to last about 30 minutes in duration.

This outage will allow NSP crews to safely repair equipment at the substation in the area.

Please visit https://www.nspower.ca/outages for more information.

BRIDGEWATER TRANSIT - NEW SERVICE HOURS ADDED
>>> Transit will now offer service later on Friday nights and on Sundays

Bridgewater Transit has come a long way since the service was launched as a pilot project back in September of 2017. What started off with two well-used buses, gifted to our community by Halifax Regional Municipality, has become a thriving and critical service to many of Bridgewater's residents.

Now, as we approach the 7^th anniversary of Transit service in our community's 125^th anniversary year, the Town of Bridgewater is excited to announce that we're adding additional hours to the service for at least the next year.

Starting this week, Bridgewater Transit's Friday service will be extended later into the evening by three hours. Previously, transit ran from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays. Moving forward, Friday service will now run from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Transit will also now operate in our community on Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning this week, providing an entire additional day of service.

"Transit in Bridgewater has become a core service and one that directly positively impacts so many of our people," said Mayor David Mitchell. "Extending hours and the addition of Sunday service will make Bridgewater Transit even more accessible to those who have come to rely on it."

TRANSIT BY THE NUMBERS
Since Bridgewater Transit began service in 2017, as of July 8, 2024, a total of 194,719 rides have been provided by the bus.

That's an average of about 27,000 rides per year, or on average 92 riders per day over 2,106 total days of passenger service provided to date.

You can track the bus online in real-time on our Transit Tracker map at www.bridgewater.ca/bus or in the Town of Bridgewater app, available for download for free at www.bridgewater.ca/app.

CANADA DAY LOCATION CHANGES ANNOUNCED

>>> Forecast rainfall means Multicultural Festival and Kitchen Party will both be moving indoors to the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre

With rain in the forecast for Monday, July 1, Canada Day on the LaHave will be moving indoors to the LCLC, located at 135 North Park Street in Bridgewater.

The festivities will start with the South Shore Multicultural Association's Multicultural Festival, which will run from 11 to about 4 p.m. Opening ceremonies and an official welcome will take place at approximately 12:30 p.m.

The King Street Kitchen Party will become the TOB125 Kitchen Party and will follow the Multicultural Festival in the Galleria at the LCLC from 4 to 8 p.m.

Performers and activities for the day include:

MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL >>>

Dance, family and children's activities, craft vendors, food trucks, and, including:

- The Chinese Arts and Culture Society

- Bridgewater Fire Department Band

- Wontanara Drum and Dance

- James Jermey - Ko'jua Dancer

- Jayson Surette - Grass Dancer

- Miranda Roy - Jingle Dancer

- The Behrooz Mihankhah Quartet

- Oasis Belly Dancers

- Agni Bollywood Dance Crew

TOB125 KITCHEN PARTY >>>

- LIVE MUSIC with Donna & Andy, Kaylyn turner, Amanda Riley, and 3 AM

- Baggles the Clown

- Halifax Henna

- The Pirates of Halifax, made possible by The Peeler Family in loving memory of their son, and former Town of Bridgewater Events Coordinator, Alex Peeler

- Games on the Go

- Sparkle Tattoos with Norena's Glitter Girls

- Discovery Centre mobile exhibits

- BBQ hosted by Rick Perkins form 5 to 7 p.m.

- Girl Guides Smores fundraiser

- Bridgewater Lions Club will be on site with FREE popcorn

FREE TRANSIT SERVICE will also still be offered from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. thanks to the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce.

For more info, visit www.bridgewater.ca/canada. We invite you to share this message.