RESEARCH PROJECT IN GLEN ALLAN PARK
>>> Updated start date now January 17, 2024

Natural Resources Environmental Technology students from the Nova Scotia Community College will be carrying out a research project beginning January 17, 2024, in Glen Allan Park in Bridgewater.

As part of an inventory, students will be measuring the diameter of hemlock trees, studying tree health, and looking for signs of the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA).

The data collected will help assess how many trees in Glen Allan Park are affected by the HWA and the extent of the infestation.

Park users can expect to see red or yellow flagging tape tied around some trees during the work - this allows the students to keep track of which trees have been examined. These trees are NOT being marked for cutting. Please do NOT remove any of the flagging tape you may see while using the park.

Glen Allan Park's Storybook Trail will have more information about the HWA for park users to read and some public notices about the ongoing research project will be placed on site as well.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID?
You can learn more about this invasive species at https://www.nshemlock.ca/.

RESEARCH PROJECT IN GLEN ALLAN PARK
Natural Resources Environmental Technology students from the Nova Scotia Community College will be carrying out a research project beginning January 11, 2024, in Glen Allan Park in Bridgewater.

As part of an inventory, students will be measuring the diameter of hemlock trees, studying tree health, and looking for signs of the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). The data collected will help assess how many trees in Glen Allan Park are affected by the HWA and the extent of the infestation.

Park users can expect to see red or yellow flagging tape tied around some trees during the work - this allows the students to keep track of which trees have been examined. These trees are NOT being marked for cutting.

Glen Allan Park's Storybook Trail will have more information about the HWA for park users to read and some public notices about the ongoing research project will be placed on site as well.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID?
You can learn more about this invasive species at https://www.nshemlock.ca/.

SIDEWALK ACCESS NOTICE >>> HIGH STREET

(Issued Tuesday, October 24, 2023)

The public is advised that the contractor carrying out the infrastructure project on High Street will need to close sidewalk access in the work area beginning on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, through until at least Friday.

Portions of the existing sidewalk are being temporarily removed during this phase of the work, making it unsafe for pedestrians.

For pedestrians who would use this corridor to travel "through" the area, please detour off Victoria Road via Baker, Greenwood, Nauss, and Murray to Empire Street.

"Local" access for people who live or are going to a business in the work area will be provided. Please check in with contractor staff as you enter the site to ensure you can proceed safely in a specific temporary walking area.

Additional updates on the timeline will be shared as they become available.

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
>>> Public event to take place in Bridgewater on October 2, 2023

The National Day For Truth and Reconciliation is September 30. A special event is once again being planned by Acadia First Nation and members of the Mi'kmaq community in Bridgewater to recognize the significance of this day, and the Town of Bridgewater is proud to be a supporting partner for the event.

The public is invited to come to Pijinuiskaq Park on King Street in Downtown Bridgewater on Monday, October 2, 2023, beginning at 11 a.m. to participate in an educational and interactive experience that will amplify the voices of Indigenous people.

The event schedule, subject to change, will include:

11:00 a.m. to 12 noon

➡ Live music from Thomas O'Leary (A youth from Wasoqopa'q First Nation)

➡ Interactive experiences including a table set up for a Waltes, a Mi'kmaq game: https://www.cbu.ca/indigenous-affairs/mikmaq-resource-centre/miscellany/the-game-of-waltes/ )

12 noon to 12:30 p.m.

➡ Waltes history and demonstration

➡ Kojua demonstration with James Jermey

➡ Tobacco Ties table for the public to make their own prayer ties

12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

➡ Mi'kmaq Honour Song

➡ Remarks from Barb Sylvester, Denise DiGiosia, and Natteal Battiste

➡ Smudging Ceremony

1 p.m.

➡ United walk will depart Pijinuiskaq Park and complete a walk in and around Downtown Bridgewater - you can view the planned route here: https://www.explorebridgewater.ca/map/see-and-do/walking-loops/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation

We invite you to share this message and welcome you to join us on Monday, October 2, as we gather to mark the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation in Bridgewater.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Town Hall Tower Lights have been changed to orange for a 14-day period to recognize and honour the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation. The Town has also once again placed numerous banners on lamp posts in Downtown Bridgewater as a visual reminder to honour and remember the Survivors of residential schools, the children who never returned home, and their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

To learn more, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html.

There will be a brief Special Meeting of Bridgewater Town Council on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, just prior to the regularly scheduled Discussion Session. The meeting is to receive a time-sensitive flag-flying request, per Town of Bridgewater Policy 81.

As usual, the meeting will be made available via livestream and open to the public at Town Hall, located at 60 Pleasant Street in Bridgewater.

STORM WASTE NOTICE

Our colleagues at the Municipal Joint Services Board and the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre wish to advise that any storm debris and organic waste that wasn't collected on September 25, 2023, as part of your regular pickup day will instead be collected on September 26.

Residents are also reminded that bundling and tying branches makes it easier for the waste hauler to collect your tree waste.

Questions? Call 1-855-530-3324.

HEBB LAKE DAM UPDATE
(Issued at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2023)

Water levels across the province continue to be higher then normal.

While Hebb Lake Dam remains within its normal operating range, the Public Service Commission of Bridgewater (PSCB) is going to proactively carry out an additional gradual release water to allow the dam to transition into its normal winter operating range slightly earlier than normal.

Doing so will ensure that there is sufficient space for any upcoming hurricanes or severe rain events that might impact our region.

As part of this process, the PSCB will remove a log from the dam on Thursday, September 21, 2023 -- this will bring the total logs removed to two. The PSCB had previously removed a log on August 23, 2023, also for the purposes of allowing a slow release of water.

There will be a special waste collection for storm debris in the Town of Bridgewater during the week of September 25 to 29, 2023. Collection will take place on your regular pickup day.

Collection Guidelines:

✅ Maximum 4 cu yards (3 cubic metres) of material per household

✅ Maximum weight per piece of landfill waste: 100 lbs

✅ Maximum length per piece: 6 feet

Bundling, tying, and putting small items in boxes makes it easier for the waste hauler to collect your waste. Place waste curbside by 8:00 am on collection day.

Hazardous waste cannot be collected during this pickup. These items must be taken to the Recycling Centre's hazardous waste depot at 908 Mullock Road, Whynotts Settlement.

You can also visit www.communityrecycling.ca for more information.

PUBLIC UPDATE >>> PARKS, TRAILS, AND MORE UPDATES
(Issued at 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, 2023)

TRAILS AND PARKS IN BRIDGEWATER
Parks staff have advised that trails and parks have been assessed and there are no major safety concerns. The public may resume use of parks and trails in Bridgewater, with the understanding that they are passable with caution as there still may be some small debris in places.

SPORTS FIELDS AND DOCKS
Bridgewater's sports fields and public docks on the LaHave River will re-open on Monday.

CEMETERY
Brookside Cemetery will remain closed until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, September 18, to allow for additional clean up.

Thanks to our crews for their outstanding work and dedication over the last 48 hours.

REPORTING OUTSTANDING ISSUES
You can report any outstanding storm issues online at www.bridgewater.ca/bee or by calling the Public Works line at 902-543-4142.

PAVEMENT RENEWAL WORK STARTS THIS WEEK
>>> Bridgewater's annual pavement renewal work will begin the week of September 18

The Town of Bridgewater will be coordinating pavement renewal projects with a contractor, Dexter Construction Ltd., including planing and paving, in many areas of the community for approximately three weeks, beginning around the week of September 18, 2023.

In total, the Town of Bridgewater has allocated approximately $600,000 toward pavement renewal this year. That budget does not include several hundred-thousand dollars in allocations for new streets or project areas where underground infrastructure work is taking place.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Work is weather dependent. Each section of street will take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to complete. Generally, planing work will take place first and motorists should slow down and use caution when crossing the lip/drop between a planed area and regular pavement. The work will include traffic being controlled with traffic control personnel.

Every effort will be made to minimize the disruption to residents and businesses in order to complete the work, however motorists are advised to expect delays when travelling throughout Bridgewater during the work and to allow for extra travel time accordingly.

SPECIAL NEEDS
Individuals with special needs who may be uniquely impacted by this project should contact the Project Manager as soon as possible to make them aware of your situation. We will work with you in an attempt to minimize your inconvenience as much as possible.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact the Town of Bridgewater Engineering Department at 902-541-4370 or you can reach out to project manager Justin Penny at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Visit www.bridgewater.ca/roads for a map of all work sites.

UPCOMING SENIORS' SAFETY ACADEMY

The Seniors' Safety Academy is back for the fall of 2023, with sessions taking place every Thursday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Our Health Centre in Chester, starting on October 12.

Seniors are invited to come and learn from experts, including RCMP, Legal Aid lawyers, and the Alzheimer Society.

Topics will include:

Fraud & scam prevention
Wills & power of attorney
Seniors' mental health
Alzheimer's and dementia
Emergency preparedness
... and more!

Spots are limited and registration is required to attend these weekly events, which run through November 16.

You can register by contacting the Lunenburg County Seniors' Safety Program office by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 902-543-3567.

The sessions will take place at Our Health Centre, located at 3769 Highway 3 in Chester.

The Seniors' Safety Academy is made possible by Our Health Centre, the Lunenburg County Seniors' Safety Program, Bridgewater Police Service, and the Nova Scotia RCMP.

FALL WOOD & METAL COLLECTION WEEK
>>> September 11 to 15, 2023, in Bridgewater

It's that time of year -- time to clean up the wood and metal that's been hanging around your property and get it out for the upcoming special wood and metal waste collection.

Wood and metal items will be collected on the following dates in these areas:

Town of Bridgewater
➡️ Monday, September 11, to Friday, September 15, on your regular collection day

Town of Mahone Bay
➡️ Monday, September 11 - the entire Town

Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL)
➡️ Monday, September 18, to Friday, September 29, on your regular collection day

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Wood and metal combined collection limits by weight or size are:
➡️ Bridgewater: 100 kgs (220 lbs)
➡️ Mahone Bay: 2 cubic metres (2.6 cubic yards)
➡️ MODL: 4 cubic metres (5.2 cubic yards)

Place wood and metal in separate piles at the roadside. Wood and metal items up to 1.8 m (6 ft.) long accepted.

Remove spikes and brackets over 15 cms (6 in.) from wood pieces.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Objects such as fridges, freezers, dehumidifiers, conditioners, and water coolers are not collected curbside unless professionally drained and stickered. Propane are tanks not accepted curbside. Drop these off at the Recycling Centre, 908 Mullock Road, Whynotts Settlement, free of charge.

Two bulky landfill items (up to 6 ft long and 220 lbs each) can be collected on your regular garbage collection days throughout the year in Bridgewater, Mahone Bay, and the Municipality of Lunenburg. Hazardous waste items not collected curbside.

Questions? Call our colleagues at the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre at 902-543-2991 or visit www.communityrecycling.ca.