Department & Staff

Community Development provides the link between how land is used, where development happens and how our community responds and thrives as a result. The Community Development Department works to create active, healthy, sustainable communities through engagement with the residents of Bridgewater and progressive planning practices. There are four functional areas of the Department:

1. Land Use & Development Control
2. Recreation 
3. Sustainability & Energize Bridgewater
4. Fire Inspection

Jessica McDonald, Director of Community Development and Energize Bridgewater 
902-541-4368
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The Director of Community Development is responsible for the overall management of the Town’s Planning, Sustainability and Recreation Services  which includes strategic and long-term community and land use  planning, project management, development review and control, sustainability, recreation programming, special projects  and GIS services. The position is responsible to ensure the Department is aligned with Council and Organizational Priorities, developmental and capacity building of departmental staff, and financial management of the department budgets and plans.  If you have any questions regarding planning and development, recreation or sustainability in Bridgewater, please do not hesitate to contact the Director.

Nick Brown, Manager of Planning & Development Services / Development Officer
902-541-4369
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The Development Officer is responsible for administering the Town's Land Use By-Law, Subdivision By-Law, Sidewalk Cafe By-law, Vending By-law and Land Leased Community By-Law, and issues Development Permits.  The Development Officer is the first stop for anyone thinking of developing within Bridgewater. For any questions regarding zoning / permitted uses, subdivision of land, small-scale business uses or signage, please contact the Development Officer directly. 

Mackenzie Childs, Planner II 
902-530-4081
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The Planner II is responsible for administering the Town's Municipal Planning Strategy and Active Transportation Plan, and provides technical assistance and planning support for many long-term strategic initiatives such as public transit and downtown revitalization. For any questions related to planning applications for development agreements or rezonings, please contact the Planner II directly. 

Connor MacQuarrie, Planner/Development Officer
902-521-2582
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The Planner/Development Officer provides subject matter expertise to planning services, leads and manages planning assignments or departmental projects based on Town Council’s strategic priorities. The Planner/Development Officer is also responsible for implementing and administering the Town’s policies and regulations, respecting land use and development, including the Municipal Planning Strategy, Land Use By-law, Subdivision By-law, and Heritage By-law. For any questions related to this position, please contact the Planner/Development officer directly.

Sana Karami, Planner I
902-541-4384
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The Planner I is responsible for administering the Town's Municipal Planning Strategy and Open Space Plan and provides technical assistance and planning support for long-term projects such as recreation, placemaking, and the Planning Document Review Process. For any questions related to the Open Space Plan, please contact the Planner I directly.

Kara Highfield, Recreation & Active Communities Coordinator
902-541-4367
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Recreation Coordinator is responsible for the ongoing planning, development, implementation and evaluation of all sport, recreation, active and healthy living and leisure programs offered by the Town for people of all ages and abilities. If you have any questions about opportunities you want to participate in or offer to the community, please reach out to our Recreation Coordinator directly. 

Chris Sanford, Community Gardens Coordinator
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The Community Garden Coordinator oversees Bridgewater Community Garden projects i.e. Hodge Podge Community Garden, Incredible Edible Bridgewater, Edible Trees Bridgewater and The Bee's Needs Pollinator Garden. Any questions about how to get involved, please reach out directly.

Rosemary Erb, Administrative Assistant - Recreation
902-543-2274
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The Administrative Assistant provides frontline service to customers and members of the public and administrative support services for the Recreation team. This includes public enquiries, reception, recreation bookings, committee and communication support. If you have a general question about recreation services, contact our front desk.

Pam Adams, Administrative Assistant - Planning & Building
902-541-4371
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The Administrative Assistant provides frontline service to customers and members of the public and administration support services for the Community Development Department. This includes public enquiries, reception, permit and application tracking, committee and communication support. If you have a general question about the Community Development Department, contact our front desk.

Tyler Gavas, Fire Inspector
902-530-3618
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The Town employs one fire inspector, who is appointed to act under the Fire Safety Act, the Dangerous and Unsightly Premises Section of the Municipal Government Act, and the Minimum Building Standards Bylaw. The Fire Inspector is responsible for performing routine fire inspections, and the administration of any dangerous and unsightly premises concerns.

Energize Bridgewater 

Dr. Syed Asad Hussain, Senior Energy Manager
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The Senior Energy Manager is responsible to oversee the technical services being delivered by our program partner, Efficiency NS, which includes energy assessments, retrofit planning, and measurement and verification, and working closely with partners and experts. The Senior Energy manager is also the lead for the development of an advanced Energy Management Information System (EMIS) to provide essential energy data analytics platform to program clients. For more information, please contact the Senior Energy Manager directly. 

Leon de Vreede, Senior Policy & Program Planner 
902-541-4390
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The Senior Policy & Program Planner is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Town's Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP), Community Energy Investment Plan (CEIP, 2018)  and Energy Poverty Reduction Program (2019). Together, the CEIP and energy poverty reduction program form "Energize Bridgewater". For any questions regarding the Town's sustainability and energy work, please contact the Senior Policy & Program Planner directly.

Meghan Doucette, Planner I 
902-930-2561 
email

The Planner I provides technical assistance and information to staff and the public related to a broad range of activities required to implement the Town of Bridgewater’s Energize Bridgewater Energy Poverty Reduction program. The Planner I is also responsible for supporting the delivery of Coordinated Access services, guiding stakeholder engagement for the Energize Bridgewater project, and contributing to affordable housing initiatives lead by the Community Development Department.  

Sujata Sajan, Project Coordinator 
902-530-3614
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The Project Coordinator provides critical administrative and project management support to the Energize Bridgewater project team by ensuring efficient, timely, and accurate management of the workflows and processes of the project including task and milestone monitoring, tracking, documentation, and reporting.

Josie Rudderham, Energize Project Navigator
902-530-3621
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Josie supports Energize Bridgewater participants by building relationships, and providing accessible, trauma-informed services. When a community member wants to learn more or participate in an Energize Bridgewater program, Josie is the person who answers their email or phone call and helps them out.

Jenish Patel, Data Science Analyst
902-530-3635
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The Data Science Analyst provides analytical support to the Energize Bridgewater project team to design, develop, and manage the community-wide Energy Management Information System (EMIS). The Data Science Analyst is responsible for designing database systems and management tools, aiding in the development of intelligence solutions to improve efficiency, and managing IT systems to troubleshoot errors and ensure end-user satisfaction.