Debt Collection

The province is in the process of setting up a debt collection system on behalf of municipalities. Amendments have have introduced to the Municipal Government Act to give the province the legal authority to collect debts owed to municipalities for public utility bills or by-law infractions. There is about 8 million dollars in outstanding fines owed to municipalities. The Region of Queens would like to see the legislation go a step further. Mayor John Leefe says in the event a person does not pay their fine, the municipality would be able to put a lien against any real property owned by the person until the judgement is satisfied. The Region is asking the Minister of Service Nova Scotia to approve its amendments to be included in the MGA. There is about 8 million dollars in outstanding fines owed to municipalities. Each year, the debt collection unit of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations collects over 15 million on behalf of provincial departments and agencies.

Bridgewater Draft Budget

The Town of Bridgewater hopes to table its budget and set the tax rate by May 10th. A draft copy was released at Council's briefing session Monday night and is proposing a hike in both residential and commercial tax rates. The current residential rate is set at $1.628 per one hundred dollars of assessment while the commercial rate is $3.72. Council is encouraging public input on the draft budget and there are still a couple of meetings before the figures are finalized.

Earth Day Challenge

Tomorrow is your chance to make a difference as the earth day challenge returns.

To participate all you need to do is register your team by calling the Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre or the Municipality of Chester.

Call 543-2991 (Lunenburg Regional Community Recycling Centre) or 275-3554 (Municipality of Chester) or visit http://www.modl.ca/recycling_-_home/index.html

N.S. Gun Amnesty

There is still time to turn in unwanted guns and ammunition to the police during the province's gun amnesty this month. Until the end of April RCMP will pick up unwanted guns and ammunition in a step to make Nova Scotia a safer place.

For residents in the Bridgewater area you can contact your local RCMP detachment at 527-5555