Village of New Minas Adopts
2026–2029 Strategic Plan
The Village of New Minas has adopted its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, providing a roadmap to guide decision-making and community priorities over the next four years. The plan focuses on enhancing community wellness, maintaining fiscal responsibility, supporting sustainable growth and development, and promoting New Minas as a vibrant place to live, work, shop, and visit. Key initiatives include improving parks and trails, investing in infrastructure, strengthening partnerships, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the Village's identity through community engagement and marketing efforts. The Strategic Plan will help guide future projects and investments while ensuring the Village continues to meet the needs of residents and businesses.
Regional Sewer Treatment Plant Update
Update on Regional Sewer starting at minute 38
At a recent Municipality of the County of Kings Council meeting, Engineering and Public Works staff provided an update on the Regional Sewer Treatment Plant and addressed the ongoing odor concerns affecting residents and businesses.
Staff explained that the lagoon-based treatment system, built more than 50 years ago, was designed to handle residential and light commercial wastewater. Today, the facility is receiving significantly stronger industrial and commercial wastewater than it was originally designed for, placing added stress on the biological treatment process. While the plant continues to treat wastewater safely and generally meets environmental requirements, these increased loads can lead to unpleasant odors, particularly during warmer weather when water temperatures rise.
To help reduce odors, the Municipality has invested in additional aeration equipment, upgraded compressors, added diffusers, removed accumulated sludge, and increased monitoring and maintenance. While these improvements have helped reduce the frequency and severity of odor events, staff acknowledged that they are not a permanent solution.
The long-term solution is the development of a new or significantly upgraded wastewater treatment facility. Engineering consultants are currently evaluating treatment options, facility location, and future capacity needs. Preliminary design work is expected in 2027, with detailed design to follow. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2027 or early 2028, pending approvals and funding.
Municipal staff recognized the frustration these odors have caused residents and emphasized that they are committed to operating the current system as effectively as possible while planning for a modern facility that will better meet the region's future wastewater treatment needs.
From Mayor Jodi Mackay - Town of Wolfville
Wolfville Fire DepartmentOur dedicated volunteer firefighters continue to serve our community with incredible commitment.
• 113 incidents responded to year-to-date
• Over 2,000 incident hours logged
• More than 1,800 training hours completed this year
• Members have also been active in local schools, community events, and supported the Horton Grad Parade.
Protecting Our Infrastructure
Public Works has begun an enhanced catch basin cleaning program using new equipment and GIS technology. This allows crews to track maintenance, identify needed repairs, and better plan future work—helping reduce localized flooding and improve our stormwater system.
Community Wellbeing
Summer is in full swing!
• The Recreation Hub has already loaned out more than 450 bicycles.
• The Community Farm is flourishing with summer programming underway.
• Our Summer Concert Series, Salsa by the Sea, and Come-On Down Open Mic are bringing people together at the waterfront.
• Congratulations to Mackayla Townsend, winner of Wolfville's first Art Love Tour competition!
Mud Creek Days Returns July 24–26
One of Wolfville's favourite summer traditions is almost here! Enjoy live music, fireworks, the Heartland Tour cycling event, community spaghetti supper, and the always-popular Mud Challenge. We hope to see everyone out celebrating!
Planning for Growth
Development continues across Wolfville with several new housing projects approved and others currently under review. At the same time, Council remains committed to ensuring growth is balanced with preserving the character and heritage that make our town unique.
Urban Forest & ParksWe're continuing to invest in our green spaces by:
• Treating Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Rawding Ravine.
• Planning new tree plantings throughout town.
• Completing the new playground at West End Park, with shade structures, pathways and landscaping still to come.
• Planning improvements at Basin Drive Park, Olsen Pond, and Reservoir Park.
Safer Streets
Our Safer Streets Initiative is now underway. Thank you to Council members who helped deliver information to neighbourhoods. Residents are encouraged to participate in the survey on Wolfville Blooms and help shape future traffic calming and road safety improvements.
Public Works Highlights
Crews have been busy with:
• Street sweeping and catch basin cleaning.
• Pothole repairs.
• New speed bumps and line painting.
• Storm grate repairs.
• Tennis court lighting upgrades.
• Reservoir Park bathroom repairs and ongoing maintenance throughout town.
Environmental Services
We're continuing to invest in reliable infrastructure with:
• Reservoir Park algae control pilot project.
• Water system monitoring upgrades.
• Lift station improvement planning.
• Security fencing at wastewater facilities.
Soups & Sides
Another successful season wrapped up with nearly 3,000 guests served. Thank you to the many volunteers who make this welcoming community program possible.
Town Hall Improvements
This summer we'll also see upgrades to Council Chambers to improve accessibility, create a better meeting experience, and modernize our audio-visual system.
Finally, thank you to everyone who continues to attend Council meetings, ask thoughtful questions, and share ideas. Whether it's traffic safety, infrastructure, parks, housing, or preserving Wolfville's unique character, your input helps shape the future of our community.
As always, thank you to our dedicated Town staff, volunteers, firefighters, and community partners for everything you do to make Wolfville such a wonderful place to call home.
https://wolfville.ca/news-and-notices
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Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Odour Update
The Municipality of the County of Kings is working with Regional Partners to upgrade equipment and infrastructure at the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in New Minas, with the goal of reducing the severity and duration of odours that can impact our communities.
Engineering Studies Underway
Engineering consultants are working on a preliminary design examining the current and future needs of the entire wastewater collection and treatment system from Greenwich to Coldbrook. The resulting engineering report will include recommendations for the overall optimization of the Regional system.
The contract for the in-depth engineering report was awarded to CBCL through a procurement process in February 2025. It is anticipated the report, including recommendations for process improvements and technology upgrades, will be submitted this summer.
Priorities for 2026-27 Fiscal Year:
The following projects are planned for 2026-27 to enhance the treatment process and extend the useful life of critical assets:
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Remove sludge from Lagoons 3, 4 and 5 to improve airflow in the treatment and finishing ponds, remove built-up biosolids (sludge) contributing to problematic odours, and expand the capacity of the lagoons
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Remove geotubes storing dewatered biosolids on site
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Upgrade the drum screens wash system to improve pre-treatment filtration processes
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Continue design efforts to support the completion of engineering studies relating to the long-term needs of the Regional collection and treatment system
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Upgrade Regional lift stations to improve emergency operations, pre-treatment aeration and break up fats entering the collection system before the materials enter the treatment lagoons
The priorities for 2026-27 could change based on unexpected events, emerging needs, and the findings of the ongoing pre-design study.
https://www.countyofkings.ca/regionalsewerupdates
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Recreation Facility Development Program
The Coldbrook Community Association is receiving $75,000 through the Recreation Facility Development Program to build an outdoor pickleball facility featuring three accessible courts, creating new opportunities for residents of all ages to stay active. Elsewhere in the constituency, the Wolfville Farmers' Market Co-operative Limited is receiving $28,000 through the Community Facilities Improvement Program to install a new steel roof, helping preserve one of the Valley's best-known community gathering places.
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Wolfville council records
Residents can review recent Town Council and Committee of the Whole records, including meeting packages,
minutes and video links.
https://wolfville.ca/town-hall/town-council/minutes-agendas-and-records
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In the Community
The Coldbrook Community Association is receiving $75,000 through the Recreation Facility Development Program to build an outdoor pickleball facility featuring three accessible courts, creating new opportunities for residents of all ages to stay active. Elsewhere in the constituency, the Wolfville Farmers' Market Co-operative Limited is receiving $28,000 through the Community Facilities Improvement Program to install a new steel roof, helping preserve one of the Valley's best-known community gathering places.
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