2022 Year in Review

Happy New Year Truro! As I look back over previous years, I'm glad 2022 brought a return of some normalcy. We've been able to bring back some of our Town events, such as New Year's Eve on the Town, the Truro Long John Festival, the Easter Egg Hunt in Victoria Park, Canada Day, and summer events such as Movies in the Park and Sundays in the Park. We know how important these are to the wellbeing of our residents.

There were many highlights in 2022. It was a year of unprecedented growth in Truro and we were able to announce many new projects that the Town will be undertaking over the next few years. We also accomplished some major projects that have been in the works for years.

In 2022, we set a new record of over $50 million in private construction projects (based on building permit values). These projects are being undertaken by private businesses and investors in the Truro area. This shows great strength in our local economy.

In January, we were also able to complete our first Controlled Managed Urban Deer Hunt. This came as a result of years of data collection and Council approving the Town's Deer Management Strategy in 2021. We also continue to develop public education on our urban deer issue and urge residents to do their part in not feeding the deer in order to bring deer population numbers to an acceptable level. The second hunt was also conducted in November/December 2022. We want to thank all of our partners on this project, including NS Dept of Natural Resources and Renewables, Millbrook First Nation, Dalhousie University, Feed Nova Scotia, and our other partners, such as the hunters and processors, who all work to make this program a success.

Over the summer, we opened the much anticipated renovated pool and new splashpad in Victoria Park. Town Council has been committed to this project for the last two years, knowing the importance of allowing people to socialize and gather as we return to a state of normalcy. We also want to thank Will-Kare Paving & Contracting for their generous donation to pave the parking lots at the pool and to the entrance of Victoria Park, and the various community donations that totalled over $100,000.

The Town also announced major funding received for two recreational projects in Truro. The first was announced in July, which saw $437,000 being funded through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency towards the Railyard Mountain Bike Park as part of a total $874,000 project. This project will focus on developing the Railyard to a standard that is capable of attracting multi-day visitors to the area.

In August, $5.87 million in funding was approved through the Investing in Infrastructure Canada Fund for the TAAC Revitalization Project. When complete, this total $8.6 million project will see the former TAAC grounds split into two locations. The first location, at the existing TAAC grounds on Golf Street will see the refit of the current grounds with a multi-sport all-weather field and synthetic 8-lane track with regulation throwing areas. The second location, off Argus Drive, will see the baseball diamond relocated and upgraded to a senior-sized, championship-quality baseball field. Both projects will start construction in 2023.

Neither of these two projects would have been possible without the generous support from the community, both through financial donations and sponsorships, and through the efforts of the committees driving these projects forward.

We are also happy to be finalizing our energy and facility renewal project with Honeywell which saw several upgrades completed at Town-owned facilities. These improvements will reduce CO2 emissions by 452 tonnes per year, the equivalent of removing 153 vehicles from the road.

Certainly, the Town's greatest and proudest moment of 2022 was the part we played in hosting the National Apology to the descendants of the No. 2 Construction Battalion on July 9th. For us, the National Apology was one of the first steps toward future action. At that ceremony, Town Council committed to renaming the TAAC grounds to honour the importance of the No. 2 Construction Battalion. A permanent plaque will also be installed as part of the renovation to highlight the importance and significance of the No. 2 Construction Battalion during the First World World.

Along with our highlights and successes, the Town and its citizens have also had many challenges throughout 2022. With rising costs and the impact of inflation, along with the shortage of housing and other key goods and services, we know many have struggled throughout 2022.

This was only exasperated by the impact of Hurricane Fiona in September. At a time when so many were struggling, the impact of Hurricane Fiona was a blow that our community did not need. Along with the destruction that impacted homeowners, the Town also lost the use of the Colchester Legion Stadium and Victoria Park over the longer term. Both are major and important facilities to the community. The Town is committed to reopening both facilities, but it will still take some more time to ensure both facilities are safe for our citizens to use.

On behalf of Town Council, I want to thank our first responders and emergency crews who worked around the clock in the weeks after Hurricane Fiona to help restore the community. Also, to all of the community efforts and neighbours helping neighbours, thank you for your resilience and contributions at such an important time.

Looking forward, we're hoping to make progress on the McClures Mills Roundabout over the next year.

We're also looking forward to the former Colchester Hospital finally coming down and opening up 10 acres of land for new development. This area is primed for a mix of development, and we look forward to working with the Province to see new development on this important site.

We're hopeful that a number of the larger housing projects that Council approved in the last two years will be able to start construction and add new housing to Truro. We know the high need for housing in this community and that new housing is one key piece to addressing that challenge.

Town Council has also spent the last couple of years developing numerous plans to drive the Town forward. Town Council looks forward to the initial implementation of these plans over the next few years.

I can't say enough for all you have faced this past year. So many things are coming so fast in every direction that it is hard to stay focused some days, especially in a culture so demanding and, quite frankly, dealing with really tough issues. We are fortunate to have the volunteer and staff base to keep it all running.

In closing, I'll leave you with this quote by Helen Keller; Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

Happy New Year and stay safe.

Mayor Bill Mills Town of Truro

Beginning in 2019, the Town of Truro engaged Honeywell to provide a review of Town-owned buildings and the Town of Truro Energy and Facility Renewal project was developed and approved. Completed in 2022, this project has seen several upgrades to Town-owned facilities, which help to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and helps to address issues of deferred maintenance. This project also included improvements to the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, a cost-shared project with the Municipality of the County of Colchester.

Truro Town Council supports reducing the Town's impact on climate change and is committed to reducing the Town's carbon footprint. In 2021, the Town became a member of the Partners for Climate Protection Program through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. This program has over 500 members nationally.

The upgrades completed at Town-owned facilities will positively impact the environment and reduce CO2 emissions by 452 tonnes per year, the equivalent of removing 153 vehicles from the road.

While the total project cost to the Town of Truro was approximately $2 million, the projects are turn-key with verified savings that are guaranteed to cover the cost of the improvements over the life of the upgrades. A portion of the project was funded through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Fund – Community Building Retro Fit Initiative.

In December, the Town of Truro installed an electric vehicle charger at the public parking lot located in the Civic Square, beside the Truro Farmers' Market. With half of the funding for the project coming from the Clean Foundation EV Boost program, the Town was able to install a Level 2 charging station capable of charging two vehicles at one time. Users are able to download an app on their smartphones or pay direct at the charger by credit card. The charging station charges back to the end user at a rate of $1.50/hour for the first three hours, and $15/hour thereafter.

Throughout 2022, Staff and Council have been working to develop Truro's new and updated Community Plan. When complete, this integrated plan will include the Town's Municipal Planning Strategy, Sustainability Plan, Land Use Bylaw, and supporting documents. This plan will help shape how Truro grows and develops sustainably over the next decade and beyond. The plan will reflect action opportunities on issues informed by Truro, Let's Connect public engagement campaign that was carried out in 2021 and 2022. The new Community Plan is expected to be formally adopted by Town Council in June 2023.

The Truro Deer Management Working Group completed the second Controlled Managed Hunt in December 2022, as work continued on the implementation of the Town's Deer Management Strategy, which Truro Town Council approved in 2021.

The first Controlled Managed Hunt took place in January/February 2022, where a total of 14 deer were harvested.

The second hunt was built on the best practices developed throughout the first phase of the program. The first hunt was considered a pilot project to ensure the hunt could be carried out successfully, with strict control measures and with public safety the paramount consideration. With the first hunt a success, the Town expanded the second hunt program to include additional sites and hunters. The second hunt also saw strengthened partnerships with the Province, Millbrook First Nation, Feed Nova Scotia, and Dalhousie University.

The Town's Deer Management Working Group operates the program on as little waste as possible. Similar to the first hunt, the Working Group partnered with Feed Nova Scotia to have all meat harvested through the program donated to food banks throughout Nova Scotia. All hides were also donated to Millbrook First Nation as part of the program, and other parts of the animal are used for Provincial and National research purposes.

For the second hunt, the Town expanded its partnership with Millbrook First Nation. Millbrook managed one of the hunt sites and conducted a land-based learning program at this site for community youth and other members to help preserve knowledge related to ethical harvesting and the processing of deer. The program focused on demonstrating proper field dressing, removing a deer from the forest, and the tanning of deer hides.

The second hunt ran from mid-November until the end of December. In the end, 39 deer were harvested, providing over 5,000 servings of meat to families in need across Nova Scotia.

The purpose of the Town's Deer Management Strategy is to reduce the deer population numbers within the Town of Truro for the benefit of natural ecosystems, citizen landscapes, reducing Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVC's), public health concerns, the possible presence of deer predators, and an overall reduction of deer human conflict. While residents will need to learn to live with deer long-term, there are several measures that people can take to assist with deer management efforts in Truro and help to bring the urban deer population within a manageable number. The most important management tool for residents is to stop the feeding of deer within and around the Town.

The approved Deer Management Strategy sets overall goals for mitigating deer-human conflicts and highlights all elements of deer management throughout the Town. This includes management options at the individual level, public education options, as well as population reduction options. Individuals are encouraged to focus on measures on their own individual properties, and the Town will focus on public education and population reduction measures (with oversight and guidance from Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables).

For more information on the Deer Management Strategy and the efforts of the Working Group, residents are encouraged to visit: https://hub-connect-townoftruro.hub.arcgis.com/ and click on the Urban Deer Management Tab

On July 9, the Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, delivered a National Apology to the descendants and family members of the No. 2 Construction Batallion, whose members served with distinction in the First World War, but faced anti-Black racism.

The event included a parade from the Zion Baptist Church, with the ceremony and official apology being delivered from the TAAC grounds on Golf Street. The TAAC grounds are of historical significance to the No. 2 Construction Battalion as they served as the practice grounds for the Batallion during the First World War. The Nova Scotia-based battalion was the first military unit in Canada comprised mostly of Black members. Many members of the battalion tried to join the Canadian Expeditionary Forces but were turned away. Despite this, the segregated, non-combatant battalion was formed in 1916, with more than 600 members joining. The battalion was primarily used to clear trees, build roads, and maintain railway tracks. Members were forced to live in segregated camps and not provided with proper equipment, rations, or care.

As part of the National Apology event, Mayor Mills delivered a speech to the crowd and announced the renaming of the TAAC grounds to honour the importance of the No. 2 Construction Battalion. Over the next year, the TAAC ground facility will be redeveloped into a modern sports field. A permanent plaque will also be installed as part of the renovation to highlight the importance and significance of the No. 2 Construction Batallion during the First World War, and the renaming ceremony will take place.

In August, Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings—Hants, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities; Dave Ritcey, Member of Legislative Assembly for Truro—Bible Hill—Millbrook—Salmon River, and Town of Truro, Mayor Bill Mills, announced funding for the revitalization of the Truro Amateur Athletic Club (TAAC), the multi-use sport facility and senior baseball facility.

Funding will be used to upgrade and split the current TAAC grounds into two different locations. The existing TAAC location will be revitalized to include a multi-sport, all-weather field and a synthetic, eight-lane running track with regulation throwing areas, which will provide athletes and casual players with a high-quality training facility.

The current seniors' baseball diamond will be relocated to Argus Drive to improve accessibility, and it will be upgraded to reflect championship-quality baseball field standards.

Total project costs are estimated at $8.6 million. The Government of Canada is investing $3.2 million towards the project, while the Government of Nova Scotia is providing more than $2.6 million. The Town of Truro is contributing $500,000 and the Municipality of the County of Colchester is providing $350,000. Community donations and commitments are ongoing and will exceed $2 million when complete. Anyone wishing to donate towards this project can stop into Town Hall, 695 Prince Street. All donations to this project are tax-deductible.

Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2023. The project would not have been possible without the generous support of the community, both through sponsorships and donations and the efforts of the TAAC Revitalization Group who’ve been working on advancing this project for many years.

In July, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced $437,000 in funding through the Innovative Communities Fund to support the implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Railyard Mountain Bike Park Master Plan. The total project costs are approximately $875,000.

The Railyard Mountain Bike Park, located in the southwestern section of Victoria Park, has grown into an extensive mountain biking network. It offers terrain for riders of all ages and abilities with a wide variety of trails and skills parks. It appeals to both local riders and tourists.

The Railyard Master Plan, which was completed in 2019, has the overall objective of creating a sustainable and balanced approach to tourism, local development, and community wellness. The Plan balances making the most out of the opportunities for tourism and maximizing the economic impact for the community while preserving the benefits of Victoria Park as an urban green space for all.

Phase 1 and 2 of the project is currently underway and will take place over the next three years. While the project has a large scope, it focuses on staff training, trail maintenance, enhancing signage and services, marketing and promotion, and the construction of new trails, washroom facilities, expanding parking and upgrading entrances.

During the winter of 2021, the Town of Truro conducted an economic impact assessment on visitors to the Railyard. The survey found that 41% of people using the Railyard during the winter were from outside of Truro, primarily from the Halifax Regional Municipality. The assessment also found that the average visitor to the Railyard was spending approximately $80/day while they were in Truro.

Overnight on September 23, and into the morning of September 24, Hurricane Fiona swept through Nova Scotia, knocking out power and leaving a trail of debris. The initial estimate of insured damage was reported at $385 million in Nova Scotia alone. Hurricane Fiona was the most costly extreme weather event ever recorded in Atlantic Canada.

The Town of Truro provided emergency response throughout the storm and activated the Colchester Emergency Response centre on the morning of September 24. The Town also used the Alert TC app to notify residents of localized flooding and the location of comfort centres in Truro and Colchester.

In the days following the hurricane, the Town of Truro set up a debris collection program for Town residents. The debris clean-up program ran from September 28th until mid-December. The Town also accepted the assistance of the Canadian Armed Forces to assist with post-hurricane clean-up.

A number of Town-owned facilities were also hard hit by the hurricane. The Colchester Legion Stadium saw significant roof and water damage. Victoria Park saw devastating damage with a number of fallen trees, resulting in further damage to structures and trails. Clean-up and restoration work continued through the end of 2022. While there has been a gradual reopening of Victoria Park, many areas remain closed due to extensive damage. The Colchester Legion Stadium continues to be closed. An application has been made to the Disaster Financial Assistance Program to help with the costs the Town incurred for post-hurricane clean-up.

One thing Hurricane Fiona brings to light is the immediate need for action against climate change. The Town of Truro, through membership to the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) is committed to local climate change action. The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program is managed and delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and ICLEI Canada and receives financial support from the Government of Canada and ICLEI Canada. It is a national network of over 400 municipalities with the shared goal of taking action against climate change and reducing local greenhouse gas emissions.

Alert Truro-Colchester (AlertTC) is a free public notification program that allows subscribers to receive important information via text message, email or voice call to a phone, as well as through the AlertTC smartphone app. As a subscriber, you can receive Emergency Alerts (i.e. water quality notifications, severe weather notices, amber alerts), Public Advisories (i.e. road closures, water main breaks), and General Community Notices (i.e. newsletters, special events). To subscribe to Alert TC, visit https://www.truro.ca/living-in-truro/alert-truro-colchester.html.

This year the Town of Truro joined the Partnership for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) program through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). PMI-WILL is a six-year project that is part of FCM's portfolio of gender equality and women in local government initiatives. It is implemented in five countries: Benin, Cambodia, Ghana, Sri Lanka and Zambia.

The Town of Truro, along with thirteen other Canadian municipalities, will take part in the program. The Town of Truro is partnered with the County of Middlesex in Ontario and five municipalities in Cambodia to build a program focusing on a peer-to-peer approach.

The project is funded by Global Affairs Canada and helps to achieve the goals of Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP). It is also aligned with Canada's Official Development Assistance Accountability Act (ODAAA). Municipal plans and services, such as infrastructure and security, often do not consider patterns of women's movement and places of work, exposing them to increased risks to their health and safety, including gender-based violence (GBV).

The program recognizes that local governments are responsible for a wide range of services that are essential to people's daily lives. Many services that are deemed local, such as sanitation, water provision, primary education, community health services, and local transportation, impact women and girls the most. Local governments play a key role in ensuring equitable access to those services. The programs aims to achieve two core objectives: 1. Increase women's capacity to get involved and lead in local governance, and 2. Increase local governments' capacity to deliver inclusive, gender-responsive services.

PMI-WILL is implemented in partnership with FCM's member municipalities, provincial and territorial associations (PTAs), as well as in collaboration with Local Government Associations (LGAs) and key stakeholders in each of the five implementation countries.

The Town of Truro wishes to recognize the following employees who retired in 2022 and thank them for their years of service to the Town. We wish you the best of luck in your retirement!

The Town of Truro Capital Program addresses three main categories:

The Street Revitalization Program addresses roadways that have deteriorated over the years and are due to be upgraded. The 2022 program budget was approximately $1,172,000.

The Street Preservation Program focuses on less intensive street preservation projects rather than more extensive street reconstructions. This work typically involves pavement overlays, milling, and repaving. The 2022 program budget was approximately $420,000.

Water and Sewer upgrades include the replacement and installation of new water distribution mains and sanitary sewer mains. This work is done in coordination with the street asphalt programs as repaving is required as part of this work. For 2022, $246,000 was spent on water and sewer upgrades.

Archibald Street, a local street, required a complete rebuild, including the removal and build-up of the subgrade gravels. New curb was installed on both sides of the street and a new sidewalk was installed on one side of the street. Green space was reinstated and tree planting is planned for 2023. The total project cost was $364,000.

Belgrave Terrace, a local street, required a complete rebuild, including the removal and build-up of the subgrade gravels. New curb was installed on both sides of the street and sidewalk was replaced, as required. The street and curb were corrected to allow for proper water drainage. The total project cost was $185,000.

Dominion Street (from Arthur Street to Charles Street), a local collector street, required a complete rebuild. New curb was installed on both sides of much of the street and new sidewalk was installed on sections of the street. The total project was of $143,000.

Prince Street (from Juniper Street to Brodie Avenue), a local street, had new low-profile curb installed on both sides of the street. The pavement was also renewed on part of the street. The total project cost was $332,000.

Lorne Street, a collector street, required rebuilding. At the same time, a new sanitary sewer main connecting Queen Street and Marshland Drive was installed. New curb and a small amount of new sidewalk was also installed on one side of the street. The total project cost was $482,000.

Young Street, a local collector street, required 120m of milling, paving, curb and sidewalk replacement from Arthur Street to the CN rail line. In addition, 230m of curb and sidewalk were constructed at the top of Young Street (from Empire Loop to the Railyard Mountain Bike Park entrance). The total costs for these projects on Young Street were $199,000.

The following streets were milled and paved as part of the Street Preservation Program:

PRINCE STREET (Golf St to Whitman Crt) $105,000

MILL STREET $21,000

CROWELL DRIVE (curb work) $155,000

FUNDY DRIVE $119,000

BLAKENEY DRIVE (Willow St to Crossley Ave) $93,000

Additionally, there was $32,000 in crack sealing and select paving completed.

Robie Street – Curbing, sidewalk, and paving was completed to finalize the water main replacement project that was completed in the Fall of 2021. Total project cost was $1,183,000

Lorne Street - A new sanitary sewer main connecting Queen Street and Marshland Drive was installed to alleviate the loading on the Queen Street sewer main. Cost was included in the Street Preservation project at the same location.

After two years of COVID restrictions, Truro Town Council was happy to announce the opening of a new splash pad and the reopening of the Victoria Park Pool during the summer of 2022.

The new splash pad, located in the playground area, opened during the first week of July. The splash pad offers residents relief from the heat during the summer months and provides an aquatic play feature in the park. An accessible boardwalk was installed around the splash pad to provide easy access. The splash pad operates from dawn to dusk throughout the summer and is available for free public use. The total cost of the new splash pad was $160,000.

Repairs required on the Victoria Park Pool were also completed and the pool re-opened mid-summer. The project included refurbishing the pool house to bring it up to current standards and make it more accessible.

This facility includes a toddler's pool, water spray features, a double water slide, lane swimming and a diving board. The pool deck has numerous benches and a grassed area for relaxation.

The total cost of the Victoria Park Pool project was approximately $1.3 million. The Town received $495,000 in funding through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) to help complete the project. The Town of Truro also raised an additional $125,000 in private donations and sponsorships towards this project. This included generous donations from the Rotary Club of Truro and the CN Halifax Community Board. We'd like to thank the East End Residents Association for applying for funding from the CN Halifax Community Board and Will-Kare Paving & Contracting who generously donated the paving of the parking lots at the pool and the entrance of Victoria Park.

Both facilities will reopen for the summer of 2023.

The Town of Truro experienced considerable growth in 2022, almost tripling the average of the total permits issued over the last 5 years.

2022 Permit Values

Total Construction Value:

Residential – $37,442,126

Commercial – $15,036,689

Industrial – $3,226,701

Institutional/Government – $2,260,264

TOTAL: $57,965,780