Council Highlights – March 9th, 2026

Council Highlights – March 9^th, 2026

Council gathered for the March Regular Council Meeting after a productive month in which staff dedicated significant time and effort to preparing the 2026–2027 municipal budget. This work has focused on clarity, transparency, and ensuring that the Town’s financial plan reflects the priorities and aspirations of the Three Rivers community.

Community Spirit & Recreation

A consultant has been selected to complete the Jurisdictional Scan of Multi‑Use Aquatic and Fitness Centres serving small urban and rural communities. The contract was awarded to Sierra Planning and Management (SPM), supported by Teal Architects and MJMA Architecture and Design.

The Town received 15 creative and thoughtful submissions in response to the call for a Three Rivers mascot. Council has selected Rivv- The River Guardian River Otter to move ahead to the concept and design stage.  Congratulations goes to Jason Furness for his chosen submission of Rivv – The River Guardian.  Thank you to everyone who participated!

Planning & Development

Development activity remained steady through February, with 11 permits issued, including:

Single‑unit dwellings, subdivisions and subdivision amendments, accessory buildings and a signage permit.  Notable projects include a new single‑unit dwelling on Brooklyn Road, an accessory building on Primrose Road, and a storage building valued at $400,000 in Cardigan.

Financial Snapshot

The Town’s finances remain on track for the fiscal year. As of the latest financial review, when comparing actual results to the expected budget for this point in the year. 

Revenue is $328,627 ahead of the expected budget, reflecting strong performance in several revenue categories.

Expenses are $275,072 below the expected budget, reflecting careful spending across Town departments. 

The Town is currently $603,689 ahead of the expected operating position for this point in the year.  This strong financial position allows the Town to continue delivering important services such as fire protection, infrastructure maintenance, recreation facilities, and community programs while planning responsibly for future community investments.

Welcoming New Faces to Town Staff

The Town is pleased to welcome Sarah Dixon‑MacLean as the new Administrative Assistant at the Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre. Sarah brings several years of administrative experience and will provide strong support to arena management, staff, and facility users. Welcome Sarah!

Requests for Decision

• HR Policy - Council has approved a Cell Phone and Mobile Device Use Policy.  This updated policy will replace two outdated policies with one comprehensive document. It will also strengthen compliance with provincial legislation and workplace safety standards.

• Crime Prevention Needs Assessment – Council has approved the request to complete a Crime Prevention Needs Assessment, led by criminologist Dr. Chris Giacomantonio of Dalhousie University. The RCMP has confirmed its participation, and the province has expressed strong support and funding for this assessment.   The assessment will analyze local crime trends, risk factors, and community safety concerns, providing evidence‑based recommendations to guide future policies and investments. Council approval is being sought to proceed due to tight provincial timelines.

Upcoming Dates

• Next Committee of Council Meeting: March 23, 2026
• St. Paddy’s Day BINGO - Kings Playhouse, Sat. Mar 15^th, 2026 – 2 pm-5 pm
• 19+ Adult Comedy Night – Comedians Shawn Hodgan & Patrick Ledwell - Sat. March 28th, Doors open at 7 pm - Purchase your tickets in advance on our website soon!

Stay connected:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/townofthreerivers
• Website: https://www.threeriverspei.com/
• Three Rivers Festival Series: https://www.facebook.com/ThreeRiversFestivals
  

Quick Notes Council agendas and minutes are available at the Town website. Residents are encouraged to attend meetings or follow updates on social media.