For Immediate Release - ECRL Receives Additional Funding for 2025-2026

September 4, 2025
For immediate release: ECRL Receives Additional Funding for 2025-2026
Eastern Counties Regional Library’s (ECRL) funding advocacy efforts have had some success. ECRL has received an additional $46,200 in provincial funding for the 2025-2026 budget year. This is ECRL’s portion of an additional $800,000 that the province has provided Public Library Regions across the province. As well, ECRL, along with other Public Library Regions, received $10,300 from the dissolution of the Library Boards Association of Nova Scotia (LBANS)
These funds will help to alleviate some of the financial pressures the ECRL Board is facing.
“This infusion of revenue can be attributed to the support regional libraries received from local municipalities who recognize the value of having a public space in our communities” said Clair Rankin, Chair of the Eastern Counties Regional Library (ECRL). He said the addition of the two funding streams will allow ECRL to consider giving staff a cost-of-living boost.
For more information, please contact:
Laura Emery, CEO
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
902-631-4403

Please click the link below for the Media Release
pdf 2025 09 04 ECRL Media Release Additional Funding For ECRL(113 KB)

Public Notice: Shower Facility

Location: St. Mary's Recplex164 Old Road Hill, Sherbrooke NS
Time: Monday to Thursday from 3:00pm to 9:00pm
Questions Call: 902-522-2049

Showers will be available to residents within the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s starting tomorrow, Friday September 5th, 2025 from 9:00am. to 3:00pm at the St. Mary’s Recplex (164 Old Road Hill, Sherbrooke). Beginning next week, Monday September 8th, 2025, they will be open weekly, Monday to Thursday from 3:00pm. to 9:00pm. on a first-come, first-served basis during the drought.

There are two showers and dressing rooms available for use.

Residents must bring their own shower amenities, such as a towel, shampoo, soap, etc.

Please keep showers to five minutes so everyone has a chance to use them and to help conserve water.

Be respectful of others, leave the space clean, and remember that minors must have an adult present.

Filling containers of water at the facility is not allowed.

This service will be available as long as there is a need by residents and water is available.

Thank You - RCL Brach 59, Antigonish

The Municipality of the District of St. Mary's would like to thank the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 in Antigonish for their contribution of drinking water for those in our municipality in need. We appreciate your generosity.

Public Notice - Water Assistance

If you need water urgently, contact your local Councillor — they have a limited supply of bottled water that they can provide.

James Fuller, District 5: (902) 704-0268 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Beulah Malloy, District 3: (902) 522-2184 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dana O’Connell, District 2: (902) 804-2801 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Emma Tibbo, District 1: (902) 328-4177 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Scott Beaver, District 4:(902) 301-5712 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PRESS RELEASE

The Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s is pleased to announce the appointment of Lesley McFarlane to the position of Chief Administrative Officer. Ms. McFarlane, who will assume the post full time on October 1^st, 2025, comes with a broad background in both provincial as well municipal operations and support.

“We are excited to have someone of Ms. McFarlane’s experience to put that to work in our rural community,” stated Warden James Fuller. “Even more so, as she has a residence and family in our municipality, she has beneficial background knowledge ahead of time.”

McFarlane states, “I’m honoured to serve the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s where I have such deep roots.   I look forward to working with Council, staff and residents to continue building a strong, responsive and resilient municipality.  My husband and I are thrilled to become year-round residents in this community where we and our daughter have been welcomed for many years.  I’m excited to bring my experience in municipal and provincial government to support the important work ahead.”

Please see the link below for the Press Release
pdf 2025-09-04 Press Release(153 KB)

Public Notice: Sherbrooke Water Utility Maintenance

September 2, 2025 at 7:30pm
Public Works will be conducting scheduled maintenance and testing to the Sherbrooke water utility system
Customers may experience water pressure fluctuations, disruptions to service, and/or water discoloration during this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.