MODL approves additional support for not-for-profits

At their Feb. 8 meeting, Municipality of the District of Lunenburg council passed two motions designed to alleviate community financial burdens.

Council approved a fourth round of funding support for not-for-profit organizations that operate community facilities impacted by COVID-19 cancellations.

Applicants can apply for emergency assistance for fundraising events and activities that were scheduled to take place Oct. 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, but that had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 restrictions. This includes annual and weekly events that had previously been held but were cancelled or have not been planned because of the Covid-related public health restrictions.

The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. All applications must be received at the municipal office before the application deadline. For guidelines and an application form, visit https://www.modl.ca/grants.

Council also reviewed the fees policy, which is intended to be updated every three years with fee increases that reflect the three-year cumulative Consumer Price Index (CPI). While the Nova Scotia three-year CPI is six per cent, council decided to not to raise the current fees. These are user fees for things such as development permits, ballfield rentals, NSF cheque fees and tax certificates.

“We know that COVID restrictions continue to create significant financial challenges for our residents, businesses and community organizations,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-getson. “By keeping fees the same, we acknowledge that even small increases can have a large impact on a household or business budget. On a larger scale, since introducing the emergency funding for community organizations program, MODL has donated a total of $322,406 to our community organizations that operate community facilities.”