News Room
N.S. REGULATORY & APPEALS BOARD: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
- Published: May 04 2026 08:50
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IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION by the TOWN OF STELLARTON on behalf of its WATER UTILITY, for approval of amendment to its Schedule of Rates and Charges for Water and Water Services and amendments to its Schedule of Rules and Regulations.
This matter will be considered in a public hearing as follows:
Hearing starts: Friday, July 3, 2026 10:30 a.m.
Evening Session: Friday, July 3, 2026 6:00 pm (if needed)
Hearing Location: Stellarton Fire Hall, 8 Jubilee Ave, Stellarton, Nova Scotia
THE DATE AND LOCATION OF THE HEARING MAY CHANGE
If any Intervenor in this proceeding intends to file evidence, the timeline will be extended to accommodate this, and the hearing date will be rescheduled.
Depending on the circumstances, all or part of this public hearing may be held virtually, by video conferencing.
THE DATE, TIME AND LOCATION FOR THIS HEARING MAY BE CONFIRMED BY VISITING THE BOARD’S WEBSITE OR BY CONTACTING THE CLERK OF THE BOARD.
Board Hearings are open to the public and you may participate as follows:
• You may speak at the hearing. You must notify the Board by Wednesday, June 10, 2026, of your request to speak.
• You may make written comments by sending a letter to the Clerk of the Board at P.O. Box 1692, Unit “M”, Halifax, NS B3J 3S3, or by using our secure file transfer service at https://board.titanfile.com/NSRAB/, or by fax at (902) 424-3919. by Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
• You may request formal standing as an Intervenor, subject to Board approval. This will allow you to present evidence or cross-examine witnesses. Your request must be received by the Board by Friday, May 15, 2026, and a copy of your written evidence by Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Additional information about the matter is as follows:
• For unmetered customers who have had a new water meter installed since Fall 2022, the current quarterly water bill is proposed to increase from $153.96 in 2025/26 to $156.67 (a 1.8% increase) in 2026/27; $171.57 (a 9.5% increase) in 2027/28; and $186.74 (an 8.8% increase) in 2028/29.
• For unmetered customers who have NOT had a water meter installed, the quarterly water bill is proposed to increase from $153.96 in 2025/26 to $174.51 (a 13.3% increase) in 2026/27; $196.96 (a 12.9% increase) in 2027/28; and $214.57 (an 8.9% increase) in 2028/29.
• For those 5/8" metered customers who had a water meter installed before Fall 2022, the average current quarterly water bill is $137.16, and it is proposed to increase to $156.67 (a 14.2% increase) in 2026/27; $171.57 (a 9.5% increase) in 2027/28; and $186.74 (an 8.8% increase) in 2028/29.
• The Utility is also requesting increases to rates for other metered customers, those with quarterly bills (meter sizes of 3/4", 1”, 2”, 3” and 4”) are proposed to change between 13.9% to 18.4% in 2026/27; 10.5% to 15.5% in 2027/28; and 8.5% to 9.5% in 2028/29.
• The wholesale rate charged to the Municipality of Pictou County will decrease from $18,901.47 in 2025/26 to $17,391.22 (an 8% decrease) in 2026/27; then increase to $19,292.12 (a 10.9% increase) in 2027/28; and $20,706.54 (a 7.3% increase) in 2028/29.
• The annual public fire protection charge, currently $776,190, is proposed to remain the same for 2026/27; increase to $805,024 (a 3.7% increase) in 2027/28; and to $934,415 (a 16.1% increase) in 2028/29.
Upon reviewing the Application, the Board, in its Decision, may determine that the proposed amendments should be as requested, higher, or lower.
A copy of the Application and any timetable applying to this matter may be viewed on the Board’s website at http://nserbt.ca/nsrab/, by clicking on "Matters & Evidence", “Go To Files & Documents”, and in the "Go Directly to Matter” search box, enter Matter No. M12805 or at the offices of the Town of Stellarton, 250 Foord Street, Stellarton, Nova Scotia.
To assist the Board in using correct forms of address and pronouns in our hearings and decisions, we invite all parties, lawyers, and all other participants to share their pronouns and titles with the Board and each other if they are comfortable doing so. There is no requirement to provide this information.