Departments

Transportation

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Published: Wednesday, 28 October 2020 16:50

Frequently Asked Questions

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Published: Wednesday, 28 October 2020 16:50

Q: When will my street be plowed or when will the sidewalks be plowed?
A:  Town’s Snow and Ice Removal Policy

Q: Where can I walk in the winter if sidewalks are still snow-covered?
A:Hector Arena Monday-Friday 8:30-11:30 am and 1:00-4:00 pm. Donations accepted
Also, there is a Walk and Roll Program for people who use mobility devices at the Pictou Legion on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm - FREE

Q: What do I do if my basement fills with water?
A: First you must determine if this is a result of a water break, sewer backup or water entering through a basement wall.

Typically, if you cannot hear water running, it means that the sewer lateral is backing up. The first thing you should do is call a plumber to determine the cause of the blockage. The most common problem is the lateral has an obstruction that can be removed by the plumber snaking the line through the clean out. If your plumber determines that your lateral is clear, have them call the Town Engineer. For all insurance claims, have your insurance company contact the Town’s.

If your waterline is broken, a shutoff is located by your water meter. This will stop water after your water meter. If the break is before your shutoff, you will have to call the Town Engineer. If the break is between your curb shutoff and your meter, you will be charged $50 during operating hours (Monday to Thursday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM or Friday: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM) or $200 after hours.

If the water is coming through your wall, you may have a crack in your foundation, or your weeping tile may be plugged. You should contact a local contractor. 

Q: What do I do if my ditch is filled with water/ice?
A: Homeowners are responsible for their own ditch and culvert. This means, homeowners will be required to unclog their own culverts and keep their ditch free of any obstruction. This includes snow in the winter, leaves in the fall or other garbage throughout the year. 

Q: What do I do if I have discoloured water or low pressure?
A: Contact the Town Office at 902-485-4372 to notify us as soon as possible. This could be a result of a water break in your area.

Q: How do I get my water turned off?
A: Contact the Town Office and schedule a shutoff at 902-485-4372. Please note, there is a fee associated with turning your water off and on. Also, you should make sure you do not bury your curb stop as the Town will need to access it. If you do bury it, the Town will be required to dig up whatever is covering it (flower bed, asphalt, etc) and will not reinstate it.

Q: How do I report a pothole or washout?
A: Contact the Town Office at 902-485-4372 to report a pothole or washout. Please be advised that asphalt plants shut down for the winter months and gravel may be used as a temporary solution.

The Town is not responsible for driveway washout or ruts as a result of the drainage on individuals' property.

Q: Can I get gravel, salt or sand from Public Works?
A: No, this is for Town use only. Several local suppliers are in the Pictou County area provide this service. Please contact one of them for your material needs.

Q: I have low water pressure, what do I do?
A: Low water could be a result of several factors. First, you want to make sure you do not have a leak in your house that is using all your water. If there are no leaks, it is a good idea to test multiple taps to see if the low pressure is isolated to one faucet. If it is one faucet causing the issue, you can remove the nozzle (unscrew – it may require tools if it has not been removed in a while) of the tap and clean out the filter. This is the most common cause of low pressure. If you need assistance, the Town can help for a fee of $50 during normal working hours.

If this is not the issue, please contact the Town Office at 902-485-4372. Some other more serious causes of low water pressure are water breaks in your area, water break on your lateral or partial blockage in your water meter.

Q. Where do I pay my water bill and taxes?
A: In the Town Administration office, 40 Water Street, Pictou. Bill payment options include cash, cheque, online and telephone banking. Tax billing is twice a year (tax year is April 1-March 31) and water billing is four times a year (subject to change).

How to Set Up Online Banking to Pay Taxes And Water Bills

To begin you must have a separate payee for each; taxes and water.

For Taxes

1. Search Pictou
2. Select “Pictou (Town of) Taxes”
3. Enter account number - must be 8 digits; if not add 00s in front of the account number.
   For example Account Number: 102436; enter as 00102436

For Water

1. Search Pictou
2. Select “Pictou (Town of) Water”
3. Enter account number - must be 6 digits; do not include the .00 in the account number. If you need more digits add 00s in front of your account number
   For example Account Number: 17042.00; enter as 017042

For more information go to Paying Your Bills.

Q. How do I issue a complaint?
A. Fill out pdf this form(80 KB)  and email it to info@townofpictou.ca

Q. If there is a street light outage who do I call?
A. Contact the Town Administration Office at 902-485-4372.

Q. I found a stray dog in Town, who should I call for help?
A. Contact the Town of Pictou at 902-485-4372. To report animal abuse, contact the SPCA at 902-396-3595.

Q. When is garbage/recycling pick-up in the Town of Pictou?
A. Every second Wednesday morning. Visit Pictou County Solid Waste for schedule

Q. What can I recycle/compost in the Town of Pictou?
A. Stop by the Town office for a recycling guide, or check Pictou County Solid Waste

Q. Where do I go to check land and deed information in the area?

A. Access Nova Scotia Office: Antigonish Mall Annex, Suite 3, 149 Church Street, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Q. What is the skating schedule?

A. Call the Hector Arena at 902-485-5122 or check the Arena page

Q. What is the pool schedule?
A. Call the Fisheries Training Pool 902-485-5301 or check the pool page

Q. I live in the Town of Pictou, who is my MLA?
A. Karla MacFarlane, M.L.A. (PC) Her office is located on Front Street, in Pictou. Ph: 902-485-8958, email: pictouwestmla@bellaliant.com

Q. I live in the Town of Pictou, who is my MP?
A. The Honourable Sean Fraser, M.P. His office is located on 2A 115 MacLean Street, New Glasgow. Ph: 902-752-0226.

Q. What is the ferry schedule to/from PEI?
A. The Caribou ferry is only a 10-minute drive from the Town of Pictou. For ferry schedules pick up a brochure at any Visitor Information Centre in the area, or check the Northumberland Ferries Ltd. website www.nfl-bay.com

Q. How do I make a donation to the Ship Hector?
A. The Hector Quay Society helps to raise funds for construction and maintenance of the ship for further info email hectorquaysociety@gmail.com

Q. Who do I contact to get a Building Permit/Land Development for the Town of Pictou?
A. You may contact Roland Burek at 902-752-4476.

Q. When is the Pictou Lobster Carnival?
A. The Pictou Lobster Carnival is normally held each year on the first full weekend in July after Canada Day. Contact 902-485-5150 (June-July) or email: info@pictoulobstercarnival.ca for information.

Q. Where can I buy fresh lobster?
A. The Pictou Sobeys store and North Nova Seafood carry lobster year-round. Local in-season (May-June) at the Lobster Pot in Lyons Brook.

Fields & Rentals

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Published: Wednesday, 28 October 2020 16:50

Recreation and Parks manage two soccer fields and four ball fields in Pictou. If your group wishes to book a field for an event or for the season, please contact the office at 902-485-4372.

Fields within the Town

CN Field (Ricky Sutherland Memorial Field)

The CN Field (Ricky Sutherland Memorial Field) baseball field is located on Front Street.

Pictou Academy Field (John Chisholm Memorial Field)

The Pictou Academy Field (John Chisholm Memorial Field) is located behind the McCulloch Junior High School off Louise Street; 3 baseball diamonds and a full soccer field.

McCulloch Education Centre Field

The McCulloch Education Centre Field is located off Wellington Street just behind the school; soccer field.

For more information on field use, fees, and policy, please download the  pdf Field Use Policy/Agreement(213 KB)  or the pdf Field Booking Form(136 KB) .

Recreation Programs

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Published: Wednesday, 28 October 2020 16:50

On The Move With Pictou Recreation and Parks

It is important to be active throughout your life & becoming active is easier than you think. Discover all the different ways to incorporate physical activity into your daily life in Pictou. It can be as easy as walking the dog, a snowshoe hike with your friends or taking your grandchild to the playground. Pictou Recreation and Parks provides recreation programming for all ages and interests, as well as leadership in organizing special community events that foster community pride.   

• For more ideas on self-directed active living opportunities go to Go Play Self Directed Recreation
• For information on Pictou Fisheries Pool and programs go to Aquatics  

Programs 2025

Following are the Winter Programs offered by Pictou Recreation and Parks. Pre-registration and payment for all programs are required. Some programs have limited space available in each session. Call for details at 485-4372.

Chair Yoga with Rachael MacLean (6 weeks)
Chair Yoga is an uplifting program for all ages and abilities. This class will invite you to connect with breath and movement to improve your range of motion, flexibility and strength.  Held every Friday at the Pictou United Church Hall at 11:00 am. Cost: $52.50 for 6 weeks. Pre-registration is required, for further information or to register call 902-485-4372.  

Yoga with Rachael MacLean (6 weeks)  
Learn the fundamentals of yoga building strength, improve balance, increase flexibility, reduce stress and tension while building overall health. Held every Tuesday at 10 am  at  the Pictou United Church Hall. Cost: $52.50 for 6 weeks.  Pre-registration is required, for further information or to register call 902-485-4372.  

Walk and Roll (ongoing weekly)
A program designed for those with mobility challenges. We welcome people of all mobility levels - bring any walking aid that you require, such as canes or walkers. If you have a 4 wheeled walker, bring it with you! If you don’t have one, wheeled walkers available on site for you to try. When: Every Tuesday at 1:00 pm September to June, Pictou Legion. Free

Pickle Ball (Drop-in)
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 6:30 pm September-June at McCulloch Education Centre. Please note: Program is cancelled when there is no school, holiday or inservices. Cost $3.00.

 Adult Badminton (Drop-in)
Tuesdays at 6:30 pm September-June at McCulloch Education Centre and Thursdays at 7:00 pm Sept-June at the PA Gym . Join their Facebook page Pictou Badminton Club.  Program is cancelled when there is no school, holiday or inservices. Cost $3.00.

Summer Day Camp Program

Registration Opens June 2025

Pictou Recreation and Parks offer day camps for children throughout July and August. Camps are open to children ages 5 to 11 years old. Campers must bring their own lunch, snacks, water and sun protection, including a hat and sunscreen. Comfortable walking shoes/sneakers are necessary. The day camps are held at Broidy Park, Monday through Friday with trip days being held on Thursdays. Drop off will be at Broidy Park at 9:00 am and pick-up will be at the Broidy Park at 4:00 pm, except for trip days when locations and times vary according to the individual trip. Registration fee includes day trip expenses. Please note that all camp programs are nut-free. 
Full Program Details

Junior Leader Program

Are you a teen looking for valuable volunteer experience? Come and join the Pictou Recreation and Parks Junior Leader Program! We are committed to investing in our youth. Responsibilities include 1-day leadership training, supervising summer day camp participants ages 6-11 years and helping with the preparation of crafts and activities. Please call 485-4372 to register.

Equipment Loan Program

Pictou County offers a loan program for recreational equipment available by the various municipal units throughout the county. If there is a piece of equipment that you would enjoy, simply fill out the survey and the appropriate person will be in contact with you. Go to Go Play, Pictou County Equipment Loan Program to book your equipment today.

For a complete listing of equipment that Pictou Recreation and Parks download the   pdf GO PLAY brochure(3.81 MB) .

Looking for ideas?

Types of equipment you can borrow include: a kit bag full of outdoor recreation equipment for entertaining family and friends, snow shoes, snow grips, kick sleds, snow making kit, skates, canoe, paddleboards, kayaks, bikes, snowshoes, nordic walking poles, sport wheelchairs, washer toss games, floor hockey equipment, tennis rackets, roller blades, flag football and baseball kit with bats, helmets, catchers equipment, and balls.!