The Town of Sussex is pleased to announce that ConservationPRO has joined the Sussex Flood Mitigation Project Team to assist with our Flood Mitigation Planning.
The Town would like to thank area residents, property owners, government agencies and other stakeholders who took the time to participate in the comment period of the Town’s submission of the Initial Project Description (IPD) to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC).
NB Power is upgrading the electrical meters for all residential and business customers in the Sussex region. Installations will begin in March and will continue throughout spring 2025.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has invited Indigenous Peoples and the Public to review the summary of the Initial Project Description for the Sussex Region Flood Diversion Project and provide feedback by February 10, 2025.
Help the 8th Hussars Arena score big! The Kraft Hockeyville competition is an annual contest in Canada that celebrates the spirit of hockey by recognizing communities that deeply value the sport by awarding funding for arena upgrades and the chance to host an NHL preseason game.
To kick off the Winter season, Sussex reached out to the community for help naming our new snowplow.
Say hello to our newest winter MVP: Scoop Dogg!
Thank you to everyone who brought their creativity and community spirit to the “Name the Snowplow” Contest. Keep an eye out for Scoop Dogg cruisin’ the streets this winter.
Stay tuned for more fun ways to engage in the future! ❄️
TV & Film
Celebrities:
A nod to Sussex:
December 04, 2024
Sussex Council has received its final report on the Fire Service Review (FSR) from the Loomex Group at its special meeting of Council held at Town Hall on December 03, 2024. The FSR project had commissioned the review and the following deliverables:
• To identify and evaluate the current and anticipated fire protection needs in Sussex and its contracted fire service areas.
• To assess the fire protection services that Sussex and its contracted fire service areas currently receives.
• To provide data that Sussex can use to make informed decisions about the safety of its residents, businesses, visitors, and firefighters, and;
• To provide strategies and identify resources that Sussex can use to manage its current and anticipated fire protection needs adequately and cost-effectively.
The Council of Sussex and the Sussex Fire Department can reference this FSR when making policy, organizational, capital, and operational decisions over the next ten or more years. Click Here to view our FSR in its entirety.
As part of the Town’s FSR Sussex contracted The Loomex Group to develop a Community Risk Reduction Plan (“CRRP”) in 2024. The CRRP project had the following objectives:
• To ensure Sussex complies with the standards of NFPA 1300, which advises every community to conduct a CRRP every five years.
• To identify and examine the public safety risks in Sussex from a fire services perspective, and;
• To recommend strategies that Sussex and the Sussex Fire Department can use to mitigate the Town’s public safety risks.
In accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1300, there are nine community profiles that must be reviewed when developing a CRRP. The Loomex Group completed those reviews by collecting various statistics about Sussex and then evaluating that information as per the instructions provided by NFPA 1300 and other industry guidelines.
In addition to reviewing statistics, The Loomex Group conducted site visits and met with stakeholders from Sussex in order to gain first-hand insights about the current and potential public safety risks in the community. Finally, The Loomex Group used a risk assessment tool to calculate the severity of each public safety risk it identified in Sussex. The Loomex Group then evaluated the administrative and operational concerns associated with each threat.
Click Here to view our CRRP in its entirety.
For further information please contact Scott M. Hatcher, P. Eng, CAO at Town Hall during normal business hours.
Your thoughts and experiences matter to us! Your insights can help shape the future of our fire service. Please take a moment to share your feedback, suggestions, or experiences below.
Sussex is pleased to advise Sussex residents that the Flood Mitigation Initial Project Description documents for the Sussex Flood Mitigation Proposal has been submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC). The proposed Project involves the construction of two flood diversion channels to divert flood waters away from the downtown core and residential areas of Sussex, New Brunswick into the Kennebecasis River. Initial feedback from IAAC.
For our residents information and status of our flood mitigation proposal, the Town provides public copies of our submitted IAAC documentation including:
The Kennebecasis River flows around Sussex to the southwest, while three tributaries of the Kennebecasis River, Trout Creek, Parsons Brook, and Ward Creek, flow directly through the community. Together, these four watercourses form part of the Kennebecasis Watershed.
Extreme climate change-driven flooding in Sussex has caused millions of dollars in damage over the past decade. Sussex commissioned several studies and developed a Regional Flood Risk Mitigation Plan to alleviate the recurring flooding issues. As an initial step of the Mitigation Plan, a flood berm was constructed along the Kennebecasis River behind the Town’s Gateway Mall in 2019, providing flood protection for the northwestern area of the Town during the flood events of December 2020 and February 2024 and to complete the necessary prerequisite project to facilitate the future flood mitigation measures. Flood studies were conducted by the Town’s consulting engineers GEMTEC in 2022 to estimate flood levels in the Kennebecasis River and its tributaries resulting from a future (projected to the year 2100) 100-year storm event. Without additional flood mitigation measures, it was predicted that over 450 properties would be affected by this future flood event.
Our Flood Mitigation Proposal includes the optimum combination of flood mitigation measures, which are also the remaining measures to be implemented as part of the Regional Flood Risk Mitigation Plan. This will include the construction of two channels that will redirect excess flood water from Parsons Brook and Trout Creek into the Kennebecasis River. By implementing targeted flood mitigation measures, the project aims to significantly decrease the frequency, severity, and extent of flooding along Trout Creek and Parsons Brook. The project seeks to safeguard critical infrastructure, reduce property damage, and minimize disruption to the local population. These efforts are designed to enhance the long-term resilience of Sussex against future flood events.
The key components of the Project include:
Parsons Brook Diversion Channel. A 580 metre channel extending northeast from Parsons Brook near Sussex Corner Elementary School to Trout Creek, with the discharge point located 350 metres upstream of the Post Road Bridge. The channel will pass through recreational green spaces near the school, coming within 100 metres of the building. The closest residence to the channel is 50 metres from the intake structure at the intersections within 200 m of the proposal channel.
Trout Creek Diversion Channel. A 1,600 metre channel extending north from Trout Creek near Brown’s Paving Ltd. to the floodplain of the Kennebecasis River, east of Aiton Road and north of Route 1. Five homes along Bryant Drive and Canterbury close are within 200 meters of the channel’s southern end, and at Leonard Drive, the channel will be 20 to 30 meters from nearby homes.
The proposed diversion channels cross municipally-owned, provincially-owned, and privately-owned land. Other upgrades associated with the Project include the construction of two bridge/overpass structures on New Brunswick Route 1, construction of a culvert or Bridge at Leonard Drive, raising the bridge deck elevation of a section of New Brunswick Route 890 and the adjacent covered bridge, and the addition of minor flow control measures to the storm sewer system downtown Sussex.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $38.25 million, which includes $15.7 million for highway bridges on Route 1.
Funding applications to Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) was submitted for the Project in July 2023 for $15.3 million in federal funding, accounting for 40% of the project eligible costs. In addition to the request for federal funding, an application was submitted to the Provincial Government of New Brunswick under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for just over $12.6 million, accounting for 33%. Approval for both the federal DMAF and provincial ICIP funding was received for the Project in June 2024. Sussex will cover the remaining 27% of the project cost at approximately $10.3 million by using reserved funds, borrowing, and drawing from its annual budgets during the design and construction phases.
The project is expected to take about three to five years to complete, depending on how quickly all necessary approvals are obtained. The design phase is currently underway, with details like the size of the channels, environmental considerations, and bridge specifications being finalized. This design work should be finished by 2025. Construction is planned to begin in 2026, with bridge work on Route 1 taking two years (2026 and 2027), and work on Route 890 and Leonard Drive bridges set for 2026 or 2027. The diversion channels and hydraulic control structures are also planned for construction during 2026 and 2027, with the full project expected to be operational by 2028. This project is designed to last for 80 to 100 years, providing long-term flood protection. Routine maintenance, like clearing debris and mowing, will be needed to keep the channels working efficiently, but the overall design and materials are built to ensure the channels remain effective for decades to come.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION CONTINUES:
The development of the Regional Flood Risk Mitigation Plan, and the subsequent Sussex Flood Mitigation Proposal, involved extensive consultations with landowners, businesses, government agencies, and Indigenous communities. A public meeting was also held in March 2022 to gather input. The main concerns raised during these consultations included:
Consultations with stakeholders will continue throughout the planning and implementation of the project to ensure concerns are addressed. A high-level project description was sent in June 2024 to the Chiefs of all Mi’gmaq and Wolastoqey First Nations. Specific feedback has been received from the First Nation Communities:
The Town and GEMTEC met with MTI representatives in July 2024 to discuss archaeological concerns and agreed to have an Indigenous Monitor present during the archeological assessment. Ongoing communication and cooperation with Indigenous groups, Infrastructure Canada, and the New Brunswick Department of Indigenous Affairs will continue to ensure all concerns are addressed appropriately as we proceed further with our project development.
For further information please contact Scott M. Hatcher, P. Eng. CAO Sussex during normal business hours
Previous Flood Mitigation Plan Updates:
Areas of Sussex are set to witness the latest advancement in the Flood Mitigation berm construction project as the Town’s engineering consultants commence drone operations to capture a digital terrain survey model of the Meadow Crescent Berm construction area.
Starting November 19, 2024, certified drone operators will utilize Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to conduct these operations over a period of up to two weeks, as weather allows.These drone flights will be carefully executed within designated project areas.
This initiative aims to create a detailed digital terrain model that will aid in the effective planning and execution of the berm construction. This innovative approach marks an exciting step forward in the Flood Mitigation Plan.
Residents can expect to see drones in the air as they capture high-resolution images and data critical for the project’s success. The use of UAV technology not only streamlines the surveying process but also enhances safety and efficiency, allowing for comprehensive coverage of the construction area without the need for extensive ground inspections.
Sussex encourages it’s residents to stay engaged with the ongoing developments of this exciting project.
Check out October’s Flood Mitigation Plan Update regarding core sampling: https://sussex.ca/core-sampling-underway-sussexs-flood-mitigation-project-advances/
For more information on the Flood Mitigation Master Plan: https://sussex.ca/flood-mitigation-master-plan-funding-announced/
Updates will be provided here, through VoyentAlert and on Facebook.
November 22, 2024 – 3:20PM: THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY HAS BEEN LIFTED.
BOIL WATER ADVISORY has now been RESCINDED:
The Town and Department of Health have received the laboratory results from the second round of water quality testing. The Town is pleased to report that lab analysis has communicated that both our first and second set of tests are satisfactory.
To that end, The Town has been advised by the District Medical Officers of Health that the Boil Water Order / Advisory has been rescinded. There is no further need to boil water in Sussex.
The Town would like to thank all residents for their cooperation and understanding.
November 22: The Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for Ward 1 (town of Sussex limits). There will be an update regarding the second round of water testing results provided today by 5:00pm.
November 21 (4:30PM): November 21, 2024 – Boil Water Advisory Update – Water Test Results:
The first round of water quality testing results have been received by the Town and the Department of Health. We are pleased to report that lab analysis have communicated our first set of results are satisfactory. What does this mean?
• Additional testing will be required to show a continuity of test results over consecutive sample days.
• The first set of results shows satisfactory water quality results
• The Town has submitted a second round of samples for lab analysis
Please note: The boil water advisory remains in effect until further notice. The Town appreciates your continued patience and cooperation. We’ll update you as soon as we have more information. Remember to keep boiling your water for drinking, cooking, and dental hygiene until we officially announce that it’s safe to resume normal water use. Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for your understanding during this time.
November 21: The Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for Ward 1 (town of Sussex limits). There will be an update regarding water testing status later this afternoon.
November 20: The Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for Ward 1 (town of Sussex limits). For a map of Ward 1 and Ward 2, please see attached maps below.
November 19: The Town of Sussex wishes to advise that while the Town was performing scheduled work on a section of the Main Street watermain that supplies potable water to residences / businesses in Ward 1 on Tuesday November 19, 2024, that unexpectedly, the Town experienced catastrophic failure of the watermain in that area that has impacted service pressures in Ward 1. The restoration of the water system work will require an assessment in the water system integrity in Ward 1 that could result in a potential contamination of drinking water, and, as such it is necessary to undertake this advisory as a precaution.
Work on the localized area of impact, the failure area, is expected to take approximately 8 hours to complete system repairs. This water system work will require a breach in the water system integrity that could result in a potential contamination of drinking water in the immediate area of the break / failure, and, as such it is necessary to undertake this advisory as a precaution.
Ward 2 residents are unaffected by this advisory.
WARD 1 – AREAS IN BLUE
WARD 2 – AREAS IN YELLOW
WARD 1 – THE HIGHLIGHTED AREAS ARE ALL INCLUDED IN WARD 1.
The Town of Sussex apologizes for this inconvenience, but your health is our primary concern.