Amalgamation appears to have hit a snag in Shelburne.
The municipality has accepted a staff report to stop the proposed process after financial risks were identified.
Warden Roger Taylor says they received infrastructure and financial studies that don’t support amalgamating with the town.
“With the financial picture as it currently exists, it would be a tough sell to our residents.”
Financial information suggests tax rates would increase, there would be depleted financial reserves and little ability to pay for new projects.
Taylor says it might work better if the town, instead, chose to dissolve.
“It would be a different matter put to the community. It would be more about how we manage things to ensure the best interests in all of our citizens.”
The municipality voted to stop the amalgamation process until financial risks are mitigated by the town.
They will finalize the decision during their November 23 meeting.
Meanwhile, the mayor of the town of Shelburne is very disappointed by the decision.
Karen Mattatall says the two units have been working together on the initiative for about two years.
She feels the financial report, painting the town as a financial risk, is inaccurate.
“It presented a worst-case scenario. However, there is lots of opportunity to look at that model because it was just that, a model.”
She points to the town’s operating reserve – which grew by over $375,000 between 2010 and 2015.
Mattatall says they will present the studies to people at their December 16 meeting.
