The mayor of Shelburne says new families are moving into the town.
In fact, Karen Mattatall says it’s the only community that’s growing in southwestern Nova Scotia.
“I guess, I’m a little bit biased. I think it’s the most beautiful town in southwestern Nova Scotia. I attribute the majority it to the people here. They attract other people. When people visit or they have family or friends here they find out it really is a great place to live.”
She says that’s why the council approved a capital budget with nearly three dozen projects planned, including a new family centre and upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility.
Mayor Mattatall says the council has also committed to a major investment in the Shelburne Marine Terminal.
“It has required some extensive work over the years and we’re going to complete that this year and we hope it will attract new business.”
Mattatall says they also plan road paving projects throughout town including the seal coating of Falls Lane and Water Street and improved downtown parking.
Here are some other highlights of Shelburne’s 2018-2019 budget provided to us by the town:
-34 new capital projects totaling $4.8 million
-supported by a projected $2.87 million in external funding (60%). An additional $665,000 in capital spending for 2018-19 will be financed from the Town’s capital reserves, to which the Council has been steadily contributing in recent operating budgets.
-2018-19 follows on a busy 2017-18 which saw the Town undertake an additional 23 capital projects at a projected cost of $4.34 million, supported by a projected $2.44 million in external funding (56.3%); an additional $224,709 in financing for 2017-18 was drawn from the Town’s capital reserves. All but 3 of these 2017-18 projects are now successfully completed, with the remainder to be completed by September, 2018.
-Key investments in the 2018-19 capital budget include:
” A commitment to completing the major $2.8 million Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrades project this year, to prepare our sewer system to meet future requirements;
” A new Shelburne Family Centre. Building on Shelburne’s status as the only community in Southwest Nova Scotia with a growing population of young families the Town proposes a new community facility consolidating supportive services for families of all ages under one roof;
” Continued investment in parks, trails and greenspaces including support for proposed Graham’s Park Skatepark project;
” A contribution of up to $50,000 to the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club Sailing Academy in support of legacy upgrades to the youth sailing program, in preparation for hosting the International Albacore Championship, August 24th to 30th, 2019;
” Road paving projects throughout town including the seal coating of Falls Lane and Water Street, following on prior widening projects, along with a commitment to improve downtown parking;
” Tourism initiatives including improved banners and visitors signage as well as a new public wifi network in the downtown;
” New Christmas decorations for town streets as requested by residents;
” Major investment in Shelburne Marine Terminal to attract new business and support the local economy for Town and area residents.
