MUNICIPALITY OF SHELBURNE PASSES NEW STRATEGIC PLAN AND FORMALLY LEAVES SWSDA AT LATEST MEETING
February 24, 2010

SHELBURNE – The Council of the Municipality of Shelburne capped off the month of February by approving the final version of a new strategic plan and moving forward with the transition from SWSDA membership.

The strategic plan was developed through the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) process and is a roadmap for the municipality in the near and long term. The Plan was developed over the last year and a half and consisted of extensive community consultations and analysis. The implementation of the recommendations from the Plan will be considered by Council in the upcoming budget process but the Municipality has already moved ahead with some recommendations including industrial park development, a new sewage treatment plant, and an eastern Shelburne County energy strategy.

Council also unanimously passed a motion to not join the new regional development agency being proposed by SWSDA. The Municipality of Shelburne will work with other municipal jurisdictions in the County to develop a regional development model. Until then, we will continue to push local economic development initiatives with our funding partners.

Council also moved to adopt one of the services traditionally offered by SWSDA in Shelburne County, the Volunteer Services Program. This program manages and coordinates volunteer resources in the area. Council agreed to continue funding this program in 2010-11 and it will be administered by the municipalities in Shelburne County.

Council also approved the following:

• Andrew Goreham has been appointed as a building and fire inspector for the Municipality.
• Dillon Consulting has been awarded the contract to complete the eastern Shelburne County Energy Strategy.
• Three new bylaws were introduced, Repeal, Emergency Management Response, and Shelburne County East RCMP Advisory Board.
• Hank Falk has been reappointed to the Tri County Housing Authority Board

Council has also agreed to lobby the Nova Scotia Department of Justice to not close the local public prosecutor’s office and to write to the local MLA to oppose the government’s decision not to host a pre budget consultation meeting in Shelburne County.

Contact: Kirk Cox
Chief Administrative Officer
902.875.3544 #223
kcox@municipalityofshelburne.ca