CBC News Posted:Jun 8, 2011
A government-appointed panel is set to run the Town of Bridgetown, leaving some mayors wondering about the future of their own cash-strapped towns.
The Nova Scotia government is expected to name the three-person panel on Wednesday. It will replace the mayor and five councillors, who resigned May 31 over the town's financial mess.Several municipalities are watching the developments in Bridgetown closely. They say they're in financial trouble too and need help. Westville Mayor Roger MacKay says municipalities in Pictou County are struggling to keep taxes reasonable despite mounting bills. He wants the province to fund a study to look at how Westville and its neighbouring municipalities can be restructured to save money. If nothing drastic happens, he doubts his community and others can survive. "With the province downloading and when you don't have other sources of revenue coming in and when you're trying to survive on residential tax rate, it's just writing on the wall," MacKay said. Annapolis Royal Mayor Phil Roberts agrees that drastic measures are needed. "Whether it's looking at amalgamation or annexation or something that would make the situation more viable and more realistic," he said. Roberts says his town has already pared down programs and services, and it's still not enough. He says once the town's chief administrative officer retires next May, council will leave the job vacant.Last week, John MacDonell, minister of municipal relations, said he doesn't know of any other towns on the brink like Bridgetown. He later ordered a forensic audit after department staff uncovered a confusing web of financial statements and bills. In some cases, residents got water or tax bills even though they had already paid them. RCMP are investigating a complaint from the town about a possible theft. In announcing their resignations, the mayor and councillors of Bridgetown said they were ovewhelmed with the town's financial problems, though they didn't give details.They said they were stepping down because of the "magnitude and complexity" of the money woes and the lack of financial and human resources to manage them.
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Original story: Bridgetown's problems unique: minister
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