‘We need to get it right’
Warden to bring forward motions dealing with future of two Bridgetown buildings
Annapolis County councillors will discuss the future of two buildings in Bridgetown next month.
Warden Alan Parish recently gave notice that he intends to bring forth a motion at the Feb. 8 committee of the whole meeting dealing with the former regional elementary school and town hall in Bridgetown.
“What we do with these two buildings in Bridgetown to me are decisions that are going to impact that community for generations,” said Parish, who represents District 3, which includes part of the former town. “We need to get it right for the benefit of the community.”
Parish’s motion asks for staff to obtain an estimate to demolish the former school, provide a report on its condition and provide an estimate of the value of the property if the land was sold as building lots.
He also wants to know if there would be a cost to the municipality to service those lots.
Parish said he wants the information before council decides on the future of the property. He said taking the best offer might be the best financial decision, but “I think we’d be doing a disservice to the community if we did that. ... I think we have to look at this as more than dollars and cents, although dollars and cents are important.”
The former elementary school closed following the opening of a new Primary to Grade 12 school in Bridgetown in 2017. After the elementary school was decommissioned, ownership was turned over to the municipality.
For the former town hall, the warden’s motion includes starting the process of registering the building as a municipal heritage property and requesting staff put together a report examining the pros and cons of selling the hall separate from the parking lot.
Some in the community would like to see the parking lot maintained so people could access downtown businesses.
Parish is also looking for information about what a sale of the property would mean for access to the POP site behind the town hall.
Because it was a notice of motion, there was no debate or vote on the substance of the motion. Councillors will have a chance to discuss the issue at February’s meeting.