MOU process reaching final leg

It’s the final leg of the race for four local municipal units wanting to amalgamate into one governing body.

Lisa MacDonald, CAO for New Glasgow, said the units of Pictou, New Glasgow, Municipality of Pictou County and Stellarton have until Friday to file their application for amalgamation with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

The original deadline for the filing was Jan. 20, but the URB granted an extension because the province was not ready with the letter of intent.

The four municipal units have been working out a business plan for a new amalgamated government for more than a year. Trenton and Westville have opted to not take part in the amalgamation.

After the Feb. 5 deadline is met, the MOU steering committee will host a series of public meetings so everyone can get a look at the proposed business plan for the new municipal government.

MacDonald said people will be able to ask questions and have the information they need to vote in the upcoming plebiscite.

Councils will also have time to debate the proposed amalgamation and vote in the business plan. Councils have until June 20 to decide if they want to be part of the amalgamation.

Meanwhile, the URB will be hosting its own public hearings on the topic beginning March 7. Anyone wanting to speak at these hearings or present written submissions must contact the URB before Feb. 24.

Council for the Town of New Glasgow issued a public notice Friday that they will be convening a Special Public Meeting on Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the New Glasgow Town Hall to consider a recommendation report from their Memorandum of Understanding Steering Committee on Municipal Reform, and the adoption of a related Letter of Intent with the Province of Nova Scotia.