It’s official. As of Wednesday, Springhill, N.S. is no longer a town.
And, two former municipal police officers will now patrol the community as members of the RCMP.
“It’s exciting,” says RCMP Cst. Ken Jackson. “Yet it’s sad, because we had to leave some colleagues behind, and some good people.”
The decision to dissolve the town was made more than a year ago, due to growing costs and a shrinking tax base.
It left the town in dire straits economically.
“It’s been a difficult road for the past year and a half,” explains former Mayor Max Snow. “We had to do what we had to do, and now we’re looking forward to more sustainable future for Springhill.”
The loss of town status has been bittersweet for many town residents.
There are supposed to be tax benefits to joining the county, but some believe things will never be the same.
“Being here for 70-some, going on 77 years, it’s hard to take,” says resident Bernice Fraser. “Hard to swallow.”
“It’s here now so it can’t get any worse,” adds resident Dave Mitchell. “We were in debt $5 million, $6 million, so hopefully the county pulls her out. We’ll wait and see.”
The community of Bridgetown also lost its town status on Wednesday, and Hantsport is in the middle of the process.
Municipal Affairs Minister Mark Furey says there may be others in the next year or so.
“I think the opportunity is there for more in 15, 16 and it will depend on the discussions that we’re having and how we move forward,” he explains.
Former Mayor Snow will represent Springhill on county council for now.
A special election will be held in late May to pick two representatives for the community.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh.
