Windsor, West Hants ordered to pay for amalgamation study

Citizens trying to force the merger of the Town of Windsor and themunicipal districtof West Hants scored a victory Thursday.

Government regulators ordered the two feuding governments not thecitizens pick up the $500,000 cost of studies required to justify anamalgamation.

"It's a great day and it's a great ruling," Avon Region Citizens Coalition member KathyMonroesaid.

"It prevents the derailment of the amalgamation effort in this area."

The coalition applied to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to dissolveboth governments earlier this year, with members saying they'refed up with bickering between Windsor and West Hants.

The neighbouring governments have been unable to agree on sharingthe cost of basic services, such as fire protection.Nearly 20 per centof residents in both placessigned a petition in support of the merger application.

The Town of Windsor is for amalgamation and West Hants is opposed.

West Hants argued the Avon region citizens group should pay for thestudies, telling regulators "there is not sufficient support amongstresidents of the municipality for amalgamation to warrant the greatpublic expense and inconvenience of a merits hearing."

Ina decision issued Thursday,the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Boardrejected that argument.

'Strong public interest'

The regulator said making citizens pay "would result in a significantfinancial impact upon individual members of that organization."

The regulator was swayed by the fact thatalmost 20 per centof electors in eachunit signed the application.

"There is a strong public interest in determining whether amalgamationis in the best interests of the inhabitants if the region," the boardruled.

'Not the right time to jump'

Later that afternoon,West Hants issued a statement expressing disappointment with the decision.

"We continue to believe that this is not the right time to jump into amalgamation for West Hants," Warden Richard Dauphinee said in the statement.

Dauphinee notedthe decision comes two weeks before a municipal election whereamalgamation is a central issue.

"With upcoming election, residents will havethe opportunity to voice their opinion on amalgamation," he said.

Amalgamation possible by 2018

The studies will examine the impact of amalgamation on taxes,municipal human resources and governance in the area, among otherissues.The province has agreed to fund other studies on roads and streets,policing, deed transfer tax and equalization.

The board also set out a timeline, wanting to holda hearing by the fall of 2017. If approved, amalgamationwould occur in April 2018.

The board has not decided whether a plebiscite will be held.WithMonroeone of the 25 candidates running for10 seats on West Hants council, a plebiscite of sorts is underway now.

Read the full decision by Nova Scotia's Utility and Review Board: