Bridgetown: Creating a vision for the future

By Heather Killen

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

The Town of Bridgetown is hoping its residents will offer up some choice words to describe it.

As municipalities across Nova Scotia are in various stages of completing Integrated Community Sustainability Plans, Bridgetown seems to be finally turning the page on some of its past challenges and is now ahead of the game.

Last week, it held a public session to update its residents on the progress made to regroup and rebuild. The council began developing its own long-term strategy three years ago, according to its mayor, Art Marshall.

Where many municipalities have hired consultants to help them prepare the plans that are now required to qualify for federal gas tax shares, Bridgetown is putting the finishing touches on its plan. While much of the work is complete, the final piece of the plan -- a vision statement for the town -- has yet to be determined.

The town is inviting residents to submit their ideas on what they value most about Bridgetown; and the types of issues that are important, now and for the future. A sample vision statement was provided: “Bridgetown is a welcoming, safe and inclusive community that encourages community involvement, local and regional collaboration and diversity. We are respectful of the environment and our built, natural, and cultural heritage. We are committed to promoting an active healthy lifestyle and sustainable economic development. Bridgetown is a good place to live and raise a family.”

The town is asking residents to prepare written responses by November 30. The statement can take many forms, according to Mayor Marshall; but it should consider the best possible words to describe the town. “I think of the word resilience,” he said. “The town has bounced back from the downturns and closures of the past. It now faces new challenges in how to ensure our schools remain open. We certainly have faced challenges in the past and emerged stronger than before. We can do this again.”

The first part of the meeting focused on the town’s successes in overcoming a number of challenges since the newest council was elected. Mayor Marshall, chief administrative officer John Langmeade, and community development coordinator Steve Rafferty each offered reports on various aspects of the town’s progress in overcoming the challenges of aging and outdated infrastructure; reviving interest in social and cultural activities; and building a sustainable plan for future growth and development.

About 100 people attended the meeting and heard some good news about the progress made to revitalize the aging infrastructure of roads, sidewalks, water quality, and public buildings. Work will also soon begin on transforming the Revere Building on Queen Street into the new site for the public library. Remediation work is nearly complete at the site following a fuel spill last year that occurred when someone tried to steal heating oil.

Rafferty talked about the renewed interest in community recreational programs. Aside from upgrades to town recreational facilities such as the pool, the arena and Jubilee Park, there is now a wide range of recreational programs available to residents.

Belly dancing, tai chi, skateboarding, snowshoeing, hooping, kayaking and a range of youth initiatives are now taking place. “There’s a lot going on in small community,” he said. “It shows how people here are willing to work together and support programs.”

While much has been done to revitalize the town’s infrastructure and enhance the quality of life through recreational activities, a key component to community sustainability is the vision statement that names the community’s priorities and goals.

Geoff Agombar created a documentary based on 10 interviews he conducted with residents. Excerpts from the interviews were shown at the meeting, highlighting how these residents came to the area and asking them to identify what they saw as the town’s strengths and challenges. They were also asked what would ensure the community’s future sustainability.

While the answers varied, most residents answered that what they prized most about the community is the unique quality of life available here, and the sense of support within the community.

Some of the challenges noted were the lack of a cultural venue for performing arts; a casual meeting place such as a coffee shop in the downtown core; and the importance of attracting and keeping young families in the area.

At the last part of the meeting, all residents were invited to consider what aspects of the community they value and consider what kind of vision statement is appropriate to describe it. The vision statement should be unique to the community and identify its core values.

Mayor Marshall also reminded the group of two upcoming meetings that will impact the future of the town on November 16 and 17. The Annapolis Valley Regional School is conducting a review of its schools in consideration of declining enrollment.

Mayor Marshall told the group that the town is committed to supporting the position that Bridgetown and Lawrencetown students should continue to be able to receive education in their own communities.

He urged everyone to attend the meeting at Bridgetown Regional High School on November 17 at 7 p.m. Information on the school board’s position is available at www.avrsb.ednet.ns.ca; Information on the Bridgetown Stakeholders’ response is available online at www.town.bridgetown.ns.ca.