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Consultation has concluded
Each year, we invite residents to participate in our Your Government, Your Ideas engagement campaign in October, and tell us what’s important to them.
MODL has a master plan, which along with resident input, informs our strategic priority setting. As you can imagine, a number of priorities end up being fairly consistent year after year, while the actions we take to reach goals within those priorities may change.
Each year, we select a shortlist of projects to focus on. This is based on information we received from residents, community groups, the provincial and federal government, and staff. In late fall, Council meets to brainstorm on where our focus will be, keeping in mind the feedback and information we’ve received from these many sources.
After much discussion, Council approves the Municipality’s strategic priorities for the next 18 months. Council then works with staff over the winter to pass a budget in the spring based on these priorities.
Thank you to those who contributed their thoughts.
Each year, we invite residents to participate in our Your Government, Your Ideas engagement campaign in October, and tell us what’s important to them.
MODL has a master plan, which along with resident input, informs our strategic priority setting. As you can imagine, a number of priorities end up being fairly consistent year after year, while the actions we take to reach goals within those priorities may change.
Each year, we select a shortlist of projects to focus on. This is based on information we received from residents, community groups, the provincial and federal government, and staff. In late fall, Council meets to brainstorm on where our focus will be, keeping in mind the feedback and information we’ve received from these many sources.
After much discussion, Council approves the Municipality’s strategic priorities for the next 18 months. Council then works with staff over the winter to pass a budget in the spring based on these priorities.
Thank you to those who contributed their thoughts.
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Access to high-speed internet is of critical importance to the Municipality, and a key priority for our Council.
We were successful in partnering on two projects until the federal government’s $500 million Connect to Innovate fund, with EastLink and TNC Wireless. Both of these projects are now complete.
Council is pursuing multiple avenues for expanding internet service. Over the next two years, we will have over 99% of households connected to reliable, high-speed internet. This year will see $1.5 million invested by the Municipality.
We are committed to finding solutions to improve service for our residents.
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The Municipality is investing $145,000 this year in the promotion and awareness of the Municipality’s tourism sector through the implementation of a comprehensive wayfinding strategy. Wayfinding encompasses all of the ways in which people orient themselves in physical space and navigate from place to place.
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CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
The Municipality is partnering with municipal, provincial and federal partners on the construction of a water storage tank to enhance the water pressure in the Town of Bridgewater-owned Public Service Commission (PSC) water utility. This infrastructure addresses water pressure issues as well as opening up adjacent lands for serviced development, including expansion of Osprey Village.
Additionally, MODL will undertake a feasibility study to identify the possible construction of a community hub, and how such facility will be funded and operated long term.
Council is also exploring options for transit connectivity between Osprey Village and the Town of Bridgewater.
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CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
The Municipality has a track record of strong financial management, while continuing to meet the needs of residents. We are committed to using taxpayer dollars effectively and responsibly.
We have maintained the tax rate despite cost pressures. The residential tax rate has not increased in 12 years, while the commercial rate has remained constant for nine years.
MODL will make our final debt payment in October of this year and will be one of just two municipalities in Nova Scotia to be debt-free.
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CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
The work we are doing on the LaHave River Straight Pipe Replacement Project meets priorities in both sustainable planning and investment in infrastructure. The program does not use municipal tax dollars. Any costs that are not covered by grants are repaid by the homeowners receiving the new systems.
The Municipality has replaced 228 straight pipes in the Wastewater Management District. Our goal is to make the lower LaHave River straight pipe free by 2023.
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Council continues to aggressively pursue expansions to the network of public parks and trails. The 2021/22 budget includes funding for trails and active transportation, including $276,000 for the final phase of River Ridge Common. In addition, $242,000 is committed for trail and park improvements including: Indian Falls Trail, the Adventure Trail, the New Germany Trail Bridge, and numerous roads at municipal parks and beaches.
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Recruiting and retaining active members to the Fire Service has been a long-running issue across Nova Scotia. MODL has a Recruitment and Retention Strategy for the Municipality and its fire departments. This plan aims to help volunteer fire departments overcome barriers to recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.
This year, MODL has launched a fire service appreciation event grant as well as training grants, and implemented a new, enhanced member and family assistance programs for firefighters.
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In 2017 the Province of Nova Scotia proclaimed Bill 59 – An Act Respecting Accessibility in Nova Scotia with the goal of making Nova Scotia accessible by 2030. All five municipal units in Lunenburg County have endorsed the Lunenburg County Accessibility Plan, created to improve accessibility in our region and meet the provincial mandate outlined in the Accessibility Act.
We will continue to support the regional accessibility initiative and begin the local planning for improvements to MODL services and facilities.
MODL is working on the development of a strategy to increase community resilience to drought conditions, including a review of the existing water coupon program.
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CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
Council is investing in funding and staff resources to explore anti-racism and inclusion issues in the Municipality. This will involve working cooperatively with other municipalities or external consultants to identify barriers to full economic and social inclusion.
