Shelburne County municipalities to consider SWSDA alternatives

By Carla Allen and Greg Bennett

The Coast Guard

NovaNewsNow.com

Shelburne Deputy Mayor Elizabeth Acker describes it as the very beginnings of what could lead to the formation of a Shelburne County Regional Development Authority.

The Town of Shelburne has asked all five county municipalities to a meeting in mid-November on the issue.

At this time, the South West Shore Development Authority, which is in the process of transitioning from a society to incorporation under the Regional Community Development Act, is the appointed body for this.

The question being put out to other councils is “Does SWSDA provide the best vehicle for this service or should we examine the possibility of establishing a Shelburne County Regional Development Authority?”

Acker doesn’t have an answer to that question. Although the organization has been mired in controversy over sales of the former navy base and old boys school properties in Shelburne County and is now battling a lawsuit and has reported financial difficulties, she noted that SWSDA has provided a valuable service for the county over the 15 years it has been in existence. “We are concerned to a degree over the financial situation,” said Acker. “But we need to look at the dollars and cents and decide what’s best for Shelburne County.”

Acker noted that SWSDA has been given to March 31 to conform to the Regional Community Development Act, which also offers the local municipal units some time to come to a decision.