Municipality decides against Shelburne Place deal

Team Shelburne’s next meeting is March 13.

During the last two Team Shelburne meetings Warden Paulette Scott asked the voting members, who represent each of county’s five municipal councils, to give the property to the municipality claiming “nobody else wants it.”

Team Shelburne manages the site for South West Shore Development Authority, which acquired the property from the provincial government along with enough funds to keep it running for two years.

Repeated efforts to sell the property fell flat so Warden Scott proposed that Team Shelburne give the property to the municipality as a new office building for staff and council and their government tenants because the current space has been deemed inefficient.

Team Shelburne has also considered demolishing buildings on the site. Shelburne Place is currently being tendered.

At the last Team Shelburne meeting Warden Scott said they would draw up a business plan for the next meeting to determine if acquiring the property was financially feasible.

“There is so much on our plate right now we don’t have time to get a business plan,” admitted Scott.

Lockeport Mayor and Team Shelburne chair, Darian Huskilson said he has been assured interest has been shown in the property although no tender bid has been received.

The Municipality of Shelburne would receive tax monies from any potential sale.

Mayor Huskilson, who reluctantly accepted the position of chair, does not hide his dislike for Team Shelburne.

“I feel that Team Shelburne is the biggest mistake we ever made,” he admitted. “We have done nothing in the past two years but waste time.

“I do whatever I can to ensure we have success for the community; this is my home and I care for what happens here.”

The fate of the property will remain unknown until a decision is made or the property sold.