Bedeque's amalgamation plan dismays many residents

Some residents who live in and around Bedeque, P.E.I., are unhappy with the community council's plans to annex several surrounding communities.

The communities of Bedeque and Central Bedeque amalgamated in 2014 to become Bedeque and Area. Now the council wants to expand its boundaries to include smaller communities including Fernwood, Chelton, Lower and North Bedeque and also portions of Freetown, Kelvin Grove and Middleton.

Anybody I've talked to on the outskirts, they feel there's pretty much an invasion of their rights.- Leonard Johnston

But many residents say they like things the way they are. About 400 people have signed a petition to protest the proposed annexation.

"People move out into rural areas, into smaller communities, because they don't need the extra taxes, they want more freedom, they don't want more regulations," said Craig Avery, who has been living in Lower Freetown for about 11 years.

Central Bedeque resident Leonard Johnston said, "I don't think there's very many people happy about this and anybody I've talked to on the outskirts, they feel there's pretty much an invasion of their rights."

Lower Freetown resident Peter Stavert is building a new potato warehouse and he's concerned about taxes going up.

"I worry about the assessment and how much more we'll have to pay in taxes for it."

'I hope it happens'

Taxes will go up three cents per $100 in property value, says the Bedeque and Area Council.

But Coun. Don MacFarlane says there is strength in numbers and annexation means more provincial funding.

"Our gas tax right here just for the two villages was around $38,000. If we had been annexed, like we're proposing, we would have been eligible for $250,000 gas tax."

MacFarlane says every area would also have a representative on a new council and annexation will prevent rural areas from being swallowed up by other larger municipalities with even higher taxes.

"I hope it happens. I'm scared that if it doesn't happen, other communities will come in," he said.

The province says it supports a recent report that says the existing 74 P.E.I. municipalities are not sustainable.

The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission will hold public meetings on Bedeque's proposal and make a recommendation to the province.

Bedeque and Area Council expect it will take at least six months for the province to reach a final decision.

Meanwhile, many residents from the surrounding area say they plan to put up signs to voice their opposition.