The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board released a decision this morning that will alter the history of a small town in the Annapolis Valley.

The town of Hantsport will be dissolved at the end of this month and join District of the Municipality of West Hants as of July 1.

Mayor Rob Zwicker said Wednesday he is pleased and relieved that the process that began a little more than a year ago is winding up.

"I think it just marks a day where the community is finally moving forward with all the changes that will be taking place. Now we know the decision has been made, let's start putting positive energy into moving forward."

The board did not grant the area village status, saying it could cause "confusion" for residents.

Richard Dauphinee, the warden for West Hants, says his team will be ready for the takeover.

"They were in trouble, they lost two major industries. There's still a lot of work to be done before July 1. But we're trying to make this seamless and give Hantsport the same level of service.

Hantsport resident Marsha Sefcik said she is disappointed that Hantsport is dissolving as a town and concerned about receiving the same level of municipal services after it joins the District of the Municipality of West Hants. (CBC)

Residents like Marsha Sefcik aren't so sure that will happen.

She said she was disappointed the village status was denied.

"We're just one square mile and only 1,100 people so when you combine us with the rest of West Hants, are we going to get the resources and the assistance that we need?"

Sefcik also expressed concern about how the process was carried through.

"I feel that the whole dissolution was rushed and residents weren't necessarily weren't really listened to."

The town of Hantsport, incorporated as a town in 1895, was once a thriving shipbuilding centre and had many other big businesses including a large pulp mill and the gypsum plan.

The town faced a significant economic loss with the closure of Fundy Gypsum and Minas Basin Pulp and Power.

As a result, commercial tax revenues dropped by approximately $1.02 million in the past five years.

"It could have raised taxes, but because of its relatively small population, significant increases would have been required to make up the shortfall," the Utility and Review Board said in the decision.

A "dwindling" tax base made it hard for the town cover its aging infrastructure, it noted.

Still, the road to dissolution was lined with conflict.

Some councillors wanted the town's status to remain intact. Others argued dissolving and becoming part of another municipality was the only way out of financial difficulty.

"Even some marriages have been divided over this," said Coun. Phil Zamora before a council vote in December.