The Town of Parrsboro will no longer be a town as of Nov. 1.

In a decision released on Wednesday, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board approved an application by the town to dissolve into the neighbouring Municipality of the County of Cumberland.

Councillors for Parrsboro took the step in the face of questions about whether or not being a town was a viable governance model as the population declines and gets older.

Avoiding future financial challenges

The town faces declining revenue and significant infrastructure challenges, most notably a new waste-water treatment facility it must build. Finances have also hurt the ability to have enough staff for administrative and public works duties.

Seeing the mostly smooth experience Springhill had last year as it merged with the county, council for Parrsboro decided to take a similar step.

A model of the next five years showed the status quo would require Parrsboro to find $16.7 million for capital upgrades. That and other information presented at the board hearing backed the view the town was not sustainable in the long term.

Help from the province

As part of the agreement, the province will contribute $5.3 million for work in the town, $1.5 million of which is earmarked for the waste-water treatment work.

A new polling district will be created for the area, bringing the total number of seats on county council to 13.