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2023 - 2026
Valley Waters
Community Strategic Plan
Adopted October 2023
Photo credit: Mike Sherwood
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the Mayor ...................................
3
Valley Waters Community Profile ........................
4
Our Valley Waters Council .................................
5
Our Values and Guiding Principles ......................
5
Our Mission and Vision ....................................
6
Strategic Planning Methodology .........................
7
Strategic Themes ............................................
8
The Key Objectives ..........................................
9
Implementation - Next Steps .............................. 14
Appendix A - SWOC Analysis .............................. 15
Appendix B - Community Engagement Feedback ..... 16
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MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
On behalf of Council and staff, I am pleased to present the 2023-2026 Valley Waters
Community Strategic plan.
The strategic plan is built upon a foundation of 5 key strategic themes that have been
identified from feedback from residents through several public consultation sessions held
throughout Valley Waters, along with consultation sessions at Belleisle Regional High
School and other community groups. We will be building upon the 5 Key foundational
strategic themes over the next three years, with your help, as we set up committees to
work on putting our strategic plan into action.
I would like to thank Council, staff, and our community for the work that has been put into
the development of our strategic plan. Throughout our consultation sessions, the passion
for our community and the compassion that our residents have for each other were
demonstrated clearly. We are truly blessed to live in Valley Waters, our natural
surroundings, and the support for each other are second to none.
Let's Move Valley Waters Forward Together!
Randy McKnight
Mayor of Valley Waters
Photo credit: Mike Sherwood
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VALLEY WATERS COMMUNITY PROFILE
Valley Waters covers a geographic area of 726 sq. kms in the southern area of
New Brunswick. It is a new Village, legally incorporated on January 1st, 2023,
as a result of the province-wide Local Government Reform process, and
merging the communities of Springfield, Kars, Wickham, part of Norton LSD,
part of Upham LSD and the former village of Norton.
As the name suggests, its majestic hills and valleys are surrounded by water
(the Saint John River, the Belleisle Bay, the Kennebecasis River and
Washademoak Lake). Valley Waters is now one of 21 villages in New
Brunswick. Approximately 4950 people
(2021 census) live in 2940 residences and are served by 3 fire departments, 3
schools, 583 kms. of roads, 2 ferries, 5 public wharves, and several bridges
(including two covered bridges).
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Forward-
focused
-Optimism,
big-picture
thinking,
with a view
to the
future
Commitment
- Hard work,
giving back
Collaboration
- Teamwork,
unity, bridge-
building,
trust and
respect
Our Legacy
-Respecting
our rural
lifestyle and
history
Stewardship
- Responsible
fiscal
management
to protect
and build on
our assets
Integrity
- Honesty,
accountability
and
transparency
OUR VALLEY WATERS COUNCIL TEAM
Left to right: Councillor Harold Keith, Councillor Stephen Muir, Councillor Carey Beth Gillis,
Mayor Randy McKnight, Councillor Lindsey Ganong, Councillor Charity McDonald, Deputy Mayor
Ann-Marie Snyder
OUR VALUES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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MISSION AND VISION
OUR MISSION
The Mission Statement for an organization is its reason for being. It answers the
following questions: What do we do? For whom? Why and how do we do it?
VALLEY WATERS MISSION STATEMENT
To enhance the quality of life within Valley Waters through
compassionate and responsible leadership, and by balancing a
future-thinking approach with our rural lifestyle.
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE
The Vision Statement for an organization is an aspirational description of
what the community would like to achieve or accomplish in the mid-to-long
term future. It provides a clear guide for choosing current and future courses
of action.
VALLEY WATERS VISION STATEMENT
A proud rural municipality, creating identity and opportunities
through our natural and historical assets.
Photo credit: Mike Sherwood
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METHODOLOGY
The Council for the new village of Valley Waters recognized early on that a cohesive
strategy would be essential for bringing the communities together in a fair, organized, and
thoughtful way.
Following the by-election to elect the final two members of Council, the team was led
through an initial planning session by CAO, Angela McLean, where they identified the
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of the new entity (See SWOC Analysis
in Appendix A).
Council also realized that feedback from the constituents would be vital if the strategic
plan was going to be meaningful. Between April and June of 2023, eight community
engagement sessions were conducted throughout Valley Waters: Springfield, Wickham,
Norton, Belleisle Regional High School, Upham, Kars, Norton Fire Dept., and Belleisle
Valley Fire Dept. (See summary of feedback in Appendix A).
After formalizing the Mission, Vision, and Values statements, Council reviewed the
feedback from the community meetings in order to determine the priorities and objectives
for the final Strategic Plan.
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STRATEGIC THEMES
This set of 5 key strategic themes became obvious as feedback from the
community and Council was being compiled. These themes will help Council
stay focussed on our priorities as we move into the future. Please see the
following pages which summarize the key objectives for each of the themes.
STRONG AND
VIBRANT
COMMUNITIES
ECONOMIC
PROSPERITY
RESPONSIBLE
GOVERNMENT
SUSTAINABLE
INFRASTRUCTURE
OUR WAY OF LIFE
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STRONG AND VIBRANT COMMUNITIES -
Objectives
Improved access to
Health Care
Work with Sussex Area Health Group to explore
different service delivery models:
* Nurse practitioners
* Virtual healthcare (need better internet)
* Mobile clinics / extra-mural
* A hub for outreach / part-time service
delivery
2024-2026
Continue to work with Sussex Area Health Group to
on Physician Recruitment
2023-2026
Housing
Gather needs assessment information to
understand affordable and appropriate housing
needs: (families, seniors, low-income, newcomers)
2024
Proper land use planning and zoning to encourage
/ support appropriate development
2024-2026
Investigate funding programs available to
municipalities for housing
2024
Maintain a reasonable tax rate
2023-2026
Seniors' Services
Hold a focus group meeting to bring all
Valley Waters seniors' groups together
(Get input from seniors before we decide on
priorities for them).
2023-2024
Daycare
Encourage registration on the Province's daycare
portal
ongoing
Survey residents in order to understand the need
(#'s, locations, ages)
Speak to existing Norton facility about their waitlist
2024
Food security
Support the school programs
2024
Identify possible community garden interest and
locations
2024
Safety and Emergency
Response
Explore options for police services
2024-2025
Get a better understanding of ambulance contract
and response times and lobby for improved
service.
2024
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ECONOMIC PROSPERITY - Objectives
Tourism Development
Determine which tourism assets to promote &
develop (focus on our rural nature and natural
assets)
2024
Seek grant opportunities to develop our
tourism assets
ongoing
Have a physical space for tourism info., as well
as on-line information
2024-2026
Ensure regional promotion is aligned with our
efforts
2024-2026
Designated Industrial
Park area
Explore land development opportunities across
from highway to leverage accessibility
2024
Support small business
development
Encourage name change for Sussex Chamber of
Commerce and promote memberships and
involvement
2023
Maintain small business development
information on website
ongoing
Promote local businesses
ongoing
Encourage DTI use of Evandale Ferry Shed to
keep local jobs
ongoing
Focus on retaining
youth
Align scholarships with local employment
needs (agriculture, trades)
2024-2026
Cultivate relationship with BRHS for student
focus group
2024-2026
Retention of existing
services and jobs
Lobby Province to promote use of expanded
Evandale Ferry maintenance facility
2023-2026
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RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT - Objectives
Deal with dangerous (and
unsightly?) premises
Identify priority properties
2024
Budget for enforcement and legal costs
2024-2026
Council and Staff Visibility in
the Community
Host special events
Appropriate by-laws, including
Land Use / Rural Plan
Council Committee to identify by-law
priorities
2023
Set target date to finish the By-Law
Review Process
2024
Initiate the Rural Plan with the Kings
RSC
2024
Communication with Residents Develop a Communication Strategy,
including brand and communication
tools
2024
Include marketing $$ in the budget for
pamphlets
2023-2026
Build a solid municipal
administration foundation
Assess service delivery gaps - ongoing
2023-2026
Include training and development in
budget - Council & Staff
2024-2026
Cost of Living / Affordability
Find new revenue sources to offset tax
increases: (eg. investigate Carbon Credit
Program as a revenue source)
2024-2026
Attract new residents to increase the
assessment base - balance growth with
rural lifestyle (promotion package /
newcomer welcome package)
2024-2026
Be well-represented on the
RSC Committees
Ongoing, as Committees are developed
2023-2026
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SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE - Objectives
Roads are a priority
Build the relationship with DTI - provincially
and locally
2023--2026
Lobby, through UMNB, for enhanced
communication process between DTI and
municipalities
2023-2026
Lobby for ongoing CCBF funding for Norton
streets
2023-2026
Ensure responsible
infrastructure
development
Update and expand the Norton Asset
Management Plan for Valley Waters
2024-2025
Develop a long-term capital plan for
Valley Waters, including climate-related risks
2024
Be ready with list of projects for
infrastructure funding announcements
2024-2026
Reliable, Affordable
Internet and Cell Service
Lobby government for better service
2023-2026
Share $$ program information with residents 2024
Well-equipped fire
departments
Plan for life-cycle replacement of equipment
in our budgets and capital plans
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WAY OF LIFE, RECREATION
AND CULTURE - Objectives
Develop recreation
opportunities for all
ages
Develop a Valley Waters Recreation Committee
with representation from all communities
2023-2024
Undertake a public survey to help set recreation
priorities
2024
Get info on local demographics
2024
Complete a Valley Waters recreation & culture
master plan: asset inventory, priorities for
development and investment
2023-2024
Feasibility study for possible rink improvements -
cover, paved surface for year-round useability
2024
Determine if we have any "regional and/or sub-
regional" recreation facilities to bring to the RSC
2024
Promote active living, and participation
Culture
Develop a Valley Waters Culture and Heritage
Plan to find ways to bring our history to life
2024-2025
Sense of Community
Build community knowledge through promotion
of recreation and culture assets
2023-2026
Build community pride and spirit through events
and activities, investigate grants for events
2023-2026
Build community identity -
1. Consistent Branding (incl. signage)
2. Council-led social events
2023-2026
Continue with Annual Volunteer Recognition
2024-2026
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STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
- Committees formed, Terms of Reference developed
- Establish measurable committee goals and timelines
- Regular reports to Council
- Annual work plans and budgets
- Annual reporting to the community and other
stakeholders
- Refine and revise the plan, as required
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APPENDIX A
SWOC Analysis
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APPENDIX B -
SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
STRONG AND VIBRANT COMMUNITIES
Springfield:
More activities for seniors, social / fitness /wellness activities for seniors
Better health care access, family doctor / nurse practitioner, mobile health care services
More daycare - use churches, halls, existing buildings, provide training for daycare staff, possible NBCC
satellite training
Better internet and cell service
Sidewalks
Preserve rural nature: country living, slower pace, volunteering
Promote recreational assets: trails, covered bridges, cable ferries, life on the Bay
Wickham:
Better roads
Better internet to allow working from home, better cell service
Doctors, better healthcare access
Community activities, events and functions to bring people together
Better emergency response (police and ambulance)
Better access to services for seniors (meals on wheels, etc.)
Checks on vulnerable seniors
Better communication, monthly newsletter / newspaper
Need more young people, so need work and activities for them
Need a store and gas bar in Wickham/Kars
History preservation
Do we need a foodbank?
Kars:
More housing
Seniors Resource Centre
More community activities and events
Better emergency roads for spring freshet
Plan for seasonal people, traffic & services
Kars should have its own Council member
Need a café / coffee shop to bring in tourists, ice-cream stop, kayaking, public access to the bay
Encourage small businesses, financial support
Public access to the Bay
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Better ambulance response times
More visible police presence
Tourism promotion, wharf and ferry beautification, bring back the Hampstead ferry
Deal with slum properties
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
Springfield:
Improved access, better signage and promotion of local attractions
Small business support
More access to services (stores, gas bar), esp., gas station in Kars, Wickham
Tourism rest stops
Promotion of our area
Tourist information centre: maps, info on attractions and accommodations, computer access
Carbon credit-capture
Wickham:
Signage for picnic , swimming, public access points to the bay
More recreation: Ball diamond, outdoor playground, walking trails, snowshoe trails
ATV connected trails between Lower Kars and Wickham
Local jobs
More services, general store / gas bar in Wickham
Local restaurant and places to gather
Invest in local recreation infrastructure, more things for youth to do
Better emergency response times (RCMP)
AED's in public places
Better cell service, better internet
Capitalize on the traffic coming through
Boat launches
Public beaches with parking and signage
Kars:
Legal ATV connection: Kars to Wickham to Springfield
Employment opportunities
Pontoon boat for tours of the Bay
Additional camping and boat ramp facilities
Good roads for everyone will bring more people and lead to more small businesses
Share fuel rebates
Better internet would allow working from home
Better roads will make access to work easier
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Support for recreation development (boating, camping, beaches)
A COSTCO store
Improved access to Pascobac Beach (or other local beaches)
Give the "average Joe" an opportunity to access the Bay: canteen, food truck, change rooms, lifeguard
Tax break for small business
Better use of natural resources (i.e.. wood)
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT
Springfield:
Roads: rural roads improved, fix potholes, cut trees along roadside, improved signage
Cut the tax rate
Wickham:
Roads: Complain more!
Cutting tree and bushes along roadside, re-paint yellow lines, use reflective road paint, ditching and tree
trimming, pot holes, signage,
Make emergency exit roads passable before freshet season
Government garage should be open year-round
A speed limit sign in Henderson Settlement
Taxes: keep the tax rate low,
Protect our rural way of life with few by-laws, respect for rural values and principle for land use, shores,
existing communities
Better ambulance response times
Better policing, lots of issues not being dealt with, lobby for more police
Improved cell service for medical issues
Google maps incorrect
Kars:
Lower taxes
Better response time for ambulance (look at Quebec model)
Better home care and social services
Few by-laws for rural areas
More Council representation for Kars
More police presence
Paint yellow lines every year, use reflective line paint
Environmental concerns (dumping in the bay), blue-green algae remediation
Promote and encourage farms and farmers
Satellite receiver for dispatching trucks
911 Civic addresses posted / mandated, remind people to get blue reflective numbers
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SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
Springfield:
Better cell service and high speed internet, affordable
Charging stations for electric cars
Better road maintenance
Transportation to Hampton and Sussex and Grand Bay
Kars:
Better cell service and high-speed internet, affordable
Better road maintenance, wider, potholes, re-paving and re-painting, ditching
Widen roads to accommodate bike lanes
Parking for cottages off-road
Improvement to the hall in Kars
Fire hall in Kars
Clear hydro lines of trees
More childcare
WAY OF LIFE, RECREATION & CULTURE
Springfield:
More activities for seniors
More public access to waterways for beach uses incl. swimming, boat launches
Promotion of nature-based recreation
Organize water events including canoeing, ice-fishing
Protect the country views
Wickham:
More community events, gatherings, festivals, outdoor movie nights, bbq's, cribbage, bingo, trivia, etc.
Promote local recreation facilities, incl. trails
Rec activities targeted to various age groups, including seniors
More activities for children / families
Clarification on rec centre property
Better wharf maintenance, boat launching at wharves
Preserve and maintain cemeteries
Fitness centre
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Summer activities / camps for kids
Fix the outdoor rink in Wickham
Kars:
Better home care
Seniors' housing and other social services
Community newspaper, possibly electronic
Community events at Kars Community Centre
Dredging at the wharves
Constructive recreation activities for youth
Seniors Special Care Home and Nursing Home
Satellite health clinics, nurse practitioner: flu shots, foot clinics, blood pressure checks, writing
prescriptions
Respite for seniors' daycare
Possible foodbank
Less rural regulation
Protect our environment