Montague not interested in idea of large amalgamation

Montague town council has said no to the idea of amalgamating seven eastern P.E.I. communities.

Mayor Richard Collins said the boundaries proposed in the recentlycommissioned report for amalgamation in the Three Rivers region are too big.

The amalgamation proposal suggestedtaking in all the communities served by the fire districts of Montague, Georgetown and Cardigan.

"It's too big an area," said Collins.It's too far in distance to become one super town. And we also have a feeling that to bring in two towns, both 100 years old, may not be the right mix."

Collins saidhe thinks Montague is happy to stay as it is for now. He saidthe town doesn't plan to participate in any further discussions on the idea of the seven community amalgamation.

He said ifamalgamation does go forward in the future, the boundaries of the town should be expanded to areas only served by the Montague fire district.

That would include Montague, Lower Montague, Valleyfield, Brudenell and several unincorporated areas.

The mayor saidthe Montague fire district has 4,000 people and $200 million in assessed value.