PICTOU -
Pictou Council voted 3-2 to implement a deed transfer tax to fund a proposed wellness centre for Pictou County at Tuesday night's council meeting.
The meeting was open to the public and about 60 people showed up to express both concern and support for the project and the inevitable tax.
The tax will only be on purchases of property, said CAO Scott Conrad.
Many still feel the county does not need a centre such as the one proposed and had many questions surrounding it.
Coun. Bob Naylor said he would not support the tax based on the overwhelming evidence that Pictou residents do not want the wellness centre.
Coun. Raymond Gregory also opposed the tax.
"We're doing something that affects the lives of people, not for two to three months but for years and years to come."
However, Mayor Joe Hawes and councillors Ken Johnston and Shawn McNamara voted for the tax.
McNamara said his biggest fear was that if Pictou didn't make the decision they would lose out in the end.
"It's our job to fight to make sure Pictou is up at the top."
Hawes said he wished he had a better business plan, after hearing such concerns from the public, but said the project is for the good of Pictou County.
"Sometimes, just sometimes, you have to go on faith."
