Report outlines past accomplishments, future plans MALLARY MCGRATH The Charter

Branch resident John Corcoran reads the four-year report.

With another municipal election come and gone, the town of Branch has released a report of the accomplishments of the past four years as well as the plans for the next council term. The 12-page report was released on Oct. 20 to the residents of the community and held significant information for all ages.

The community developed a strategic plan in 2007 and in the report announced that it had reached 21 out of 32 goals that they had set for the town. The council is now working with the, "Integrated Community Sustainability Plan," which will help show the provincial government how Branch will survive in the future.

Newsletter

Other accomplishments include the newsletter, The Branch News, which is released to the community about three or four times a year and helps to keep residents updated on community events such as volunteer opportunities, job announcements and the latest information on the artesian well system. Branch is now in the final stages of providing the residents with clean water and is getting close to having a functional pump house and hook up to main water line.

During this past four years, Branch's council has developed many clubs and programs with the help of its dedicated volunteers. Such initiatives promote healthy living, being involved and comradery among residents. The community offered 'The Hall Walkers Club', 'The Homework Program', 'Self Care Day', 'Grief and Bereavement Sessions' and 'AA-start up' meetings.

Home cooked meal

Another achievement for the community, which has been enjoyed by many members of the Cape Shore, is 'The Singing Kitchen.' During the long cold months of winter, Branch has opened its community centre doors weekly or bi-weekly for this past two years to those who want to come in to a home cooked meal. This initiative has had very positive effects both with the young and old, as it provides an opportunity for socializing. 'The Singing Kitchen' was even awarded with a, "Promising Practice," award from the Active Living Coalition in Ottawa last year.

The need and desire for high-speed Internet access remains a concern and necessity for the town council and residents. It was released in the report that by 2010, Branch hopes to be on the connection list. While this past four years did not bring high-speed Internet access, the council worked diligently on increasing the amount of cable channels available to the area which happened in 2007.

'The Top 21 Reasons to Live in Branch,' was also developed in 2007, just in time for the Branch Come Home Year. These reasons attracted not only local attention but provincial and even national attention. A broadcast explaining the reasons were aired on CBC radio throughout the country.

Branch has also submitted a proposal to extend the boundaries of the community in order to make it easier to find available land to build a home for newcomers. Unfortunately however, Branch's population has been decreasing. Such a fact was proven at election time when there were 191 eligible residents to cast a ballot, which is down from the 233 that could cast a ballot in 2005.

Despite the declining population, the community's council has been working hard to ensure that those who have chosen to make their home in Branch have a great community to live in, raise a family in and call home. The four-year report exemplifies the council's dedication to the community and feeling that the residents deserved be aware of the many accomplishments and future goals of the town.

"We owed it to the residents," explained Mayor Priscilla Corcoran Mooney. "The four-year report is almost like a blueprint of where we have to go in the future but it is also really nice to point out how far we have come as a council and community."