The Municipality of Cumberland is saying goodbye to a longtime member of its development and planning department following a 27-year career.
Nelson Bezanson, who joined the municipality on an interim basis in 1997, is retiring. His last day on the job is Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Bezanson was recognized for his contributions during a luncheon at the Upper Nappan Service Center on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
A native of New Ross, N.S., Bezanson studied at Acadia University and Mount Allison University before getting his masters degree in environmental studies from Wilfred Laurier and the University of Waterloo in Ontario. He worked as a summer student for the municipality in 1995 and joined the organization full-time two years later.
Since 2005 he has worked in development and planning, most recently as a planner.It was at Mount Allison where he was introduced to the former Rural and Small Towns Program and fell in love with planning.
Municipality of Cumberland chief administrative officer Greg Herrett (left) and director of development and planning Glen Boone (right) thank municipal planner Nelson Bezanson for his 27 years of service to residents of the municipality. Bezanson retired on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Darrell Cole – Municipality of Cumberland photo
“At Mount A there was a rural and small towns research and study program. It was a great program that was really interesting,” he said. “I’m very much a small community person. I grew up in a small community and have a good feeling for small communities. I wanted to help those communities be good places and see them develop in a conscious way.”
Bezanson looks back fondly on his career working in Cumberland County, joking his trial by fire of sorts was handling the public engagement portion of the decision in the late 90s to move streetlights from the general tax rate to the area rate system.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in public service,” said Bezanson, whose wife retired from Indigenous Affairs in Amherst several years ago. “There’s a tremendous family here and real sense of internal support.
“Being a public servant can be a real challenge. Some people see it, but a lot don’t see it. You do your best for people and for council. You appreciate they’re decision makes and we give them the information and advice to make decisions.”
One of the things he’s appreciative of is Cumberland County being one of the few municipalities with a comprehensive land-use bylaw that is up to date and consistent across the municipality.
In retirement, he plans to do some work on his home in East Amherst and eventually wants to sell that property and build a new home.
Municipality of Cumberland chief administrative officer Greg Herrett congratulated Bezanson on an exemplary career.
“The municipality truly appreciates the contributions he has made over his time with us, whether it be his role in implementing comprehensive land-use planning in rural areas of the county or dealing with our recent unprecedented growth. As CAO I’d like to thank Nelson for a job well done and certainly wish him well in his next chapter,” Herrett said.
Glen Boone, director of development and planning, said Bezanson will be missed for his professionalism and dedication to the customer.
“Nelson has been a big part of our success within the municipality,” Boone said. “His professionalism and dedication will be missed. He has always been customer-service oriented and has always been the people’s planner.”