Restoration of historic tennis courts, homelessness concerns, and economic development take center stage
The Committee of the Whole Meeting and Special Council Meeting for the Municipal District of St. Stephen, held on September 11, 2024, in the Moosehead Room at the Garcelon Civic Centre, covered a broad range of topics, from infrastructure improvements to economic development and community safety.
The session began with a heartfelt appeal from long-time residents and tennis enthusiasts Herb and Linda Duplissea, who advocated for the restoration of the Milltown Memorial Tennis Courts. The married couple highlighted the historical significance of the courts and their importance to local residents. “The Milltown Memorial Courts are used on an almost daily basis,” said Herb Duplissea, underscoring the need for action. “Users who have no other access to recreation can walk to the courts.” While acknowledging their lack of professional expertise, Linda Duplissea noted that they were prepared to provide relevant materials regarding court repair and construction, demonstrating their commitment to the project.
Following the Duplisseas’ presentation, council addressed a request for municipal consent from Galway Metals for mineral exploration activities within the area. Rob Richard, a representative from the company, assured council that they are following stringent environmental guidelines to minimize any impact. “We’re measuring all the metal content to ensure there’s no significant changes in the water quality,” said Richard.
Councillor David Hislop offered an update on the World’s Oldest Basketball Court, focusing on the success of recent fundraising efforts. “The Archie golf tournament was a great success this year, raising significant funds for the basketball court,” Hyslop reported, acknowledging the community’s involvement in preserving this important piece of local history.
Community safety was another focal point of the meeting, with Mayor Allan MacEachern and Director of Community Services Kev Sumner discussing recent incidents and concerns about homelessness as the colder months approach. “We are still dealing with some homeless issues in our community, and with the weather changing, it’s very concerning,” said Mayor MacEachern, voicing the urgency of addressing these challenges before winter sets in.
Planning was another significant topic on the agenda, with a presentation from the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission on updating the municipality’s bylaws. Senior Planner Xander Gopen emphasized the importance of creating a cohesive set of planning regulations for the entire municipal district. “The intent of the exercise we’re going through is to take all those rural plans, the municipal plan, and the zoning bylaws and end up with one unified municipal plan,” Gopen explained.
Economic development also took center stage, with the council discussing a proposed partnership agreement between St. Stephen, St. Andrews, and St. George. Councillor Emily Rodas stressed the importance of including local stakeholders, such as Future St. Stephen, in the process. “We need to ensure there’s a smooth transition and that Future St. Stephen is involved in this process,” she said.
Ultimately, council approved moving forward with the partnership, contingent on final ratification from all three municipalities involved. Jeff Renaud, the Chief Administrative Officer, reassured council that any remaining details would be addressed collaboratively. “We’re just trying to ensure there’s an agreement in principle, and if there are things to be ironed out, let’s get everybody together and iron them out,” he said.
Infrastructure improvements were also on the agenda, with the council authorizing the Budd Avenue extension. The project will be managed by Dillon Consulting Limited, with funding coming from municipal reserves.
Mayor MacEachern concluded the session by acknowledging the complexity of the issues at hand but stressed the importance of adaptability and forward-thinking. “It’s not an easy decision to make, but there’s always time for change,” he said.
