St. Andrews Council Votes Against Going Ahead With Wharf Refurbishment

The Town of Saint Andrews council chamber was at full capacity on September 15, 2025, as councillors convened at the WC O’Neill Arena Complex for a regular meeting. The agenda opened with a detailed presentation on regional budgets and wrapped up with a lengthy and at times difficult discussion on the future of Market Wharf, one of the community’s most visible landmarks.

Hollis Bartlet, chief executive officer of the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission, presented the draft 2026 operating and capital budget. The proposal calls for an overall increase of about $200,000 while still maintaining balance across the board. Solid waste tipping fees are projected to rise slightly, from $95 to $98 per tonne. Despite that, St. Andrews’ share of costs is expected to decline by approximately $53,000 compared with last year, due largely to reduced tonnage being sent to landfill.

Bartlet also highlighted several program changes. Tourism promotion, which has long represented a significant share of the Commission’s budget, will see a major reduction, with planned spending cut from $525,000 to $213,000. Rather than investing in large-scale branding campaigns, the Commission will rely more heavily on its own in-house communications to promote the region. Other elements of the budget included a new immigration partnership position fully funded by the federal government, as well as expanded government support for community development projects. Together, these adjustments are expected to reduce the municipal contribution to just a few hundred dollars.

Councillor Annette Harland raised questions about accountability and transparency, pressing Bartlet for clearer reporting on results. She noted that councils and the public alike need to see more tangible evidence of what their contributions achieve. In response, Bartlet pledged to implement a range of new measures, including key performance indicators, stronger annual reports, and the creation of a monthly newsletter to keep councils better informed.

Following the presentation, council moved through a series of important items of business. The first reading passed on a bylaw that would reduce the size of council to six members. Public consultation on the matter is scheduled for October 6, 2025, giving residents a chance to weigh in before a final decision is made. Council also approved applications under the Provincial-Municipal Highway Partnership for staged improvements to Bayview Drive and Mowat Drive. The long-term project is expected to total roughly $3 million between 2028 and 2030.

The most extensive debate of the evening centred on the Market Wharf and Market Square refurbishment. Tender bids received for the project came in far higher than anticipated, ranging from $9.46 million to $17.72 million. Councillors expressed concern over the risks associated with unit-price contracts, potential cost overruns, and the long-term lifecycle expenses tied to maintaining such a large investment. After considerable discussion, council voted unanimously to cancel the tender. While the decision delays immediate work, staff stressed that the wharf remains a top priority and pledged to examine phased repairs, explore revised design options, and seek out new sources of funding.

In addition to these major items, council also approved Oktoberfest 2025, set to run from September 19 to 21 in Market Square. Members endorsed a documentary project focused on Minister’s Island and received community updates on topics including Coast Guard training activities and upcoming Truth and Reconciliation events.

With no questions raised from the public, the meeting concluded. The session was marked by careful budgetary scrutiny, difficult decisions on infrastructure, and ongoing uncertainty about how best to secure the future of one of Saint Andrews’ most iconic gathering places.