St. Stephen Committee of the Whole Tackles Active Transportation, Tent Concerns, and Budget Planning

Bicycles, tents, parking, and budgets were all on the agenda as St. Stephen’s Committee of the Whole met in September, with councillors addressing a mix of long-term infrastructure planning and immediate community concerns.

The meeting opened with a presentation from Kelly Harrell and Laurie McKenzie of Horizon Health Network, who encouraged the municipality to adopt an active transportation plan. They highlighted the health, environmental, and economic benefits of promoting walking and cycling, and noted that federal funding could cover up to 60 percent of costs. With King Street scheduled for reconstruction, they recommended adding a bike lane and taking a phased approach to building a larger cycling network. Councillors expressed support for the concept, noting its potential appeal to families and newcomers, while also stressing the importance of not stigmatizing rural residents who continue to rely on cars.

Council next turned to the issue of tents on private property, following complaints from residents. Mayor Allan MacEachern asked staff to explain enforcement challenges. Staff cautioned that a bylaw would be difficult to apply fairly, risked displacing vulnerable people, and carried possible legal complications. Councillors agreed on a dual approach—researching regulatory options while also looking for long-term solutions through housing initiatives and possible designated shelter areas. Staff will continue gathering information.

Parking enforcement also received attention. Since the spring, the town’s bylaw officer has been unable to obtain vehicle owner information from the RCMP, complicating ticketing for downtown time-limit violations. Staff said they are working on a data-sharing agreement with Service New Brunswick, though a broader regional fix may ultimately be required.

The meeting also featured a series of community updates. Councillor David Hislop reported growing fundraising momentum for the “World’s Oldest Basketball Court” project, which needs $6 million in local commitments before it can secure government support. Deputy Mayor Ghislaine Wheaton provided a health-care update, noting progress in assigning patients to local physicians but emphasizing that more than 3,500 residents remain without doctors.

Several infrastructure updates were shared as well. Council discussed plans for a new veterans’ crosswalk, water conservation advisories, lighting issues at the arena, and delayed surfacing work at Milltown’s tennis and pickleball courts. Construction has begun on a municipal greenhouse at 199 Union Street, and Rotary Field is now open for use with new soccer nets in place.

Other business included updates on treasury software migration, preliminary work on the 2026 budget, and ongoing discussions with hotel and housing developers. Members were asked to finalize their budget priorities before the meeting adjourned.