The January 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting for the Municipal District of St. Stephen, which took place at the Garcelon Civic Centre, tackled pressing local issues, ranging from road safety to tourism and environmental protection. 

Florence Mitchell – Local Journalism Initiative

Staff Sergeant Jeff Peters of the New Brunswick RCMP kicked off the session with an update on community safety. “I’m quite happy to be solely responsible for RC10 now,” Peters said, reaffirming the RCMP’s focus on engagement and visibility. A key concern was the rise in unsafe ATV use. “Our goal with enforcement is safety,” Peters added, urging residents to share information about reckless drivers.

Corporal Peter Lambert, a decade-long fixture in St. Stephen, described the RCMP’s hands-on approach to off-road vehicle safety. “When we identify someone, we have an honest conversation about the consequences. But more importantly, we ask: why? We talk about fatalities, insurance, and the impact of their actions,” Lambert explained.

The meeting also delved into policy matters, starting with a draft crosswalk policy. The initiative would let community groups apply for custom crosswalk designs, aligning public infrastructure with local identity. Councillor Marg Harding spotlighted one potential project under this policy, calling it an opportunity to strengthen community ties.

In another bid to deepen civic engagement, the council reviewed a proposed public participation policy. Chief Administrative Officer Jeff Renaud described it as a cornerstone for fostering transparency and inclusion. “This policy should work hand-in-glove with the changes you’ve asked me to explore for procedural bylaws,” Renaud said, outlining how it could reshape how residents interact with council decisions.

Tourism was also a central theme. The council discussed a proposed accommodation levy, a small fee added to local stays that would fund regional tourism initiatives. “It’s becoming expected by most travellers,” Renaud noted. “It’s a way to offset the costs we bear for tourism through the RSC [Regional Service Commission].”

Environmental concerns took centre stage as Councillor Brian Cornish raised alarms about possible pollution in the St. Croix Waterway. He cited personal observations and reports of discoloured water and foul odours linked to nearby industrial operations. “I’m not an expert on pollution, nor am I pointing fingers. But let’s work together with the proper resources to resolve this potentially dangerous situation,” Cornish urged.

Councillor Harding, a long-time advocate for environmental vigilance, backed the call to action. “Thanks for bringing this to the forefront,” he said. The council committed to drafting a resolution asking the Department of Environment to investigate the claims.