Municipal District of St. Stephen Committee of the Whole Meeting for October 16, 2024 on CHCO-TV

The Municipal District of St. Stephen Committee of the Whole Meeting, held on October 16, 2024 at the Garcelon Civic Centre, brought together council members to address key community issues and projects. The session began with a presentation from Desiree Shelton, Domestic Violence Outreach Coordinator with Charlotte County Outreach, who introduced the upcoming Community Empowerment and Wellness Fair. Shelton emphasized the event's significance, stating, "This event will provide a space for service providers, health care professionals, wellness experts, nonprofit organizations, and community members to connect and share resources." The fair aims to bridge gaps in local services and raise awareness about critical issues such as mental health and gender-based violence.

Following Shelton's presentation, Mayor Allan MacEachern and the council members shifted their focus to the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission's budget. CEO Hollis Bartlett outlined the commission’s budgetary framework, highlighting the directive to limit overall increases to no more than 5%. He discussed the budget's nuances, particularly the enhancement of recycling efforts. "We are acting as a transfer station for circular materials, making recycling cost-neutral," Bartlett explained, anticipating that this shift would encourage more recycling and ultimately reduce costs for the town.

A lively discussion ensued regarding regional services, with council members expressing concerns about the visibility and impact of services such as tourism promotion and economic development. Councillor David Hyslop articulated his frustration, saying, "I just don't see the short-term gain that we're getting." In response, Bartlett acknowledged these concerns while emphasizing the long-term regional benefits of such services.

The meeting also addressed the critical issue of maintaining the town's Visitor Information Centre (VIC) designation. Michelle Vest, the municipality's events coordinator, highlighted the challenges faced by the current VIC setup and warned that inadequate facilities could lead to the loss of provincial designation. "We will lose our provincial designation if we stay with our current situation," she cautioned. The council discussed the possibility of forming a working group to explore solutions and ensure that St. Stephen remains a key entry point for visitors to Canada.

In addition to these discussions, the council reviewed strategic initiatives and updates, including SMART goals derived from a strategic planning workshop. Council members assessed the progress of these goals in relation to the upcoming 2025 budget discussions. Councilor Greenlaw inquired about citizen involvement in the budget process, to which a fellow council member responded, "We can still do some outreach and communication before those numbers come in."

The meeting concluded with a presentation on a draft amendment to bylaw 03-23, which addresses the remuneration of council members. This amendment aims to incorporate cost-of-living adjustments and clarify travel allowances. The council expressed satisfaction with the proposed changes, with Mayor MacEachern noting, "It looks good."