Town discusses health care, winter costs, and development plans
Hartland Town Council’s Jan. 27 meeting moved through routine approvals before opening into a long slate of updates on finances, winter operations, recreation, and development.
By the end of the night, the council created a community-led physician recruitment committee, underscoring that access to health care remains a top priority for many residents.
Money picture tightening as reserves grow
Treasurer Tina Pelkey said year-end figures are being finalized ahead of the audit, but small surpluses are expected in both the general and utilities accounts.
Pelkey said the town appeared before the Municipal County Board on Jan. 19 regarding interim financing for the waterfront project. Council had previously approved $849,600 in interim financing, and the board advised reducing the request to match confirmed funding. Pelkey reported that $769,868 is expected, with official confirmation coming soon.
She said Hartland’s asset management questionnaire — required to release 2026 capital renewal plan funding — has been received, unlocking the first portion of that funding.
Late-year transfers pushed total reserves to nearly $800,000. Gas tax funds totalling nearly $200,000 remain restricted to eligible projects. Unrestricted operating cash now covers about 16 days after more than $200,000 was moved into reserves. The “16 days” references how long the town could operate if all funding sources disappeared. Pelkey said this should improve in March, when water and sewer receivables are released.
Council also discussed HST receivables. Pelkey confirmed filings are quarterly, with monthly reporting under consideration as taxable project activity grows.
“With the projects we have coming down the pipeline in 2026/27, it would be wise to change it,” added Pelkey.
Snow, salt, and a broken main
Director of Public Works Jed Giberson said crews have been dealing with a relentless winter, with salt use climbing from 80 tonnes to closer to 100 tonnes.
“We haven’t stopped,” he said.
Giberson reported a broken eight-inch water main discovered on Dec. 15 that could not be repaired and required a full re-dig and replacement. Testing later confirmed service was restored. (more on this below)
Giberson also reported a booster-station pump failure that burned out the motor. “It’s not something that happens normally, just one of those unfortunate events,” he said.
Facility lighting and mechanical upgrades are ongoing, and older trucks delayed by weather are being prepped for disposal. Giberson thanked new hire Chad Brown for quickly becoming an asset on winter operations and water-line work.
“He jumped in with both feet,” said Giberson. “He’s been a great asset. Very helpful.”
Busy ice and booked rooms
Parks and Recreation reported strong winter programming at the Day & Ross Community Centre, including a three-on-three hockey tournament with 16 teams in January from across the Upper River Valley.
Ice time and community rooms remain popular, and Legion sponsorship supports low-cost family programming.
Building permits up, planning bills rising
CEO Julie Stockford reported routine updates on the town’s website and Facebook page, including promotions for free community suppers hosted by Hartland Helpers from January through May. The next supper is scheduled for Feb. 14 at the Wesleyan Church in Somerville, with transportation available for those who need it.
Stockford reported one building and development permit issued in December, valued at $166,650. Year-end totals show $8,978,345 in construction value for 2025, up from $6,428,493 in 2024 — a 28.4 per cent increase. Planning-related fees generated $45,653 in 2025.
Hartland’s share of regional land-use planning services was $86,546 in 2025, rising to $104,781 in 2026 — an increase of $18,235. The municipal plan and zoning bylaw review has restarted, with 71 residents responding to the latest survey, up from 32 previously.
Waterfront bids roll in
Michelle Derrah, Hartland’s Director of Communications and Development, told council the town has submitted a municipal infrastructure application through the Regional Development Corporation (RDC) and attached the same materials for the federal Canadian Housing and Infrastructure Program (CHIP).
Derrah said RDC has completed its evaluation of Hartland’s provincial application and is forwarding it to the provincial minister this week for a funding decision. At the same time, the town has drafted the federal application, and CAO Julie Stockford will provide the file to the town’s civil engineer to complete the remaining technical details.
The proposed project includes constructing a new road to serve a future subdivision behind the town pool, along with new water lines to the arena to address existing water issues.
“It’s a slow process, but it’s moving in the right direction,” Derrah said.
The request for proposals for the waterfront dock and gangway closed with 12 submissions. Consultants will review bids and bring recommendations to council on Feb. 10. Drafts for the boat launch are also being prepared, alongside preliminary design work for a new deck at the visitor information centre.
“It’s kind of exciting,” laughed Derrah. “I don’t think it’s just going to be a plain rectangle.”
Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club has announced plans for a new yearly event, the Covered Bridge Smoke Showdown, set for May 8 and 9. Information can be found via their Facebook page.
From the Fire Chief
Fire Chief Philip Brown reported 16 calls for the most recent period, with a busy early January, followed by quieter weeks later in the month.
Council adopted Policy P-012 (Fire Department Remuneration), which outlines how volunteer firefighters are compensated, including twice-yearly pay periods, officer and chief honorariums, and standardized training and call-response allowances.
Doctors dominate discussion; council moves to create program to attract physicians
Council spent extended time discussing physician recruitment and access to health care, noting that the issue continues to affect rural communities across New Brunswick and is expected to remain a concern through 2026.
Councillor George Boone said the message about Hartland is best delivered by people who live here.
“Nobody can sell Hartland better than the residents of Hartland. People are passionate that live here. No one sitting up at that regional service commission is going to do a better job than us in presenting our town and the charm and the aspects of why we live, and we enjoy living in, this community.”
Council members also raised concerns about barriers faced by visiting physicians, including access to child care.
Deputy Mayor Stewart Fairgrieve shared a secondhand account of how child care availability affects recruitment.
“One of the stories that I heard secondhand was young female doctor wasn’t struck on the area because she approached three daycare facilities, and they all had at least six month waiting lists.”
Councillor Sam Walton said doctors passing through the hospital system are often early in their careers and weighing whether communities can support family life.
“They want child care. They want access to places like the Day and Ross Community Center. They want French language training for their kids. That’s the stuff that they want.”
Councillor Jason Smith said the town needs to be clearer about what makes Hartland different, and use that to inform recruitment efforts.
“We have to get information out to the average citizen,” Smith said, “things that are unique about our municipality. We have to celebrate all of those features and point out what is different, what is unique about our community. It’s not about matching the same things that are in other communities.”
Following the lengthy discussion, the council moved to establish the Hartland Physician Recruitment Committee, to be community-led with the council in a supporting role. CAO Julie Stockford was directed to draft the committee’s terms of reference for council approval at a future meeting.
Grants in, canteen out, trucks on the block
Derrah introduced a Community Investment Fund application through the Regional Development Corporation, requesting $14,325 toward a $19,100 project that includes two trauma kits for the pool and arena, solar blankets for the town pool, a solar rapid-flashing crosswalk system for Main Street, and downtown beautification.
Stockford said the operator of the canteen at the Day & Ross Community Centre provided notice on Jan. 13 and has vacated the space. The town will complete cleaning and issue a new request for proposals for the 2026–27 season.
A 2007 International truck and a 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 were declared surplus and approved for disposal by public auction in Fredericton, with proceeds to be returned to the transportation capital reserve.
Pelkey said $20,857 from a prior auction had already been placed into reserve. Council approved transferring $20,000 to help finance a replacement vehicle within budget limits.
Ice plant still acting up
“The situation is evolving rapidly and is snowballing,” said Giberson, detailing the ongoing problems with the ice plant at the Day & Ross Community Centre.
Technicians have been called in for various incidents since installation, including recurring alarms, shutdowns, and compressor overloads. Stockford said service visits have addressed symptoms without identifying a root cause.
“It’s more than just technical,” said DeMerchant, saying that the technicians do their job correctly and address the issue at hand, but it’s the symptom of something much deeper.
Council discussed the possibility of an independent engineering review of the original design, with rough cost estimates in the $8,000–$30,000 range, which will likely be covered by the town’s two-year insurance plan.
Next meetings
Regular council meetings are set for Feb. 10 and Feb. 24 in council chambers at Town Hall.
