Council approves over $10k in local funding
Hartland council moved through a long list of local businesses during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 23, approving support for a community pig roast, two hall-upgrade projects, and a local history book, while also flagging traffic, bylaw, and recreation concerns.
Community pig roast approved
Council approved a request from the Covered Bridge Events Committee to use municipal land behind the library on Saturday, Aug. 1, for a community pig roast.
“The event will use an above-ground enclosed roasting pit with a controlled fire,” Mayor Tracey Demerchant told Council. Organizers told the town they will handle fire safety, waste management and site restoration.
Coun. George Boone moved the motion to approve the request, subject to any administrative conditions required before the event.
Bridge traffic concerns head to DTI
Council also discussed traffic concerns around the Hugh John Flemming Bridge, with attention on both bridge approaches and the heavier traffic periods around workday shift changes.
The town has passed concerns along to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, which has confirmed that a traffic safety study is underway.
During the discussion, Coun. Jason Smith suggested that the review should look closely at the early-morning and late-afternoon rushes, especially between 7:15 and 8:30 a.m. and again from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
“These are the two busiest times when those traffic incidents occur,” he said. “It’s also when buses are transporting students to and from (school).”
Town shows surplus, but waterfront costs still coming
Treasurer Tina Pelkey told council the town’s general fund was showing a projected surplus of $61,768 as of May 31.
Pelkey cautioned the number is only a point-in-time picture, with major project spending still ahead. She noted the waterfront project still has about $700,000 left to spend, with the town responsible for 12 percent.
“If nothing changed tomorrow, it would use up that surplus,” Pelkey told Council.
“Water and sewer operations are trending toward a small surplus,” added Pelkey, but staff are reviewing power costs after seeing consumption running 27.3 percent higher than 2025. She said increases were especially noticeable at wells one and two and the lift station.
Council also heard that the town is building out its asset management work. Pelkey said the municipality has about $6 million in paved streets. If those streets are treated as 20-year assets, she said Hartland should be spending or setting aside roughly $300,000 a year for street renewal, whether through paving, reserves or patching.
The same kind of review will expand to sidewalks, buildings, fire equipment and vehicles.
Pelkey also reported four building permits issued in May, representing $181,000 in construction value.
Chief Mike Walton to be honoured in Ottawa
Treasurer Pelkey told council an application to have former Hartland Fire Chief and Town Councillor Mike Walton added to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa has been accepted.
Walton will be added to the memorial wall in September 2027.
Pelkey called the approval “a huge accomplishment.”
Burning complaints raise bylaw questions
Council discussed complaints about local burning, including reports of burn barrels and concerns about materials such as oil, rubber or plastic being burned.
“Are we sending notices? How are we handling that these days?” asked Coun. Smith.
Mayor Tracey DeMerchant said the concern would be brought to the CAO’s attention, noting bylaw enforcement would also be part of the follow-up. CAO Julie Stockford was absent from the meeting due to personal reasons.
Council also discussed whether there is still interest in exploring a shared bylaw enforcement officer through the Western Valley Regional Service Commission.
Coun. Boone said one of the questions is not just cost, but how a shared officer would carry out the work across several municipalities.
“We are taking further steps to see if it’s feasable,” said Mayor Demerchant.
Public works reports patching, pool work and painted hydrants
Acting Director of Public Works Jed Giberson told council that street sweeping was delayed due to a breakdown, but crews hoped to complete the work soon.
Giberson said main-road patching has been completed, with side streets still to come. The main-road work, completed with help from Dexter Construction, cost about $44,000.
Clark Street paving was also completed after the contractor had an opening in its schedule.
“They called me up at 6:30 in the morning one day, and said ‘can we start Clark Street today?’ and I said ‘why not’,” Giberson smiled as he told Council.
The town’s flower displays are now out, with thanks to the beautification committee and volunteers. Giberson singled out Lisa Wheeler as his main contact and said the group has been enthusiastic about the work.
“I don’t mean to leave anyone out,” he said, “but Lisa has done very well. They’re all very passionate about it.”
A student art project also brought new colour to town hydrants. Four hydrants have been painted as a bubble gum machine, a moose, a fiddlehead and a Dalmatian. Giberson said the town came back afterward to clear-coat the hydrants and help protect the work.
The Director also updated Council on ongoing repairs with town equipment and vehicles.
Mirror suggested for tricky corner
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall,” joked Coun. Boone as Council discussed a request to consider installing a traffic mirror near a difficult corner by the town wall area. Visibility and the sharp turn have long been concerns.
Mayor Demerchant said a resident had raised the issue, and she herself had seen a pedestrian nearly struck while crossing in the area.
The discussion included the possibility of working with the region on a mirror or other safety measure, while also noting it would need to be mounted and angled properly to avoid creating other hazards.
Fire report touches on water rescue
With the fire chief absent, Dir. Giberson gave a brief update on the town’s water rescue service.
Council heard Hartland remains one of the few departments in New Brunswick involved in water rescue work. Giberson estimated six to eight members are connected to that service.
The discussion also touched on a recent fire response that required a long hose lay and multiple trucks.
‘New Barn’ early ice decision delayed
Council tabled a decision on early ice installation at the Day & Ross Community Centre until its July 14 regular meeting.
The administration is reviewing three possible installation dates: Sept. 1, Sept. 18, and Oct. 1.
The report is expected to include costs, operational impacts, staffing considerations and budget implications for each option.
Last month, residents requested that Hartland open the ice earlier in the year, in line with other local municipalities.
Council approves $2,500 for local history book
Coun. Lee Patterson read the motion to approve a one-time $2,500 contribution to Chapel Street Editions for the publication of The Hartland Family, a local history book by Doris Kennedy.
The original request was for $5,000 toward printing costs.
Council spent significant time weighing whether the contribution should be treated as a grant, whether it fit within the town’s existing grant structure, and whether taxpayer money should support a book that will be sold for profit.
Pelkey explained the funding would not come through the municipal grant program. Instead, the money would be a one-time contribution, funded by transferring $2,500 from the economic development training budget.
Mayor Demerchant explained that the goal for Chapel Street was to use the funding to reduce the book’s final selling price.
“Individuals or groups have made money as a result of (Council’s) helping,” said Coun. Smith, referencing other entities that have profited from Council’s help. “The end result of this book isn’t personal; it’s highlighting the history and heritage of salmon pools.”
“To me, this is about heritage and culture,” added Smith. “It isn’t necessarily about profit.”
“It doesn’t meet municipal grant application (criteria),” said Coun. Boone. ”This is not even a grant. This is strictly the Town of Hartland supporting an outside endeavour with cash.”
“I have a great amount of respect and admiration for the author and everything she’s done,” said Coun. Boone, admitting he has been struggling with a decision on the grant.
“I don’t know if now is the time to be giving the money out in this regard,” Boone continued, “if our taxpayers would really want is to put our money and resources behind this endeavour. When I look at this, it’s 50 percent of a crosswalk sign. I don’t know if this is going to be in the best regard of all the constituents that are putting in their tax dollars for us to make this decision.”
“I agree with Coun. Boone,” said Coun. Charlie Webber. “If it does not meet the criteria, we should be watching what we are doing with it. It’s our people’s money we are giving away.”
Coun. Lee Patterson said supporting culture and local history is part of council’s role. “If we don’t support arts and culture, the flip side of that is that’s our history we’re losing. I think it’s a good allocation.”
The motion passed, with Boone and Webber voting against funding, followed by a second unanimous motion approving the transfer from the economic development training fund.
Coldstream Women’s Institute receives hall funding
Council approved a $4,000 municipal grant to the Coldstream Women’s Institute to help purchase and install two mini-splits at the Coldstream hall.
The full project is expected to cost $11,500. The group has also applied for a grant that could provide up to $7,500.
Council discussed the town’s $10,000 budget for four community halls and whether other halls may still submit requests.
Treasurer Tina Pelkey said no money from that line had been spent so far this year. She said she reached out to the other halls to ask whether they planned to apply, but had not received “clear indication as to yes or no”.
Council approved the funding subject to confirmation of final project funding and applicable grant requirements.
Legion lighting project receives support
Council also approved support for the Hartland Royal Canadian Legion’s plan to replace interior lighting with energy-efficient LED fixtures.
The Legion applied for $5,000 toward an $11,750 project and has also applied for up to $7,500 in CHIP funding. Mayor Demerchant also referred to an NB Power rebate program that may help with lighting projects.
After discussion, council changed the amount to a maximum of $4,250 to bridge the remaining gap, depending on other funding sources.
Fall meetings may return to community halls
Before moving into a closed session to consider human resource issues, DeMerchant reminded council of the upcoming meetings scheduled for July 14 and July 28 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers.
She also asked council to consider taking meetings back to other community halls starting in the fall. Last year, Council took the show on the road, visiting areas such as the Coldstream Women’s Institute, to bring municipal council closer to the community.
