Town of Woodstock offers much to residents, faces many challenges under amalgamation
“Having travelled to 55 countries over the years, I’ve seen many remarkable places — but I have always looked forward to coming home to what I consider New Brunswick’s finest town,” said Gordon Porter, when the River Valley Sun reached him to discuss the upcoming municipal election. “What I value most here are the people, the strong sense of community, and the feeling that neighbours truly look out for one another. It’s a place that feels welcoming, grounded, and worth caring about.”
Tucked in the valley where the Meduxnekeag joins onto the Saint John River, sits the municipality of Woodstock, New Brunswick. The waterways made a useful transportation route for the town, back when it was incorporated in 1856, the first in New Brunswick to do so. Transportation has long been a boon to the community, first by water, then by the New Brunswick Railway running through it. The railway is long gone now, but the municipalities’ easy access to the Trans-Canada Highway means transportation continues to shape the town, with transportation and logistics industries employing many in the region. Though there is no one major employer in this municipality, many are also involved in the agricultural, hospitality and public service sectors.
Woodstock once boasted an Island park, which was replaced by Connell Park. Today’s Connell Park hosts a playground, a civic centre, a campground, and the only remaining horse-racing track in New Brunswick.
Woodstock’s general operating budget for 2026 is $21 million, much of which is reinvested in the town’s infrastructure, including paving, tourism, and public facility upgrades.
In Canada’s 2021 census, before the town was expanded, the town had a population of 5,553. Now, after amalgamation, the municipality estimates that just under 13,000 people live within its boundaries.
“The study found that from 2016-2021, the entire region experienced a 1.07 per cent population increase, which is expected to continue growing over the next 10 years,” explained Woodstock Communications Officer Alana Bowden-Ball. “At the time of the survey, utilizing statistics on immigration trends, as well as families growing/aging, the population is expected to rise to 13,787 in 2036.”
The town has faced many challenges in recent years, including steadily increasing demands on its aging water infrastructure. They spent 2.3 million last year on improvements to their drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater management, including drilling a new well.
Many of the challenges facing the town have also centred on the expansion of its municipal boundaries in 2023, which increased its area of governance from the original town boundaries, covering around 15 square km, to 532 square km, divided into 5 wards. Since then, the town has been looking for the best ways to include the outer wards in a unified municipality through measures such as signage and a massive undertaking to expand its police operations to eventually manage all wards. To that end, over the last couple of years, they have been working hard to grow the Woodstock police’s workforce and building space to accommodate the increased workload once they officially begin managing all five wards by the end of 2027.
When the River Valley Sun asked about challenges the municipality has faced in recent years, outgoing councillor Julie Calhoun-Goodridge said there were many.
“From amalgamation, and realistically having a brand new council, and admin team within the year meant there was a lot to figure out,” she said. “I will also say that I am not sure the town was always treated (their services) like a business and I think that was a disservice to the citizens. Just like a business, we have “customers” to serve, and that starts with customer service, ends with fiscal responsibility, and includes a lot in between.”
Calhoun-Goodridge believes the incumbent council did just that.
Another recent challenge for the town has been balancing the needs of a business, Covered Bridge Potato Chips, with those of nearby residents. The company’s processing facility originally existed far from residential areas, next to the Trans-Canada Highway in Waterville. A fire destroyed the factory in 2024, affecting 185 employees. Seeking a solution, the company applied to the Woodstock Town Council that same year to have a bylaw in its industrial park amended to allow food processing, given that they already owned a building in the area that had mostly been used for storage.
Trouble began when residents bordering the industrial zone discovered the company removing a long-standing buffer of mature trees that had stood between them and the industrial zone. They began an action group called Our Town, Our Voice and presented to the council last October. The group is continuing to advocate for their community today, saying that while they support the workers, the location, so close to people’s homes, is inappropriate for the level of noise and disruption the operation requires. On May 4, they filed a lawsuit against Covered Bridge.
The River Valley Sun reached out to community members via email to gather their perspectives on life in the community. They were asked about the positives of living and working here, the areas that need improvement, and the most pressing issues on their minds as they head to the polls in the upcoming municipal election.
Erin Griffiths
“Woodstock is a great place to raise a young family. We try to keep up with most community activities and are always looking for new things to join and new experiences around the community. Our children are still quite young, so I do have some concerns about things to do when they get a bit older in their teenage years. Growing up here, I know firsthand that boredom often leads to mischief and undesirable choices.
I think in the election I’m looking for people who are looking for growth in the community, promotion in local business and the overall livelihood of the town and its residents, both young and old.”
Gordon L Porter
“The most pressing issue for me is leadership that ensures progress while protecting residents’ interests and quality of life. Growth matters, but it must be thoughtful and respectful of the people who live here.
We need better infrastructure—especially improved streets—and stronger support for primary health care. My wife and I are fortunate to have a family doctor, but far too many residents do not, and our town leaders need to work hard to help change that.
I also want to see renewed investment in our downtown core, with more shops and restaurants that bring life back to the area. And while we’ve made some progress in focusing on the two rivers that run through our town, we need to do more to make them more attractive to residents and visitors alike.
The issue most on my mind is the devastating impact of the Covered Bridge Potato Chip plant, which operates right next to long-established neighbourhoods. For many residents, the constant noise, odour, light, and traffic have turned what were once quiet homes into places of daily frustration and stress. Every hour the plant runs is a reminder that something went very wrong in how this was allowed to happen.
What troubles me just as much is that there was no meaningful contact or collaboration with residents by the mayor, council, or company officials before this operation expanded. None!
Even after the problems became clear, there has been little effort to sit down with residents to find real solutions, while the company has continued to intensify its presence. What was described as temporary after the March 2024 fire now appears permanent, and so does the distress for nearby families.
In this election, I am looking for a much stronger group of leaders—people with judgement and commitment to protect residents and ensure that what has happened to these neighbourhoods is never repeated anywhere else in our town.”
Karen Lawrence, Vice-President, Greater Woodstock Chamber of Commerce
“One of Woodstock’s biggest strengths is the sense of momentum you can feel in the community. There’s been a lot of growth in recent years, especially with new businesses, creative ideas, and expanded recreational opportunities. It’s exciting to see more events, wellness offerings, music, and arts becoming part of everyday life here.
The town’s location along the Saint John River is another huge asset. It creates so many opportunities for outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and dragon boating, especially in the summer months. Our downtown core has also become increasingly vibrant, with many new businesses opening and adding to the energy of the community.
Events are a big part of what makes Woodstock special. Celebrations like Canada Day, the Dooryard Festival, and Old Home Week really bring people together and showcase the spirit of the town.
Like any growing community, there are always areas to improve. Communication around events and local happenings is one area that comes to mind, although I know there have been ongoing efforts to strengthen this through new systems and promotion. There are many dedicated individuals and organizations working hard to keep residents informed and engaged, and it’s encouraging to see that progress.
Continuing the positive momentum the town has built in recent years is important to me. I think many residents are also focused on access to healthcare, which is a significant concern in the community, along with ongoing improvements to infrastructure.
When it comes to choosing who to support, I value candidates who take the time to truly listen and who put forward ideas that benefit the entire community. Thoughtful, inclusive decision-making and a clear vision for sustainable growth are key.”
