Housing, bridges, land and land tax among some councillor early priorities
Members of Tantramar council met last Thursday for a special one-hour meeting called by Mayor Debbie Wiggins-Colwell to begin shaping the municipality’s priorities for the next four years.
Before turning to that discussion, council considered a request from the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB), which is asking municipalities across the province whether they should have the authority to tax vacant privately-owned land to encourage development.
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The discussion quickly shifted to what types of land such a levy might apply to. Wiggins-Colwell pointed to large undeveloped properties, including the CSC lands, as examples of sites that could eventually support housing.
Tantramar’s director of financial services Michael Beale also explained that any future bylaw could exempt farmland, parkland and other types of property if council chose.
Councillors offered differing opinions on the proposal.
Barry Hicks opposed the idea, arguing that landowners should not face higher taxes simply for holding vacant property. Wayne Wells agreed, saying owners should be free to keep undeveloped land if they choose. Wiggins-Colwell said she viewed the proposal as a tool that could encourage development in populated areas, while Alyssa Greene said she’d like to see research from other municipalities and hear from residents before council takes a position.
No decision was made.
Infrastructure and housing among early priorities
With the vacant land discussion complete, Wiggins-Colwell invited councillors to outline what they hope to accomplish over the next four years.
Barry Hicks identified replacing the Peck’s Cove bridge as one of council’s most important advocacy priorities, saying residents have few alternatives when the bridge in the Rockport area is closed.
Haidee Robertson focused on housing, suggesting the municipality identify land it already owns that could be made available for future development, including affordable housing. Beal said staff can prepare an inventory of municipally-owned land, while Plan360 is already developing a municipal land bank.
Accessibility, policing and community planning
Wiggins-Colwell also highlighted several areas she hopes will shape council’s long-term vision, including creating an age-friendly community, supporting tourism and heritage, investing in infrastructure, adapting to climate change and improving transparency.
Greene said she’d like new councillors to have better access to municipal information and proposed creating an accessibility committee, describing accessibility as an issue that eventually affects everyone.
Public safety also emerged as a topic during the discussion.
Wells called for a stronger police presence in Tantramar’s urban communities, while Hicks said residents in rural areas have told him they’d simply like to see RCMP patrols more often.
Hicks also encouraged staff to continue pursuing provincial and federal grants to support municipal projects.
While no formal decisions were made during the meeting, the discussion offered an early look at the issues council members hope to advance during their current four-year term.
Tantramar council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, before breaking for the summer.
About the reporter
Clinton Davis is a PT journalist/producer with CHMA News covering Tantramar (including Sackville, Dorchester, Port Elgin, Midgic and surrounding communities). He reports on municipal government, public safety, community events, local business, regional issues and ideas across Tantramar.
