William Crooks
Stanstead town council members discuss infrastructure projects and community initiatives during their March 10 meeting at town hall
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Stanstead town council met on March 10 at the town hall, with Mayor Jody Stone presiding over the session attended by approximately six residents. The meeting covered a range of municipal matters, including infrastructure projects, hiring needs, and environmental concerns, with a particularly engaged discussion during the question period.
Infrastructure and budget updates
The council reviewed ongoing municipal projects, particularly focusing on roadwork, fire station development, and drainage improvements. One of the key financial discussions involved an upcoming $1.75 million expense for the reconstruction of Passenger Street. The provincial government is covering most of the cost, leaving the town responsible for approximately $102,000. Mayor Stone noted, “That’s the amount we will repay over 20 years.”
A second major infrastructure project concerns the construction of a new fire station on Notre-Dame-Ouest Street, estimated at $3.47 million. The provincial government will subsidize 70 per cent of the cost, with the remaining amount shared among the 10 municipalities that form the regional fire service.
The meeting also included a discussion on drainage issues along Lajeunesse Street in the Beebe sector. The town had commissioned a study on possible solutions, revealing that the two viable options would cost between $500,000 and $1.5 million. The council will further analyze the best course of action. “It’s a difficult problem to solve because there is no slope,” one council member noted.
Personnel and environmental matters
The town is preparing to hire additional employees for public works and a seasonal horticulture specialist as part of a long-term beautification effort for Stanstead’s three villages.
Additionally, the council discussed the sale of a town-owned lot in Derby, Vermont, to the Memphremagog Watershed Association. The property, which previously housed a well that is no longer in use, will be transferred to the organization to protect the watershed. Mayor Stone emphasized that the sale is beneficial for both parties, as the association will cover all transaction costs and ongoing maintenance.
Emergency preparedness
A report on emergency preparedness highlighted the town’s progress in updating its disaster response plan. A key issue remains the lack of local accommodations for residents in the event of an emergency, as Stanstead has no hotels. The town is working on formalizing agreements with the college and a local seniors’ residence to address this shortfall.
Community initiatives and recreational projects
The council approved a financing agreement with the Stanstead Recreational Association, which will now receive an annual lump sum instead of submitting individual invoices for each event. This change is expected to simplify operations for both the town and the association. The town also committed to the Circonflex program, which will provide shared recreational equipment to municipalities within the MRC. Equipment will be housed at three locations, including the Stanstead municipal garage, and made available for community events.
Meanwhile, a temporary installation at the Stone Circle Park will feature 18 bilingual story panels for children and parents, promoting literacy through outdoor activity.
Public questions highlight historic buildings and Hydro-Québec work
During the question period, a resident inquired about the status of several historic buildings, including a gray stone building near the border and a red brick house believed to be one of Stanstead’s oldest structures. The council clarified that the gray building is mostly in the U.S. and beyond municipal control, while the red brick house is the subject of legal proceedings. “Unfortunately, the owner never completed the renovations,” the mayor said, adding that the building has deteriorated significantly and may not be salvageable.
Another resident expressed frustration over tree-cutting by Hydro-Québec, arguing that the work was excessive and done without sufficient warning. The council acknowledged the concerns and stated that it had expected the work to be completed last summer rather than suddenly this year.
Mayor addresses media attention on Stanstead
Towards the end of the meeting, Mayor Stone addressed the recent media attention Stanstead has received following January remarks by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, which straddles the Canada-U.S. border. Noem called Canada the “51st state”. Stone noted that the situation had propelled Stanstead into international headlines, including requests for interviews from major outlets such as CNN, Swiss, and Belgian media. “We’ve made the news around the world,” Stone said. “It’s unfortunate that it had to be under these circumstances, but at least it highlights our unique community.”
Stone emphasized the importance of maintaining positive relations with Derby Line, Vermont, despite political tensions. “Our relationship with our neighbours across the border is vital,” he said. “This is a small town, and we all know each other. We have to be careful not to let this divide us.”
The meeting adjourned at roughly 8:15 p.m., with the next one planned for the second Monday in April.