By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Stanstead’s municipal council tackled a wide range of issues during its regular June 9 meeting, from delayed web updates and development fees to a cross-border trash dispute and local zoning frustrations. Presided over by Mayor Jody Stone, the meeting drew about seven residents, including a concerned neighbour from Derby Line, Vermont.
A large portion of the meeting focused on concerns brought forward during the question period. Frank Davis, a Derby Line resident, raised the issue of an unsightly accumulation of garbage at the entrance to the customs station on the Canadian side of Caswell Avenue. Although the trash is in Stanstead, Davis said he believed it originated from American tenants trying to avoid private garbage pickup fees across the border.
“Frankly, it doesn’t look good,” Davis said, offering to help clean it up himself. “If I hear positive things on your side, [I’ll] bring it to the trustees of Derby Line and the town of Derby.”
Mayor Stone responded with historical context and acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. Because the building straddles the border, its Canadian side receives municipal trash pickup, which residents from the U.S. side have allegedly abused. “We are somewhat obliged, if not completely obliged, to offer the service to that particular building,” he said. Stanstead has already taken steps to manually clean the area but is considering fines or service changes. “We just want to make sure it’s clean,” said Stone. “That’s all we want.”
Another lengthy exchange involved a request to waive or refund a parkland fee paid during a property subdivision. A local resident was surprised to learn he owed the fee, which is typically 5 per cent of the land value. Mayor Stone explained that while council agreed the charge discouraged housing development, “we’re not sure if we’re legally allowed” to issue a refund for past projects. The town is awaiting legal advice on both the reimbursement and regulatory changes to abolish the fee going forward.
