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.
