Stanstead Township’s latest fire hall project is up in flames following a referendum vote rejecting a loan of $1,900,000 for the construction of the building.
The controversial project dates back three years and it has gone through several iterations. However, high costs and unnecessary additions continue to irk many residents. The mail-in ballot tallied a total of 536 votes, with 312 people voting against the project.
“We’re happy that that’s been put aside, but what we’re hoping is that the council will get itself together and move ahead with a fire hall that doesn’t have a meeting room attached to it,” said James McGregor.
One sticking point for fire hall opposers is the inclusion of a multifunctional room. Last week, McGregor told The Record he was voting against the construction of a new fire hall because the room jacks up the cost of the overall project.
He said it is obvious the town’s firefighters need a new building. The current location is without any indoor bathrooms and the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) called it an outdated workplace.
But McGregor wants the municipal council to listen to its citizen-led groups to get a better understanding of what residents want in the town. He hopes that this set back will push council members to create a more collaborative effort going forward.
“We hope that they got the message and they won’t sit on their hands for a while but that they’ll move forward, so we’re going to try and encourage them to do that,” McGregor said.
Stanstead Township fire hall project nixed
By Michael Boriero - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
