James' Tantramar Review

07/31/2026

This is great news for the residents of Lower Rockport.

Earlier this week, I visited the Peck’s Cove Bridge in Rockport where, once again, I saw the terrible state it's in. For residents, this bridge is their only way in and out. Its weight limit has once again been reduced, to 16 tonnes, meaning fully loaded fire trucks and other heavy vehicles cannot cross.

I've been pushing for DTI to address this public safety issue, and I'm so glad that along with the efforts of community members and media coverage, it's resulted in DTI committing to building a detour bridge next to Peck’s Cove Bridge in Rockport by the end of this year.
///
En début de semaine, je me suis rendu au pont de Peck’s Cove, à Rockport, où j’ai pu constater une nouvelle fois son état déplorable. Pour les habitant·e·s, ce pont constitue la seule voie d’accès et de sortie. Sa limite de poids a une nouvelle fois été abaissée, à 16 tonnes, ce qui signifie que les camions de pompiers à pleine charge et autres véhicules lourds ne peuvent pas le franchir.

Je n’ai cessé d’exhorter le MTI à se pencher sur ce problème de sécurité publique, et je suis ravi que, grâce aux efforts des membres de la communauté et à la couverture médiatique, le MTI se soit engagé à construire un pont de contournement à côté du pont de Peck’s Cove à Rockport d’ici la fin de l’année.

07/28/2026

A TRAFFIC STUDY IS COMING TO A STREET NEAR YOU!

I recently reached out to the municipal engineer with a few questions regarding the upcoming traffic study in Tantramar to get some clarity on what is ahead. Here is the breakdown of what is planned, where the focus will be, and how the data will be gathered.

The municipality is planning to issue a Request For Proposals in August to retain a consultant for a study covering Main Street from Mallard Drive to Allison Avenue. The plan is to award the contract in the fall and ensure traffic counts are done while local schools and universities are in session.

The study's primary route will look closely at traffic flow at the Main and Wright intersection, the Main and King intersection, and the crosswalk at Windsor Hall. It may also review traffic movements between Bridge and York up to Allison, taking into account heavy pedestrian movement, driveways, and on-street parking. Additionally, the study will review the Main and Queens intersection, including a suggestion to move the yield from Queens Road outbound to the Main Street right turn onto Queens Road, and assess crosswalk types, such as looking into an RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon) crosswalk at the east end of the swan pond.

The review will also cover the Main, Cape, and Woodlawn intersection with pedestrian crossing measures. On top of that, following a passed council motion, a separate comprehensive assessment of pedestrian circulation will be conducted for Dorchester (that is how I understand the response).

When it comes to how the study actually works, traffic volumes are normally tracked using camera recordings, though consultants can also use manual observation, road detectors, or pneumatic tubes across the road. Speeds will be collected via radar measurements using a speed feedback sign with no display or through specialized camera systems.

Finally, when asked what residents might find most interesting about a traffic study, the engineer noted that these assessments rely heavily on decades of historical experience data. While public expectations of traffic flow can be quite subjective, the studies strive to remain strictly objective, reminding us that traffic queues and delays considered acceptable in places like Moncton often feel very different to drivers waiting at a signal right here in Sackville.

Do you agree that traffic delays acceptable in larger cities like Moncton feel much longer here in Sackville?

07/28/2026

Hey all,

Here is an update from the municipality providing a letter to Minister Chuck Chiasson regarding the Pecks Cove bridge.

07/24/2026

We the residents appreciate the hard work these volunteers put into training and their commitment to protecting their community.

Seeing all three fire services come together as one Tantramar Fire Service tonight in this training operation helps to show that as much as we are still individual Wards we are one municipality.

07/22/2026

Is the Pecks Cove bridge getting the attention it needs and deserves?

I wanted to share an update on what is happening with the Pecks Cove Bridge. I sent the following email to the Mayor and Tantramar Council this morning to advocate for our community and push for stronger representation and action on this critical infrastructure issue.

I will continue to update you with information I receive from municipal staff, council, or MLA Megan Mitton.

Post in the comments below pictures you have taken from your adventures in Lower Rockport.

Dear Mayor and Council

Good morning,

I am writing to you today regarding a critical safety and infrastructure issue facing our municipality: the severe weight restrictions on the Pecks Cove Bridge in Lower Rockport. As you know, this bridge is the sole access point for year-round homes, camps, popular outdoor destinations like the old chimney and the Cape Maringouin hiking trail, and scenic forest and shore areas. With the weight limit reduced down to 16 tons and 3 tons per axle, the community faces significant vulnerabilities regarding basic safety and property maintenance.

The real-world impacts of these restrictions are becoming impossible to ignore. A couple of local residents currently need their septic tanks pumped and simply cannot get service across the bridge. Additionally, a local farm recently needed to unload an entire tractor-trailer load of hay prior to the Pecks Cove bridge and then transport individual bales to their farm by smaller loads, taking an extensive amount of time and labor.

I deeply appreciate the ongoing work of Director Dupuis, CAO Ms. Borne, and Engineer Mr. Eppell for continuing to pursue solutions to this serious safety concern. At the same time, myself and the residents of Lower Rockport would like to see more active representation and vocal support from Council on this matter.

This council and previous ones have consistently shown a strong willingness to advocate fiercely for our region when major issues arise, such as being thoroughly vocal about the natural gas plant and Wheaton’s Bridge, even going so far as sending multiple letters to the province on items that had already been heavily expressed. When Councillor Hicks brings up the Pecks Cove Bridge, however, it frequently seems to result in just a brief discussion. Additionally, while the Mayor recently mentioned having a meeting with Chief Knockwood, details regarding those discussions were limited.

I recently met with a resident from Lower Rockport alongside MLA Megan Mitton. Megan is actively continuing to reach out to DTI as well as news outlets to secure media coverage for the bridge. Furthermore, I have been made aware that Chief Knockwood has already reached out directly to the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Indigenous Affairs.

Given these developments, I respectfully request that Council consider drafting and sending a formal letter of concern to the province regarding the critical state of the Pecks Cove Bridge, if one has not been sent already, to ensure our rural residents receive the same dedicated advocacy and visibility afforded to other major regional concerns.

Thank you all for your time, your hard work, and your continued dedication to representing every corner of Tantramar

07/16/2026

Do you know what's on the other side of the steel bridge at Pecks Cove?

Did you know life actually exists beyond the Pecks Cove bridge in Lower Rockport?
Here is what is out there:
- Ten year-round homes
- Seven camps or cottages
- Popular outdoor destinations such as the old chimney at a stone quarry, the Cape Maringouin hiking trail,
- Monument at Slacks Cove commemorating the historic 1763 arrival of 13 Baptist settlers
- Beautiful shores and forests to explore.

Are you aware of what is NOT beyond that bridge?
- No adequate fire service
- No reliable snow removal
- No road maintenance
- No septic pumping
- No well drilling
- Anything else that would require a vehicle that may have any amount of weight to it.

Wait... What?

Yes, the province of New Brunswick reduced the weight limit on the Pecks Cove bridge from roughly 40 tons down to 16 tons with a restriction of 3 tons per axle. That steel bridge is the only way in and out of Lower Rockport. With these restrictions, even a loaded moving van likely would not be able to safely cross the bridge, making moving in or out nearly impossible.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure originally had the bridge in its three-year Capital plan but later removed it. Information suggests it might go out to tender sometime in 2028. With restrictions already being reduced twice in roughly a year, this does not feel like an appropriate timeline. If it goes out to tender in 2028, when could construction even start?

What can you do?

You can support your neighbors by reaching out through the proper channels. Please email or write to the following representatives and officials:

Minister Chuck Chiasson: [email protected]
MLA Megan Mitton: [email protected]
Premier Susan Holt: [email protected]
Opposition Leader Glen Savoie: [email protected]
CAO Jennifer Borne: [email protected]
Municipal Engineer Jon Eppell: [email protected]
Mayor Debbie Wiggins-Colwell: [email protected]

While this is not a road that is managed by the municipality our engineer has been in discussions with DTI on behalf of residents.

For physical mail to provincial representatives, you can use the following address:

Kings Place
P. O. Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1
Canada

Please share this post to help us spread the word and get our community’s voice heard.

Should DTI be putting more effort into giving safe, adequate access to our rural areas?

I will pin a draft letter at the top of the comments that you can use if you would like to mail something directly. Let the community know what you think below!

​

Send a message to learn more

07/14/2026

What's on the agenda for tonight's council meeting?

If you didn’t have time to look through the council package for tonight's regular meeting, I have touched on the points in brief and if you want more details please check out the council package or tune into the meeting tonight.

PRESENTATIONS

Tonight, council is receiving presentations on the Cookville solar project and the Facade renovation project. They will also hear about the current procedural bylaw and receive a presentation from NB Power.

THE CONSENT AGENDA (QUICK APPROVALS)

These are standard requests up for a quick vote tonight:
Approval for a liquor license for an event on August 22nd.
Street closures for the Sackville Triathlon, also on August 22nd.
Street closures for the Pride Parade on September 21st.
A special permit with Parks Canada for Acadian Day at Fort Beausejour on August 14th.

INFRASTRUCTURE

We have some big-ticket items on the table:
The Elevator: Staff needs direction on putting in a fully accessible elevator. It’s a big project, coming in at $895,000 plus HST.

Ogden Mill Lift Station: After some recent pump failures, the engineering team wants the green light to switch this over to a "Flygt" system. The idea is to make it match the rest of the town's equipment so maintenance is easier down the road.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Our Tantramar fire service is looking to buy eight new gas detectors and a new breathing air (SCBA) compressor unit.

Also, a pretty interesting note: the province is offering to gift our town some refurbished wildland fire equipment. There are a couple of requirements to receive this gift, but it seems like a good opportunity for the municipality.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

I'd love to hear your take on a couple of these before the meeting tonight.

First, with the Ogden Mill lift station needing a replacement, do you feel it's important that our town's equipment matches across the board to keep things efficient?
Second, the province is offering that refurbished wildland fire gear with a few conditions. Do you think we should jump on these kinds of provincial partnerships whenever we can?

Drop your comments below! You can also find the links to the full council package and the live stream pinned in the comments section.

Send a message to learn more

07/12/2026

With nearly half of council absent from this past week's meeting, the facts, procedural rules, and agenda from the July 9th session highlight an important question about how municipal discussions are handled.

WHAT WAS ON THE AGENDA?

The only official item on the agenda was the “Four-Year Vision of Council.”

There was also a discussion between council and staff regarding the Vacant Land levy.

WHO WAS PRESENT?

Quorum was met: Enough council members were present to legally hold the meeting and conduct business.

Absences: Four members of council were absent, including the Deputy Mayor. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) was also not present.

THE PROCEDURAL RULES:

Under standard municipal procedural rules, a council is legally allowed to hold meetings and move forward with agenda items as long as a quorum is present. The presence of the CAO is also not a strict requirement for a meeting to proceed. Legally, the meeting met all requirements to take place.

THE CORE QUESTION: ROUTINE BUSINESS VS. LONG-TERM VISION

The discussion surrounding this meeting comes down to the specific item on the agenda:

One viewpoint: All procedural and legal requirements were met, ensuring that the necessary work of local government could continue without delay.

Another viewpoint: A "Four-Year Vision" is a major discussion that requires full input from council, alongside the specific staff and council representatives who can provide clarity on those topics.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

Can a meeting seeking the vision of council get enough information with four members missing?

Should meetings like this one be intentionally scheduled around the availability of the specific people who can provide clarity on major agenda topics?

Should there be more meetings of the same going forward at times that better accommodate councillors' schedules?

Based on the specific agenda item, would it have made more sense to reschedule the session for a time when a full table could participate?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below. All council meetings are a matter of public record, and you can view the minutes or the recorded stream to see the full discussion.

Send a message to learn more

07/10/2026

PROPERTY TAX REFORMS: What is New Brunswick's "Vacant Land Levy"?

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the provincial government’s new property tax reforms and the new tools being handed over to local municipalities. One of the big talking points is the "Vacant Land Levy," which was recently discussed at the special meeting of council on July 9, 2026.

But what actually is it, and who does it affect? Let’s break it down into plain English.

What is a Vacant Land Levy?
Think of it as an incentive tool (with teeth). For years, local communities have watched speculators or developers buy up prime pieces of empty land in our downtowns and neighbourhoods, only to let them sit idle and grow weeds while waiting for property values to rise.

The new framework allows municipalities to charge a tax premium or extra fee on these specific empty pieces of land. The goal isn't just about housing, it’s about any type of community growth. It forces owners to either build on the land (whether that’s an apartment building, a new retail shop, or a commercial space) or sell the land to someone who will invest in the town.
How is "Vacant Land" Actually Defined?
To avoid penalties hitting the wrong people, the province and Service New Brunswick use very specific boundaries. To trigger this type of levy, a property generally has to meet three criteria:

1. No Primary Structure: There is no permanent house, commercial building, or active storefront on the property.

2. Zoned for Development: It is officially coded as residential or commercial development land. It’s space inside the community where housing or business should be happening.

3. No "Spike Protection": Unlike your family home, empty pieces of land don't get the provincial 10% cap on assessment increases. They are taxed on raw market value, making them the direct target for this municipal tool.

The Big Exception: Woodland and Farmland
This is the most common question: “If I own a piece of woods or a family woodlot, am I going to get hit with a vacant land penalty?”

The short answer is No.

The province explicitly separates "vacant development land" from managed natural resource land. If your property is classified as a registered farm woodlot, farmland, or commercial timberland, it falls under entirely different rules (like the Farm Land Identification Program). The levy is laser-focused on under-utilized town land and anti-blight efforts, not rural forestry or agriculture.

Now that this tool has been formally brought to the table at the July 9 special meeting, what do you think? Should local councils use it to push for more development on empty land inside our communities? Let’s hear your thoughts below!