Development, tax rate top concerns of Hamptonians
Election Eight candidates vying for four spots on council
HAMPTON - Development and the tax rate topped the issues discussed at a municipal candidates' debate in Hampton earlier this week.
While several of the eight candidates vowed to look at lowering the town's property tax rate, just as many called for investment in the town's infrastructure to support the impending growth the town expects will occur in the next five years as multi-million dollar projects in both Sussex and Saint John begin.
The only sparks that flew during the two-and-a-half-hour debate occurred when the candidates were asked how they would control the economic boom to prevent Hampton from losing its small-town character.
Roy Marchand, a forest ranger and a relative newcomer to the town, doesn't believe the growth can be controlled: "It's going to happen whether we want it to or not," he said.
But he said the growth can be organized and accommodated.
"We have to expand the town limits so we have more room for development," he suggested.
Marchand wasn't the only one to propose this idea, but it was his remark that prompted a reply from Peter Behr, a retired shipyard worker who has lived in Hampton for more than 30 years. Behr, who ran unsuccessfully once before for council, said the process could be a long and arduous one that could shake outlying communities.
"If you'd like to extend the boundaries of the town, then you have to take it from someone else," he said.
But even these sparks faded quickly during the cordial evening organized by the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce.
The debate over, candidate Stephen Langille admitted he'll even be hard-pressed to decide who else to vote for on May 12.
"It's too bad all eight candidates can't sit on council," he said.
About 100 residents turned out for the event, which saw the property tax rate, impending development, the environment and leisure activities top the issues.
Marchand, 24-year-old Adam Reid, and Behr all say that property taxes is one of the biggest concerns among the residents they polled.
And while the town's tax rate has remained steady the last two years, the property assessments conducted by the province have increased.
"I'm in favour of lowering the property tax rate," Reid said during his five-minute preamble.
But Behr said he's heard other concerns, like bad roads, uneven sidewalks and increased traffic and speeding.
Controlling and preparing for the growth that is expected to occur from the creation of a new potash mine in Sussex and the energy projects in Saint John was a common concern among all the candidates.
"In order to prepare for that growth, we need to plan for it and provide essential services, like police and fire," said Don Smith, who sat as a councillor during the last term before resigning last fall - as per protocol - to apply for the vacant town manager position. "We need to have a well-planned and well-balanced growth plan."
Robert Doucet, who is making his first bid for a seat on council, said the town needs to control the number of subdivisions that will develop in the ensuing years.
"If you let a number of subdivisions in here, you have to worry about water," he said. "I think we need a plan for the future of water."
Clara Lights, a small business owner in Hampton, wants to see the town's Main Street lined with new small businesses. She'd like to see another hockey rink and an indoor pool developed in the downtown and an outdoor skating rink created on the town common.
"As for big business trying to get into the town of Hampton, I don't think we have the population to support them," she said.
Dwight Bond, the only incumbent, said the town has tools within its municipal plan to control development. It can make certain requirements of developers or new businesses when it comes to landscaping or the cosmetic look of their buildings, he said.
"That is a form of control."
Many of the candidates believe the town's natural beauty and environment should be protected at all costs.
"I think tourism is one of the areas where we can prosper," said Langille. "Our arts and our nature are our brand that can bring people here."
To that end, he later added, the town common, which the town purchased in January from CN, should become a beautiful centrepiece that complements the historic courthouse and the soon-to-be-unveiled monument marking the life of John Peters Humphrey.
"It should be stunning," he said, drawing the only sudden applause from the audience. "That would raise the bar on Main Street."
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