By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
At Stanstead’s monthly council meeting on Oct. 15, residents raised concerns during the first question period, covering topics from tree cutting and fencing issues to road repairs and updates on the Del Monty Hotel. Mayor Jody Stone presided over the meeting, with around eight residents in attendance, eager to discuss these pressing matters.
Concerns over tree cutting and fences
A significant portion of the first question period was dominated by residents voicing frustrations over tree cutting and fence-related issues near their properties. One resident was particularly vocal, stating, “He’s cutting trees, healthy ones, mature trees—just for no reason!” This sentiment was echoed by others who felt the cutting had been excessive and without proper consultation with those affected.
Another resident pointed out that not only were trees being removed, but the individual in question also failed to follow regulations, making their property maintenance more difficult. “The fence posts have been installed right on the boundary lines, and now they’ve been cemented in. I was told they would be moved, but here we are months later, and nothing has changed,” they complained.
The residents felt their complaints had not been taken seriously enough, with one individual emphasizing, “We’ve been talking about this for months, but it seems nothing is happening.” The council tried to reassure them, explaining that while the town was aware of the problem, legal and administrative steps had to be followed before any further actions could be taken. “We’re in the administrative phase, and while actions have been taken against the property owner, we have to follow legal protocols,” a councillor clarified. The council emphasized that they were doing what they could, but that these processes often take time.
Another resident highlighted the inconsistency in enforcement of tree-cutting permits, saying, “I applied for a permit to cut down a tree that was damaging my property, and it was denied, yet he’s cutting down healthy trees with no issues.” The councillor responded that while the town tries to enforce regulations fairly, there are situations where actions happen too quickly for intervention. “If someone decides to cut trees over the weekend, we don’t always have the power to stop them right away,” they admitted.
The discussion also delved into the impact of these developments on property values. One resident voiced concerns about their property’s declining value due to the construction, saying, “This is affecting the sale of my house. It’s not right that the town isn’t stepping in sooner to stop this.”
