Too many resignations leave Sunbury-York South council on pause until fall
Mayor’s temporary suspension leads to lack of quorum
A municipal council just outside Fredericton is left unable to function until September after resignations and sanctions have piled too high.
Following the temporary suspension of Mayor David Hayward for 90 days, two councillors resigned in recent weeks, taking away the council quorum in Sunbury-York South.
The recent council meeting on July 10 lasted for one minute.
Acting clerk Leslie Morrell read a provincial regulation saying the council lacked quorum after the resignations of Coun. Tegan Noble on July 3 and Coun. Matthew Standish on July 9.
Morrell said the next council meeting with quorum, once Hayward returns to his role, would be Sept. 16.
The moment a municipal council could no longer functionThe council would normally have eight members, and five are needed for a quorum. There was already a vacancy before the two councillors resigned.
Normlly, if a council lost quorum, the Local Governance Commission of New Brunswick would appoint a supervisor, but that will not happen in this case.
"Although the Mayor is suspended, he is still a member of council, and as such, council still has overall quorum," commission director Mary Oley said in an email.
The rural community was created in 2023 and includes Nasonworth, Rusagonis, Waasis, Charters Settlement, Sunpoke and Beaver Dam.
Sunbury-York
South Mayor David hayward has been suspended for 90 days following a
council vote last month that found he broke the code of conduct. (Sunbury-York South Rural Community/Facebook)
Hayward was suspended after council found he violated the code of conduct by signing a two-year lease for the municipality's office space in Oromocto without bringing it to council for an official decision.
CBC News requested copies of the two councillors' resignation letters, but Morrell said they would not be available until they are read at the next council meeting in September.
Standish was unavailable for an interview, but said in an email that he chose to resign because he was unsatisfied with how council handled suspending the mayor.
He said council received a complaint "about one of our elected members and, despite my significant concerns, Council deliberately decided to not conduct an investigation before sanctioning the member," Standish wrote.
Sunbury-York
South CAO Marjorie Turner has pleaded not guilty to two charges under
the Local Governance Act. The allegations stem from an incident last
winter when citizens sought access to public documents. (Sunbury-York South Rural Community/Facebook)
Standish also said he was disappointed by a Facebook group that some residents created to hold the local government accountable, which he described as including misleading information
"Due to their influence, there is a risk no good people will step up to run in the elections next year, and there will be only a few individuals with obvious axes to grind," Standish wrote.
"I am very proud of the work I have done, but the toxicity and disinformation, on top of the workload, was taking too much of a toll on my family."
The Facebook group, called "Stop the Madness," has been where resident Mac Burns has shared many posts, including right to information packages he's received showing spending receipts from former CAO Marjorie Turner.
Turner was terminated by council last month, and is still facing two court charges relating to incidents where she called police on residents who came to the office seeking public documents they were legally entitled to. Turner has pleaded not guilty, and her next court appearance is Aug. 10.
CBC News sent an interview request to Lerry DeLong, the acting mayor, on Tuesday, and did not hear back.
CBC could reach the other councillor who resigned, Tegan Noble.
2nd time resignations have hit council this year
While Sunbury-York South council is temporarily unable to operate, this is not the first time this year that the council has been hit with councillors leaving their positions.
In January, Coun. Susan Yarom resigned, and in March, Coun. Gilles Turner resigned. One of the vacancies was filled in an April byelection.
CBC News recently obtained their resignation letters through a right to information request, which paint a picture of challenges in the municipal government that stretch back longer than the latest resignations.
In his letter, Turner wrote that the provincewide amalgamations that led to Sunbury-York South's creation was rushed and lacked proper guidance from the province.
"The lack of transparency, communication internally and externally and the resulting division damaged our credibility and effectiveness."
Turner wrote that he made his concerns known, but "the impact of not addressing them promptly" eroded his hope for meaningful change.
Yarom's letter also called the amalgamations rushed, describing it as "something that should be done over the course of years and robust public consultations."
She also highlighted what she called disrespect toward staff and council being too shortsighted.
"There has been a single-minded focus on gutting the budget to reduce the tax rate at the expense of essential services."
Yarom ended her letter by wishing the best for council, "but I can only hope that this council rights its course before the consequences cost the community."
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N.B. codes of conduct allow for degree of council secrecy not possible under N.S. rules
Neighbouring province goes further in requiring public transparency for investigations
Under New Brunswick rules, the public can be kept in the dark when their local officials face discipline — an approach far less open than one adopted next door in Nova Scotia.
In Strait Shores, in eastern New Brunswick, a councillor was temporarily suspended after an investigation that was kept from the public and was later found to have violated due process.
In the northern municipality of Heron Bay, which includes Dalhousie and Charlo, council suspended Mayor Normand Pelletier and, as Radio-Canada reported, has refused to publicly say why.
And in Sunbury-York South, the municipality has not publicly shared details of why Mayor David Hayward was suspended at a recent meeting.
Questions about due process have also arisen in Grand Lake, where a councillor was suspended in April following an investigation that never let her respond to the allegations she faced.
But if those four municipalities had been in Nova Scotia, recent legislation would have required details to be made public, following a clearly outlined due process for everyone involved in the investigations.
N.B. code has ambiguity, expert says
Last October, Nova Scotia adopted a new code of conduct for municipal elected officials, which acts as a blanket policy for all 49 municipalities in the province.
That's different from New Brunswick, where the Local Governance Act gives municipalities some guidelines that must be in their code of conduct but leaves it up to each council to create and implement their own version.
"The Nova Scotia code is clearer and avoids ambiguity like the one we have in New Brunswick," said André Daigle, a municipal law lawyer in Dieppe who's been working with municipalities and local planning commissions for more than 30 years.
Daigle said municipalities are left "in a vulnerable state because of the void that they have to fill themselves with the code of conduct."
The Nova Scotia code of conduct, bottom, is 3,971 words long while New Brunswick's, top, is 898 words. (Sam Farley/CBC)
Because of this, there are minor variations among the codes of New Brunswick councils.
The Nova Scotia code clocks in at 3,971 words, New Brunswick's has 898 words. Nova Scotia also mandates regular training on the new code for all elected officials, which is something the New Brunswick Union of Municipalities had called for.
For procedural fairness, the Nova Scotia code requires that a council member who is the subject of the complaint be given an opportunity to review and respond to information in an investigator's report. Details about who the investigator is and their contact must also be public.
And when imposing a sanction on a councillor, council must consider whether the member's contravention was intentional, a first-time offence, and whether the member has taken any steps to remedy the issue.
"And if they turn their mind to those factors, the hope, from what I can see, is that the sanctions will flow better," Daigle said. "And they'll be more measured if you take those things under consideration."
N.S. code includes clear outlines for transparency
Transparency is also a key focus of the Nova Scotia code. Once a council has acted on a complaint, it must publicly share what specific rule was broken, the investigator's recommendations and what sanctions were imposed.
In New Brunswick, a council must only make a report available to the complainant and the affected member of council. The council must review the report at a meeting and vote on a next step, but the meeting is allowed to be closed to the public if council deems the matter confidential.
"We're not really sure how to handle those investigations and at what point it becomes public and what details come out in public," Daigle said.
Heron Bay Mayor Normand Pelletier was suspended by council, which has not publicly stated the reason he was disciplined. (Radio-Canada)
By comparison, he described the Nova Scotia regulation as having "a fantastic framework."
He said the New Brunswick code should speak more to the process of a code of conduct investigation. Currently, the code says that there must be "a fair and impartial process for investigation."
"What is a fair and impartial process for an investigation? Don't leave municipalities guessing how to draft these. We have 72 municipalities, you're going to have 72 versions of the bylaw."
CBC News requested an interview with the Department of Local Government but one was not provided.
When asked why New Brunswick doesn't have requirements similar to Nova Scotia's, a spokesperson did not answer the question and instead said it is up to the discretion of each province and territory to establish regulations "as they best see fit."
Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy told CBC News in April that it's best for councils to handle their disciplinary process with little interference from Fredericton.
'We need to be held to a certain standard,' N.S. official says
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood, the president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, said the association spent two years helping draft the new legislation.
She said it was important the code of conduct be the same across the province because it was confusing to have something be outlawed in one municipality but allowed in a neighbouring municipality.
"We're here to serve the public," Mood said.
"And so sometimes we need help, not because everybody's dishonest, but because we need to know what the rules are and where we can go."
Before the new policy was enacted, Mood said, she would hear about councils having code of conduct violations "all the time."
Yarmouth
Mayor Pam wood, the president of the Nova Scotia Federation of
Municipalities, says it's important to have a code of conduct that's the
same across the province. (Paul Poirier/CBC)
"You have people screaming at each other … at a table where they were elected together to be a team, treating each other like they're the enemy," she said.
"It's childish and there's no need for it. You know, that type of behaviour is not power. It's exactly the opposite."
As for the transparency provisions of the new code, Mood said the public deserves to know what their elected officials are doing.
"Tell us if somebody's misbehaving, did I elect that person?" she said.
"It's not about making somebody look bad or punishing someone. We need to be held to a certain standard."
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Sunbury-York South CAO terminated, still facing charges
New spending receipts show lavish hotel, food charges on town card
The chief administrative officer of a small municipality near Fredericton has been terminated, according to the municipality's acting mayor.
"Marjorie Turner has left her position with the Rural Community of Sunbury-York South to explore other options," said a brief news release from acting mayor Larry DeLong.
But in an interview, DeLong confirmed that a vote council took last week to terminate an unnamed employee was about Turner. Officials had not confirmed this last week when the vote was first made public. DeLong declined to give any details on the reason for the termination.
The document containing the news release sent to reporters was titled "Media Release Turner termination."
DeLong is in the position of acting mayor because Mayor David Hayward was suspended for 90 days at a council meeting last week for breaking the code of conduct.
Deputy Mayor Larry DeLong takes over as acting mayor during the suspension of Mayor David Hayward. (Sunbury-York South Rural Community/Facebook)
The latest release about Turner was published on June 23, but the release says it was effective June 18.
Turner is still facing two court charges under the local governance act. They stem from two instances last winter when Turner called the police on citizens who had come to the municipal office to access public documents they were legally entitled to.
Turner has pleaded not guilty to the charges and her next court appearance is Aug. 10.
CBC News requested an interview with Turner through her lawyer, but did not get a response. The lawyer's office has previously declined requests to speak with Turner about the charges.
DeLong said Turner's termination did not have to do with the charges.
When asked if the CAO position would be filled, DeLong said the municipality's current plan is to move forward with the two existing employees — the treasurer and clerk.
Expensive hotel, restaurant charges on municipal card
Just as news of Turner's departure was revealed, resident Mac Burns, who was one of the people Turner called police on, received a right to information request he had sent to the municipality, seeking to access expense reports from the municipal bank cards.
The receipts show spending from cards linked to Turner, Hayward and another employee, but Turner has by far the most expenses.
While many of the charges are for routine charges that might be expected when managing a municipal office, there are also large charges at numerous restaurants and hotels in far-flung corners of the province between 2023 and 2024.
The receipts are from the Royal Bank of Canada, and do not include any descriptions of how — or if — each charge is related to municipal government.
There's a $200 charge at Chateau Moncton and a $604 charge at Morel Executive Suites in Edmundston.
Turner expensed a $1,008 stay at the Algonquin Resort in Saint Andrews and $22 at the nearby liquor store. (CBC)
There are also charges for more upscale hotels. Turner has an $824 charge at Hotel Shediac, which describes itself on its website as a "full-service, upscale retreat perfect for relaxation, romance, and rejuvenation in the heart of the lobster capital of the world."
That same trip saw an $80 charge for Le Bistro Shediac.
In September 2024, Turner expensed a $1,008 stay at the Algonquin Resort in Saint Andrews. On that same trip, Turner expensed a $22 bill at the liquor store in Saint Andrews and $95 at the Salt Bight Restaurant and Bar.
During her stay in St. Andrews, Turner used her municipal card for $22 at the liquor store. (María José Burgos/CBC)
But beyond the lavish hotel stays, there were many charges from restaurants both near and far from the municipality she oversaw.
They include $195 at Jane's Seven Burgers in Oromocto, $136 at Eastside Mario's in Moncton, $199 at Simon's Kitchen and Bakery in New Maryland, $45 at the Lunar Rogue Pub in Fredericton, $93 at the Pizza Delight in Oromocto, and $98 at the Blue Canoe restaurant at the Fredericton Big Stop.
There were also some charges with less explanation, such as a $345 bill at Trites Flower Shop in Fredericton and a $110 bill for DoorDash from a Thai restaurant in Vancouver, B.C.
Over the course of the two years covered by the receipts, Turner also used the card for 43 separate Amazon transactions, totalling $9,768. The receipts do not specify what exactly was purchased on any of those transactions.
But Turner also shopped local. Over those two years, she spent a total of $1,262 at Staples, $1,152 at Covey Basics, $3,135 at Ikea, $678 at Costco and $208 at Canadian Tire. None of those receipts are itemized.
Council now reviewing receipts, spending policy
When asked if the receipts had anything to do with Turner's termination, DeLong said council has struck a finance and internal audit committee, "and we are now reviewing those receipts, all of those receipts to, I guess, determine the appropriateness of ... some of those items."
Before he was suspended, Hayward had previously told CBC News in May that there was no spending policy in place, so Turner had not broken any rules.
DeLong said council has a local governance committee, which is in the process of reviewing all bylaws, procedures and policies, including a spending policy for staff.
"The residents who brought those concerns [about Turner] forward, I would say that we are putting in procedures and policies to prevent those, and I think that we are going to be able to move forward in a positive direction," DeLong said.
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Sunbury-York South mayor temporarily suspended by council, unnamed employee to be fired
CAO of same municipality has pleaded not guilty to charges under Local Governance Act
As more challenges have come to the council of a rural community just outside Fredericton, local officials are being tight-lipped about major personnel changes they voted on.
During a seven-hour meeting that began Tuesday night and stretched to 2 a.m. Wednesday, the Sunbury-York South council voted to both temporarily suspend Mayor David Hayward for violating the code of conduct and to move to fire an unnamed employee.
CBC made numerous attempts to verify which employee is being fired, but officials in the municipality have not answered.
Created under the province's 2023 municipal amalgamations, Sunbury-York South includes Nasonworth, Rusagonis, Waasis, Charters Settlement, Sunpoke and Beaver Dam.
Hayward's suspension relates to how the municipality approved the lease for an office without going through a council vote.
Hayward's suspension has to do with how the municipality handled signing a lease for an office space in nearby Oromocto. (Sam Farley/CBC)
CBC News requested a copy of the meeting minutes but was told by acting clerk Leslie Morrell that they would not be made public until they are approved at the next council meeting in July.
However, the day after the meeting, Coun. Cory Allen and Coun.Hajnalka Hartwick held their own public meeting to go over details of what was decided for interested members of the public.
In a video shared with CBC News, Hartwick told the crowd that "a member" had been reprimanded, suspended for 90 days, and asked for a letter of apology after council decided in closed session that the member had violated the code of conduct.
Hartwick said the vote had happened at about 2:10 a.m. toward the end of the meeting.
While Hartwick did not name the person on council who was reprimanded, municipality resident Mac Burns told CBC News it was Mayor David Hayward, following a complaint he had made against the mayor.
In the complaint, Burns said Hayward had signed a two-year lease for the municipality's office space in Oromocto without having it done as an official decision of council.
In Hayward's absence for 90 days, Deputy Mayor Larry Delong takes over as acting mayor. (Sunbury-York South Rural Community/Facebook)
Allen said in the meeting that the lease had been for $343,000 for a two-year term.
Last month, CBC News asked the clerk for council minutes that showed a vote on the office lease. The package of meeting minutes that the clerk provided did not show the council taking any vote on the lease.
Minutes from last Sept. 5 say that "council agreed to direct the CAO to move forward with rental negotiations," and minutes from Nov. 19 show that council moved for a presentation from the CAO "on details of the new lease." But nowhere in the minutes provided was a vote ever taken.
In their Wednesday night meeting, Allen and Hartwick also said there was a closed session, followed by a motion in an open session for the mayor to "carry out the steps to facilitate the termination of the staff member effective immediately."
Neither of the councillors gave a reason for why the employee was to be fired or who it was.
Despite holding a public meeting, both Hartwick and Allen declined requests to confirm what they said, with both saying they were not spokespersons for the municipality. The two councillors directed all questions to Larry Delong, the acting mayor.
The municipal clerk also would not confirm who was to be fired and directed questions to Delong.
Delong did not answer any of the requests the CBC made by email and phone.
As of Friday afternoon, no changes had been made to the municipality's website or social media page to announce Hayward's sanctions or which employee is going to be fired.
CAO faces court charges, pleads not guilty
Sunbury-York South is the same municipality whose chief administrative office is facing charges in court under the Local Governance Act The charges against Marjorie Turner relate to two separate instances where she allegedly called the police on residents asking for public documents they were legally entitled to.
Sunbury-York
South CAO Marjorie Turner has pleaded not guilty to two charges of not
providing public documents after instances where she called the police
to have citizens trespassed from the municipal office. (Sunbury-York South Rural Community/Facebook)
A clerk for the Fredericton provincial court confirmed to CBC News on Thursday that Turner's next appearance is on Aug. 10, and that she has entered a not guilty plea.
When the charges were first announced, Hayward had said in an interview that Turner's employment with the municipality would be a "human resources matter" for the municipality to discuss.
It's unclear if Turner is the employee who has been terminated by the municipality. CBC News tried to reach Hayward by phone and email for comment but did not get a response.
CBC News also tried the lawyer representing Turner to confirm if she is still employed by the municipality but has not received a response.
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Local official calls police on residents seeking public government records
Sunbury-York South CAO facing charges for obstructing access to public documents
Sunbury-York South CAO Marjorie Turner is facing two charges of not providing public documents. The charges are related to incidents where she called the police to have two residents banned from the municipal office. (Sunbury-York South Rural Community/Facebook)An official of a rural municipality outside Fredericton is facing charges after she called the RCMP on residents asking for public documents they were legally entitled to.
Marjorie Turner, the chief administrative officer for Sunbury-York South, was scheduled to appear in Fredericton provincial court on Wednesday on two charges of violating the Local Governance Act, which police officials called "extremely rare."
Turner was not present, but CBC News made a request for an interview through her lawyer, who was in court for the proceeding, which was adjourned without plea until May 28. Turner has not yet responded to the interview request.
Created under the province's 2023 municipal amalgamations, Sunbury-York South includes Nasonworth, Rusagonis, Waasis and Charters Settlement.
Mac Burns, who's lived in the community for 50 years, first took an interest in the new council after it proposed building an $8 million municipal complex last fall. Council later backed down after a public outcry.
Resident
Mac Burns was one of two people Marjorie Turner tried to have banned
from the municipal office after they asked for public documents. (Chad Ingraham/CBC)
"We were saying, if they're going to spend $8 million on a municipal building, where else are they spending the money?" he said in an interview earlier this week.
Burns started looking into how much the municipality had paid for land on Chaparral Road in Waasis for the proposed building and how much it was paying to rent a temporary office in neighbouring Oromocto.
CAO called police on two residents
Burns went to the municipal office on Dec. 19 to ask for records that would explain why certain matters had been discussed in closed session. Under the Local Governance Act, a council must record "the type of matter" discussed in closed session in their meeting minutes.
The act also states that most council documents "shall be available for examination by members of the public" in the clerk's office.
But the clerk told Burns several times it was not available. He said Turner then appeared and asked him to leave while she was on the phone to the RCMP. Burns recorded the audio of the interaction on his phone, which he shared with CBC News.
By that time, Turner had already called the RCMP on another resident, Melissa Gillis, who had also been seeking public records.
Gillis confirmed with CBC News that she was given a trespass notice on Nov. 27.
CAO
Marjorie Turner and Mayor David Hayward are shown together in a photo
days after the municipality was created in January 2023. (Sunbury-York South Rural Community/Facebook)
She also shared an April 11 email from Mayor David Hayward, who apologized for the notice and said it had been lifted.
When asked if he was concerned with what happened, Hayward said in an interview that he wanted to make clear that it was Turner as an individual facing charges, not the entire municipal government.
Hayward said Turner has been out of the office "for some time" and he hasn't spoken with her since the incidents.
When asked if he would support her employment if Turner is found guilty, Hayward said it would be a human resources matter to be discussed at that time.
RCMP confirms they were called to office twice
In an interview, RCMP Sgt. Stéphane Esculier of the Oromocto detachment confirmed the RCMP were called to the municipal office for "disturbances" on both dates and said a trespass notice was issued for the first incident but not the second, although it "had been considered."
RCMP
Sgt. Stéphane Esculier of the Oromocto detachment confirmed that police
were called on two occasions for 'disturbances' at the municipal
office. (Sam Farley/CBC)
Esculier said there is a "fairly low threshold" to issue a trespass notice to someone.
"It's something that was requested by the CAO at the time to avoid, I guess, further disturbances at the location," he said.
Esculier said the RCMP then investigated the incidents, which resulted in the charges the CAO now faces — two counts of failing to provide documents required for examination by members of the public. She faces a maximum fine of $5,200.
He said the Local Governance Act is not something the RCMP deals with very often, although it does have jurisdiction.
"Personally, that's the first time I've seen charges under that act," Esculier said.
Charges racked up at Costco, Amazon
Burns said his investigation revealed other concerns, completely separate from the charges Turner is facing.
Documents received through a right to information request show the municipality's bank card racked up charges for various items at Costco.
The receipts don't have a name attached and include office-type purchases like coffee pods and office supplies. But they also go beyond the expected, including gouda and havarti cheese, pickles, ramen, yogurt, peanut butter, fruit salad, dark chocolate, mozzarella bites and carrots.
Havarti
cheese snacks were one of the items that appeared on Costco receipts
from purchases made with the municipality's bank card. (Sam Farley/CBC)
There was also a receipt from the Costco food court for a chicken tenders meal — with extra gravy.
Receipts for Amazon were clearly addressed to Turner. They include a $26.44 microwave egg cooker and a $41.99 essential oil diffuser.
"I'm concerned with the administration office when you're buying peanut butter and Mr. Noodles, dill pickles and being charged to the taxpayers," Burns said.
He said he's kept on the case because he's retired and wants to hold municipal officials accountable.
"I think what we found was no checks and balances with the CAO," he said.
"So the message is to be diligent. See what your council is doing, see what the mayor is doing and that act — make sure they follow the act."
Mayor stands by staff, council
Hayward said he was aware of the receipts and that they led the municipality to start working on a new spending policy for employees.
"Without that structure in place, if there isn't a rule, then you're not breaking the rule," Hayward said.
"I want to be be very clear that I don't believe any member of our council or staff have any nefarious plans or there's been any extraordinary expenditures outside of the norm."
Retired mountie says situation is 'nonsense'
Gilles Blinn, a retired RCMP staff sergeant who's lived in Nasonworth for 30 years, said he's concerned about "a lack of accountability."
He called the trespass warnings nonsense and said citizens are entitled to public information "because we pay their wages, right? It's a government organization. They have to provide it. There's no two ways about it."
Retired
Mountie Gilles Blinn, who lives in Sunbury-York South, said he's never
heard of charges being issued under the Local Governance Act before. (CBC)
Blinn echoed what Esculier said about charges under the Local Governance Act being rare.
"I don't know if we've ever laid one in this province, ever," Blinn said.
He admitted that it's "not the crime of the century," likening it more to a speeding ticket than a criminal offence. But Blinn said it was serious enough to warrant a charge and that the CAO is ultimately beholden to residents.
"These people request something, you have to provide it, right?" he said.
"You just can't call the police for everybody that shows up requesting something."
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Friday, 9 May 2025
Gilles Blinn, a retired RCMP staff sergeant who's lived in Nasonworth for 30 years, said he's concerned about "a lack of accountability."
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Gilles J. Blinn
National Police Federation's Post
Proposed $8M town hall project in rural N.B. community prompts comparison to Taj Mahal
Some residents concerned about the impact new municipal building would have on their taxes
A controversy has developed in the newly amalgamated community of Sunbury-York South over plans for a new municipal building.
Opposition erupted after a move by council to ask the Municipal Capital Borrowing Board, a provincial government entity, for pre-approval to borrow up to $8 million for the project, located in a community south of Fredericton.
A meeting to hear public input was to take place Tuesday, however, the application was withdrawn Friday, said Mayor David Hayward.
At that point, many people in the community had already expressed anger and concern about it online.
The dollar figure prompted some residents to liken the proposed structure to the Taj Mahal and to worry about the impact on their taxes.
While acknowledging that a new building would likely cause taxes to increase, Hayward said his belief is that much of the opposition has been based on misinformation.
"It was never anyone's intention to build an $8-million building for four staff," he said, describing that notion as "absurd."
"That would outrage anyone, and I can certainly understand people's frustrations with that," he said.
What is actually being considered is a building that may incorporate additional facilities or services, he said.
A new fire hall, for example, might be worth the extra tax dollars if it results in savings on insurance, he suggested.
There is no office space available in Sunbury-York South, said Hayward, noting it's currently renting municipal offices in Oromocto.
Objections to the size of the new building are also premature, said Hayward, as no plans have been drawn up.
It could end up being a lot cheaper to build than the $8-million approval sought from the borrowing board, he added, likening the process to getting pre-approved for a mortgage before house shopping.
"It seemed a little bit over the top to just land us with $8-million worth of debt without having more consultation about it," said resident Jeanne Clarke-Walker, who first learned of the plan a few weeks ago, after someone shared an article about it on social media.
Clarke-Walker said she subsequently sought information on the municipality's website, but couldn't find any.
She was one of several Sunbury-York South residents who wrote to CBC's Information Morning Fredericton to express concerns about the plans for the building.
"I personally don't see the need to spend that sort of money," she wrote.
In a subsequent phone interview, Clarke-Walker said she and her husband are pensioners and choose to live in a rural area specifically for its low tax rate.
"We don't have a lot of disposable income that we can add additional taxes to," she said.
She also took issue with a perceived lack of transparency.
"I'd just like to know what we're paying for," she said.
"I believe that their future plans for the community need to be fully discussed before we launch ourselves into that much debt."
She and several other residents also expressed concern that 30 acres of land may have already been purchased for the project without public notice or opportunity to object.
The mayor had not yet responded to a message from CBC to confirm that as of publication time, but the incurrence of a long-term debt of $300,000 is mentioned in the minutes of a council meeting in September.
Another Sunbury-Yorth South resident, Carolyn Nickerson said she felt council had been misled into trying to develop municipal infrastructure similar to its westerly neighbour, Hanwell.
"We are in a completely different tax bracket and population size," said Nickerson, who also noted concerns about increased spending on the chief administrative officer's salary and bylaw enforcement.
Nickerson and some others who wrote in said rather than a big new municipal building, they'd prefer to have the municipality renovate an existing recreation centre in Rusagonis, which is one of the communities amalgamated into Sunbury-York along with Nasonworth, Beaverdam, Charters Settlement, Waasis, and Tracyville.
There is still plenty of time for community consultation, said the mayor.
Input will be gathered over the next six months, he said.
Despite the objections and the withdrawal of the borrowing board application, preliminary work for a new building is still going ahead, said Hayward.
An alternate source of provincial funding has been secured to begin the planning process, he said.
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Message from the Mayor
As your Mayor for the 2023-2026 term I would like to extend, from myself and the rest of your elected Council, a heartfelt welcome to the new Rural Community of Sunbury-York South!
Our new Rural Community was created from the former Local Service Districts of New Maryland and Rusagonis-Waasis and now comprises Charters Settlement, Nasonworth, Beaverdam, Rusagonis, Waasis, and part of Tracyville. We are proud of our community’s mixture of rural properties, farms, woodlots, subdivisions, and businesses both large and small.
Our approximately 8,100 residents enjoy the many opportunities for recreation on our rivers, streams, lakes, and trails. As a Council, we strive to build on our community’s strengths to ensure we grow and develop without compromising what makes Sunbury-York South Rural Community so special.
~ David
Message from the CAO
Chief Administrative Officer, Clerk, Treasurer
Marjorie Turner
Marjorie has an honors Bachelor of Finance degree and a Master of Business Administration in Venture Commercialization – Scaling and Investment on the Deans’ list from the University of New Brunswick. She has many years in management roles. She has experience as a Real Estate Agent, in domestic construction, and in a few entrepreneurship endeavors.
She has worked for the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly and was appointed to an elected provincial political party as Lead Researcher and analyst. During her term with the Legislative Assembly, researching government finance department records relating to the Motor Vehicle Act developed a case for the New Brunswick Government officials showing how the department could save 42 million dollars and allow one-time car registrations. Without this financial evidence, the remainder of Bill 18 would have been voted out. Instead, the financial savings forwarded that portion of the bill into a review. The other two parts (Front License Plate Removal) and (Car inspection changes) of the amendment passed and became law on January 21, 2020. She also worked for Opportunities New Brunswick Export team and the New Brunswick Provincial Justice and Public Safety as a Financial analyst.
Marjorie loves to be with family and friends in her spare time. She spends time at her cottage on the Miramichi River and has caught a 12lb Atlantic salmon on a fly. She loves all types of boating. She appreciates all forms of culture and is an artist.
“I am very excited to work with the first elected council for the Rural Community of Sunbury-York South. I bring many years of experience to the job, entrepreneurial spirit, and drive to create a fantastic community annexing and respecting all the communities that have been there for generations. My grandmother and father were both born in Rusagonis. And families from both sides have connections to the first plots of land ownership in these areas. I am so proud to have the opportunity to represent my heritage and everyone who lives in these wonderful communities”.
Meet Your Council
Mayor David Hayward
I grew up in Nasonworth, where my parents continued to live, in the same house, until 2022 when they decided to move to Rusagonis where my parents grew up and where I have lived for the last 25 years. To say my roots run very deep in the community would be an understatement. I am the very proud father of two children Madison and Cameron that I have had the privilege of raising in Rusagonis with my wife Theresa.
I have worked for the last 30 years with the Sobeys Distribution team in various capacities managing a very large team.
I have operated Covered Bridge Farm in Rusagonis for the last 25 years with my brother. Many may be familiar with the farm on the blind hill in Rusagonis.
I have spent the last few years as the Chairman of the Rusagonis/Waasis LSD as well as various other boards and organizations on the local, Provincial and Federal levels for many years.
In the last few years we have seen the Rusagonis/Waasis area be the top growing rural community in Canada. It’s unprecedented growth is welcome but I am of the opinion that we do not want to lose the many things that have attracted said growth.
Deputy Mayor Larry Delong
Larry has a background in many successful ventures, such as International Business, Financial Skills, and Entrepreneurial Skills. He also has experience in Sales and Sales Management Project Management. He has a double Bachelors Degrees along with many other accreditations. He has many years of leadership and community involvement:
Member- Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI), Member and Treasurer of Nasonworth Baptist Church, Member of New Maryland Lions- a humanitarian service organization, Volunteer- Fredericton Community Kitchen, Former Board of Advisors- International Association of Students of Economics and Commerce (AEISEC), Served as Volunteer Advisor with Junior Achievement Fredericton, Past Board Member/Coach of Fredericton Youth Hockey Association, Volunteer coach for Fredericton District Soccer Association, Past Vice President of Fredericton Boys and Girls Club, Past Board member of the New Maryland Soccer Association, Member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council, Member of the Canadian College of Immigration Consultants, Member of CAPIC- Canadian Assoc. of Professional Immigration Consultants, Board Member and Treasurer (2022) for Bibles for Mission Thrift Store, Volunteer Driver Meals on Wheels Fredericton.
Ward 2 Matthew Sheppard
Hello Sunbury-York South!
My name is Matthew Sheppard and I am excited to be one of your new councillors. First and foremost, my ultimate goal in this position is to make our area the lowest taxed and most free community in New Brunswick.
I was born in Fredericton and raised in rural New Brunswick, 15 minutes away from where I now live in Rusagonis. I know this area well and I am pleased to be representing this dynamic rural region.
My wife and I are blessed to be raising our three daughters in this community. Our children are fortunate to have two sets of grandparents and even one set of great-grandparents living within ten minutes of us. We plan to make this area our forever home.
My long-standing interest in politics and my volunteer experience on many political campaigns has provided great insight to serve as councillor. I have also been on multiple federal and provincial political boards.
The newly established local government positions have the potential to do great things and be a much-needed voice for this area. However, I am concerned as this opens the door for a small number of people to make policies that could negatively affect the nearly 8,000 people living in this community. This was the motivating factor that led me to throw my hat into the ring this past election. I pledge to use my voice and my vote to block any big government ideas that try to come to our independent rural area.
Join me in making Sunbury-York South the lowest taxed and most free community in New Brunswick!
Thank you!
Ward 2 Hajnalka Hartwick
I have over 22 years of government experience which includes 10 years in local government. My past positions with government include Senior Legal Administrator, Deputy Clerk, Legal Assistant, and my current position is an RTIPPA Co-ordinator. Prior to government, I worked in the private industry with various lawyers for over 20 years as a Law Clerk. I obtained my Law Clerk designation from the Ontario Institute of Law Clerks and Business Administration Certificate through community college.
I am very focused on making smart decisions, following the legislated duties and responsibilities, and having good policies and procedures in place. I want our rural community to be financially responsible to the residents, be open and transparent, and make smart choices.
I moved to Rusagonis in 2018 and love living in Sunbury-York South Rural Community. I believe our community has a lot to offer to the residents and I want to keep its rural character with minimal change.
I invite and encourage anyone to reach out to my directly if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. I am a voice of the community on Council and want to make sure your voice can be heard and understood.
I can be reached by telephone at (506) 262-9724 or by email at HajnalkaHartwick@sysrc.ca.
Councilor at Large Tegan Noble
Tegan Noble graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 2016 with a BSc. Honours in Environment and Natural Resources Management. Tegan has experienced working with private, public and not for profit sectors including the previous Rusagonis-Waasis LSD Advisory Committee.
Tegan is family oriented with two children and enjoys helping her husband with their beef cattle. Tegan decided to run because she is passionate about her community and dedicated to ensuring a good quality of life for current and future residents.
Councillor for Ward 2
Matthew Standish
Matthew Standish grew up in the village of Killaloe in rural Eastern Ontario, before attending Tyndale University and graduating with a BA in History. He then commissioned into the Canadian Armed Forces and served as an infantry officer until the summer of 2022. He came out to New Brunswick in 2016 and liked it so much that he asked to come to the Royal Canadian Regiment battalion in Gagetown, and decided to stay afterward. After his release, he went to Texas to do his Masters in Business Administration at Baylor University, and then returned and is currently working in a financial and administrative role with the Department of National Defence.
He met his wife in the summer of 2020, and they married in 2021 and live on Carrie Street with their two rescue dogs. He is a firm believer in the idea that our governments should have a very narrow mandate, and focus on doing that efficiently. While in certain respects necessary, government does not create human flourishing. It is important to keep it out of the way of the people who do the living and breathing in the community, and who will flourish on their own with minimal interference.
He invites all members of the community to reach out and talk to him. Even if, at that moment, he doesn’t have an answer to a specific question, he thinks that it is incredibly important as it helps remain in touch with the members of the community, and to understand the mood and temperament of the electorate
Councillor at Large
Seat vacant
This seat is to be filled in the May 2026 election.
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