It was a battle of wills as residents criticized the decision by St. Stephen Town Council to demolish the Old Town Hall Building at 34 Milltown Blvd.
The building is 130 years old, will need over $2 million in renovations, and Town Council has already voted to demolish.
About 30 people showed up to the meeting put on by the Town to discuss the matter, and why Council came to its decision. Some residents saying they felt blindsided by the decision to demolish, and some asking for more time to find the money to fix it.
St. Stephen Mayor John Quartermain says the decision is ultimately out of his hands, adding Council has spoken, and he doesn’t even get to vote on the matter. “In the Municipalities act, and in common sense, it would tell me that I have to respect Council’s decision, whether I agree with them or not, and I do agree with their decision.”
He says the Town of St. Stephen has waited for two years for someone to step forward with a plan to re-purpose the building and noone has come forward.
Quartermain adds they will have a special meeting on the issue, and if Council decides they want to reverse their decision, then that will be up to them.
