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Greg Norton

Saint John councillor calls for regular reports from community safety team

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A Saint John councillor is calling for regular reports from the city’s new community safety team.

During Monday’s city council meeting, Greg Norton proposed a notice of motion requesting that the team report to council. Norton said the idea came from his role on the Saint John Police Board of Commissioners.

He said that council receives monthly police reports detailing community work, which helps members understand budget pressures and identify areas for improvement. Because the community safety team performs similar functions, Norton said comparable data is needed to justify the use of taxpayer dollars.

“It’s important to understand what they are exactly doing, and looking for those data sets is part of the conversation,” he said.

The city announced the pilot community safety services team in December in response to concerns about safety and disorder in Waterloo Village, uptown Saint John, and the Thorne Avenue–Rothesay Avenue corridor.

GardaWorld was awarded a $780,000 annual contract to provide a 24/7, non-police presence to patrol those areas and respond to non‑emergency issues. The team began work in February.

Norton said anecdotal feedback suggests the service is benefiting the community but emphasized the need to measure its effectiveness and determine the appropriate scale of the program.

“Sizing the service can only be done when we have the data to support that discussion,” he said, adding that detailed reporting would help assess whether the pilot is a good use of public funds.

According to an email statement from the city, the community safety team falls under the Growth and Community Services department of the City of Saint John and reports to the Community Standards Compliance team.

However, Norton believes the team is better suited to report to the council, particularly the Public Safety Committee.

“Voters elect us to be stewards of the dollars that we spend, and so it’s important that they speak to us and report directly to us, as we represent the public,” he said.

In a separate email statement Wednesday, city of Saint John spokesperson Lisa Kennedy clarified that the team is already scheduled to present at the next Public Safety Committee meeting.

Saint John Law Courts in summer

Estabrooks settlement nearly finalized

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While there are still some details to be worked out, a settlement agreement between victims of Kenneth Estabrooks and the City of Saint John has been completed.

Justice Darrell Stephenson OK’d the agreement during a hearing in Saint John Thursday morning, approving a $16.5-million deal.

“The settlement is fair, reasonable and in the best interest of the class,” Stephenson said.

He said it not only brought some certainty to class members, but eliminated the need for them to testify in what would likely have been a drawn-out trial.

The class-action suit was brought in 2013 by Robert Hayes, one of Estabrooks’ victims.

RELATED: Hayes and Other Victims File Class-Action Suit Against the City

It claimed Estabrooks used his position as a Saint John police officer to sexually abuse a number of people between 1953 and 1975.

It was also alleged he was transferred to the city’s works department when incidents came to light and that he continued to sexually abuse people there until his retirement in 1983.

Private investigators hired by the city found 263 people, mostly boys, may have been abused.

Estabrooks was convicted of four counts of indecent assault in 1999.

He died in prison in 2005 while serving a six-year sentence.

The exact amount each victim will receive from the settlement is not yet known.

Justice Stephenson asked lawyers for all parties to prepare submissions regarding a $2.3-million payout for a litigation fund as part of the case.

He said that amount, along with other legal fees and expenses to be paid out of the settlement, means only 43.5 per cent of the settlement will actually go to the class members.

“I don’t want this to become some benchmark precedent,” Stephenson said.

Among the settled amounts, Hayes will receive an honorarium of $25,000 for acting as the representative plaintiff.

Justice Stephenson said it was clear Hayes was “perhaps more than entitled” to the amount.

“I salute your tenacity and your courage in seeing this through,” the justice said to Hayes.

A photo of the exterior of the building that houses Saint John City Hall.

Saint John names new CAO

The City of Saint John has appointed a new chief administrative officer.

Ian Fogan took over the role Tuesday following a vote at Monday’s Common Council meeting.

Fogan is a longtime member of the senior leadership team in Saint John.

He’s played a significant role in moving key initiatives forward, including long-term financial and capital planning, transit modernization, enterprise risk management and intergovernmental relations.

In a statement, Mayor Donna Noade Reardon said council is confident in Fogan’s ability to lead the organization into the future.

“Ian is a respected leader with a strong understanding of our organization and our community,” Reardon said. “Council is confident that his experience, professionalism, and commitment to public service will help guide Saint John forward as we continue to advance our strategic priorities and deliver services that matter to residents.”

Fogan said in a statement that he’s honoured to take on his new role.

“Saint John is a community I care deeply about,” he said. “I am proud to continue serving residents and working alongside Council and City employees to build a strong and sustainable future for our city.”

Councillors also thanked Kevin Fudge for his work as acting CAO over the past few months.

“Kevin’s leadership during this transition has been invaluable,” said Reardon. “On behalf of Council and the organization, I want to thank him for his thoughtful leadership, guidance and support for the City ensuring continuity of our positive momentum during this consequential period.”

Fudge will continue on in his roles as chief financial officer and chief of staff.

Road closed sign against a bright blue sky

Traffic delays in uptown Saint John

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Drivers should expect some delays and detours in the uptown Friday.

The City of Saint John has advised of a traffic interruption on Germain Street.

The street will be closed through traffic between King and Grannan streets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The closure is necessary for major building renovations taking place in the area.

Businesses will remain open while the work is being done. Road signs and sidewalk signs will be in place.

green and white apple logo

City of Saint John warns of parking ticket scams

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The City of Saint John has received calls notifying them of a text message scam. These texts request payment for an overdue parking ticket via a link at the bottom of the message.

“These text messages are not from the City of Saint John. We do not notify the public of fines through texting or social media,” the city put out in a notice.

Do not click the link or provide payment details. Instead, those who have received these messages should report them to their cellphone provider and then delete them.

The city will only notify you of a parking ticket by serving a ticket on your vehicle or by mailing a late notice of outstanding tickets to the registered owner of the vehicle.

For questions or concerns please reach out the parking@saintjohn.ca or contact Customer Service at (506) 658-4455, open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saint John Sign_Brad Perry

Heritage developers recognized in Saint John

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Saint John’s Heritage Development Board announced the winners of its 2026 Heritage Awards this week.

Board chair Melissa Wakefield made a short presentation to Saint John Common Council.

“These exemplary projects have been completed by dedicated property owners in 2025 together with local contractors and artisans who lend their skills and expertise to ensure a job well done,” Wakefield said.

Wakefield said the city’s heritage conservation area bylaws enable preservation of historic buildings that “make up part of our cultural landscape.”

“The Heritage Development Board approves appropriate developments that retain characteristics and the spirit of our heritage areas while encouraging continued and new use of the buildings as well,” Wakefield said.

“However, it is the individuals such as the award recipients this evening who invest many dollars and hours into maintaining the city’s architectural assets, which will be appreciated by our community and visitors for generations to come.”

Here are the winners:

Commercial Façade Rehabilitation Award

  • 15 Canterbury Street
  • 38-42 Water Street
  • 96 Germain Street

Residential Façade Rehabilitation Award

  • 118 Orange Street
  • 216 Germain Street

Heritage Signage Award

  • 22 King Street
  • 87 Canterbury Street

Heritage Stewardship Award

  • 274 Sydney Street

Committed to the Craft Award

  • Hatch + Parley
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City of Saint John seeking public’s input on new Harbour Passage extension

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The city is inviting residents to attend a public information session to do with the design of a new extension to Harbour Passage.

The extension would go from the intersection of Broad St. and Carmarthen St. to Rockwood Park.

The project is a part of the city’s commitment to new development for transportation and public spaces.

The information session will be held at the Trinity Anglican Church, located at 115 Charlotte St. on Feb. 12 from 3p.m. to 7p.m.

“Representatives from the City of Saint John along with the project design team from Englobe Corp. and UPLAND Planning & Design Studio will be available to answer questions and collect public feedback,” the city said in a statement.

Saint John City Sign_Alex Allan_Acadia Broadcasting

Community Safety and Security team ready to launch in Saint John

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A pilot program aimed at improving safety and security in parts of Saint John is set to start Feb. 2.

The Community Safety and Security Team was formed in response to residents, businesses and community partners raising concerns about safety and disorder in parts of Waterloo Village, uptown Saint John and the Thorne Avenue/Rothesay Avenue corridor.

The team is being delivered by GardaWorld as a contracted, non-police service.

Patrols will ramp up to 24-7 through February to ensure a smooth start.

The first week will see team members on the street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with all team members scheduled.

The City hopes this will result in higher visibility in the service area and a focus on introductions and relationship-building with residents and businesses.

Service will extent to 6 a.m. to midnight for the second and third weeks before the move around-the-clock coverage.

The city’s manager of community standards said team members will address day-to-day issues affecting safety and accessibility in public spaces.

“Including but not limited to obstruction, open drug or alcohol use, vandalism and littering, using voluntary compliance first,” said Benn Purinton.

“When situations are outside of scope or meet escalation thresholds, the team will hand off to the appropriate partner.”

Purinton stressed the team members are not police.

“They do not investigate crimes and they do not detain people.”

Coun. Barry Ogden said he’d be OK supporting the project through its pilot phase, which is two years.

“But for me, a major problem that we have is our police department’s not up to full complement,” Ogden said. “We are taking action, but I want our police department up to full complement and I hope that we can do that as soon as possible.”

City of Saint John Banner_Alex Allan (1)

Saint John continues search for new CAO

Saint John is continuing its search for a new chief administrative officer as the city moves through a period of leadership transition.

Mayor Donna Noade Reardon said the demands of the CAO position have grown in recent years, noting that the pace of communication and the scope of city operations have made it a round‑the‑clock role.

“That job has changed over time,” she said. “You have social media, and you have email now, so it’s a 24/7 job today.”

Reardon said the city has brought in an external recruitment firm to support the search for a permanent replacement.

“We’re casting the net wide, and we’ll see what we come up with,” she said.

The position became vacant after former CAO Brent McGovern announced in October 2025 that he would be stepping down.

RELATED: Saint John CAO Brent McGovern to step down

The city is currently being led by interim CAO Kevin Fudge, who stepped into the role late last year.

Reardon said the next CAO will play a central role in managing day‑to‑day operations, supporting long‑term planning and guiding major projects already underway.

She added that updates on the recruitment process will be shared as the search progresses.

Mayor Donna Reardon_CSS media brief_Alex Allan_Acadia Broadcasting

Saint John Mayor highlights 2025 progress and future plans

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2025 brought several notable changes in Saint John, and Mayor Donna Noade Reardon says the city is preparing for another busy year.

Reardon said the city received about 439 building permit applications last year, which is close to the five‑year average.

However, she noted the value of those permits rose well above typical levels.

The five‑year average is roughly $78 million, while 2025 exceeded $250 million.

“You’re still getting the same number of permits, but the value has increased significantly,” she said.

Reardon said more than 1,000 new housing units are in the development pipeline, with 16 projects moving through the queue.

She also pointed to the city’s first roundabout, nearly 80 kilometres of road paving and the opening of two transitional housing “green zones” as key steps forward.

The green zones opened in August and November and offer 24‑hour support.

Reardon said hearing from residents using the spaces has shown the impact they can have.

“It’s interesting to hear the difference it can make for someone to have a space that’s theirs,” she said.

Infrastructure work continued across the city, including the redesign of Main Street, the Retail Drive realignment and upgrades to several streets and intersections.

Reardon described the Retail Drive project as a “big lift” that required coordination with all three levels of government.

On Main Street, she said the redesign aims to make the area safer for walking and cycling.

“The traffic just didn’t warrant six lanes,” she said.

“We all pay the same property taxes, so why shouldn’t walkers and cyclists have a little bit of space?”

Reardon said the city’s financial position has also improved.

She noted that Saint John now operates with long-term financial planning, reserve funds, and 10 financial policies that were not in place when she joined the council in 2012.

She said the city has reduced its debt enough to free up approximately $1.2 million in annual debt servicing costs.

Focus shifts to operations in 2026

Looking to the year ahead, Reardon said the city will place more attention on operations, including traffic calming, efficiency and service delivery.

She said Saint John’s size — more than 315 square kilometres with 600 kilometres of roads — makes that work important.

“We need to make sure our operations are efficient and effective,” she said. “Everything costs money, and we have to live within our budget.”

Reardon said the council will keep working on zoning changes related to the federal Housing Accelerator Fund.

They are also focused on supporting development through the city’s one-stop development shop and increasing density in the uptown area.

As for whether she will run again in the municipal election expected in mid‑May, Reardon said she has not yet made a decision.

She said the role is full‑time and requires a strong support system at home.

“I just need to decide what’s right for my family and me. I’ll make that decision soon,” she said.

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