Part 2: Housing Progress, Election Signs, and Service Contracts – 03/24/2026

After the main updates and presentations, council shifted into discussion and decision mode. This is where individual voices came through more clearly, especially on housing, election rules, and everyday service decisions.

© PEC Council (YouTube)

View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.

Affordable Housing: Support with Growing Pressure

The housing discussion sparked some of the most direct comments of the night. Councillor Chris Braney (Hillier) openly raised concerns about public confidence, pointing out that residents are starting to question the results after several years without completed units. His comments reflected what many in the community have been saying.

Councillor Phil St.-Jean (Picton) responded by reinforcing that progress is finally visible. He confirmed that units at Disraeli Street are expected this year and explained that getting something built is key to unlocking future funding.

Councillor Brad Nieman (Bloomfield/Hallowell) added that the first project is about building momentum. Once there is a completed asset, it becomes easier to secure grants and partnerships moving forward.

Councillor Sam Grosso (Ameliasburgh) backed the board’s efforts, saying the group has been re-energized and is now moving from planning into action. His comments focused on confidence in the current team and the work happening behind the scenes.

There was no formal vote tied to the housing presentation itself, but council voted to receive the report, with full support around the table.

Election Sign Rules: A Clear Divide at the Table

The most defined split of the night came during the discussion on election sign rules.

The proposal aimed to restrict when candidates could start putting up signs. That idea quickly drew mixed reactions.

Councillor St-Jean pushed to keep things open, arguing that once candidates file nomination papers, they should be allowed to campaign fully, including putting up signs.

Councillor Braney supported that position, warning that restricting timelines could benefit incumbents and create an uneven playing field.

Councillor Roy Pennell (Ameliasburgh)  also backed fewer restrictions, framing it as a democratic issue and emphasizing the importance of giving all candidates visibility.

On the other side, Councillor McNaughton supported having a defined window for signage. She pointed out that candidates with fewer financial resources may need time to fundraise before entering the race, and a set timeline could help level things out.

Mayor Steve Ferguson supported the restriction, but from a different angle. He framed it as a way to reduce visual clutter and support local businesses, especially in a challenging economic climate.

When the vote was called, the amendment was defeated in a recorded vote of 10 to 3. St-Jean, McNaughton, and Ferguson voted in favour, while the rest of council voted against.

Contracts and Services: Mostly Straightforward Decisions

For the rest of the agenda, council moved through several operational items, though a few councillors raised local concerns. On the grass cutting contracts, Councillor Hirsch explained that the updated process includes better mapping and clearer expectations for contractors. This is meant to address past complaints about missed areas.

Councillor St-Jean raised a specific issue about a park area that has not been consistently maintained and asked staff to review both the contract coverage and potential safety concerns related to debris.

The contracts were approved without opposition.

On road line painting, Councillor Maynard asked about the possibility of adding new crosswalks in certain areas, particularly near schools. Staff explained that new crosswalks would require further study and likely be considered in a future budget cycle.

Councillor Pennell raised concerns about visibility on certain roads and questioned whether current paint standards are effective in low visibility conditions. Staff noted that provincial standards limit what can be changed but agreed that a broader review of where paint is applied could be considered.

This contract was also approved unanimously.

For the land ambulance agreement, there was little disagreement. Councillor Maynard spoke in support of the long-standing partnership with Hastings County, while also noting the need to keep an eye on service gaps in certain parts of the County. The agreement passed with full support.

What This Means for the Locals

For residents, the biggest takeaway is that housing is finally moving from planning into visible results. The first units expected later this year will be a test of whether this approach can scale into something larger. It also shows that the County is still heavily dependent on outside funding, which will continue to shape how fast new housing can be built.

The election sign decision means future candidates will have more flexibility in how and when they campaign. For voters, that likely means seeing signs earlier and for longer periods leading up to an election. It may also make it easier for new candidates to build name recognition.

On the service side, most of the decisions will show up in small but noticeable ways. More consistent grass cutting, clearer road markings, and stable ambulance services all affect day-to-day life, even if they do not always get much attention during meetings.

Overall, this part of the meeting showed where council is aligned and where it is still working through differences. Housing remains the biggest long-term issue, while smaller operational decisions continue to shape how the County functions on a daily basis.

---

Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 3:53:11. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.