Lincoln residents look to incorporate

Some residents in Lincoln are hoping that by turning their local service district into a village that they can have more power over local decisions.

Thesmall community between Fredericton and Oromocto is now a local service district, so residents don't receive certain services like snow removal and road maintenance.

Jim Arbeau, chair of an advisory committee for the Lincoln LSD, said many people hope that by incorporating their area, they can save money.

"Hopefully we're able to determine that there could be some lower costs and some service level improvements at a lower cost. If that's the case then it's something we could look at, said Arbeau.

Linda Power supports the community becoming a village so they can take control of services like garbage removal.

"It sounds like it would be an advantage and benefit and cost savings to us to have that done. Finances would change for our village," she said..

Without local governance it can be hard for residents inLSDs to receive adequate representation, said Arbeau.

He said anincorporated entity could provide better service to constituents.

"My granddaddy always said if everyone's going forward and you stay the same you're going behind," said Arbeau.

However, not everyone is keen to join to a village.

Wendy Hamelin, a resident of Lincoln, said she's worried that property taxes could increase if the area becomes a village.

"They're putting in more subdivisions and bigger homes. I've already seen that increase in tax, so is this going to lead to more of a tax increase? Then this is a concern for me," said Hamelin.

The New Brunswick government is encouraging many small communities to consider merging with nearby areas.