Sidewalk café projects stalled for this year

Local residents who have been anticipating more outdoor dining options in Sackville this summer are likely to be disappointed.
Despite town council's approval earlier this summer for two new sidewalk cafÉs to be installed on downtown Main Street, it seems the projects won't be going ahead this year.
This is a let-down for members of council, who say they moved the applications through swiftly so the business owners could go forward with their new cafÉs during the summer months.
"This council moved very quickly to accommodate their request and I'm disappointed they're not taking advantage of that," said Coun. Merrill Fullerton during council's regular meeting last Monday night.
According to council, the owners of the Olive Branch restaurant and Ducky's pub, which are located side-by-side, have been having difficulty booking a contractor at this time of year to construct the wooden walkways, deckways and handrails required for the cafÉ.
The Olive Branch request was approved in June, while the proposal for the Ducky's sidewalk cafÉ extension was approved during last month's council meeting.
Mayor Pat Estabrooks said Ducky's request only came to members of council two days prior to their July meeting and they approved the proposal, even despite several concerns that were voiced.
In both proposals, the owners have requested a similar format to the Bridge Street CafÉ, where table-and-chair sets are placed along the sidewalk while a temporary walkway is constructed to allow for pedestrian traffic to walk around the diners. Concrete barriers will surround the walkway.
In approving the requests over the past two months, councillors have stated that the cafÉs will be a great contribution to the friendly, bustling atmosphere of the downtown.
Coun. Margaret Tusz-King said the owners are probably just as frustrated as council they aren't able to move on these projects this year.
"I'm sure the businesses are as disappointed as we are."
It is expected the new sidewalk cafÉs will be in place for next year's tourism season.