Mayor & Council

Serving the needs of residents, visitors and businesses since 1762

Andrew Black, Mayor (He/Him)

a.black@TantramarNB.com

Andrew Black was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia. His family moved to Alberta in the 70’s and made their way back east to Sackville in 1985.  After graduating from Mount Allison University in 1997, Andrew lived in the United States and Toronto with his now wife Kathy. They moved back to Sackville 16 years ago to start a family and are proud parents to three children (Phaedra, Roman and Margot). Mayor Black co-owned and operated local businesses Mr. Movie and Black Bowser Comics, worked as the Retail Manager for Jean Coutu Pharmacy, oversaw logistics work for Blugenics Innovations and is currently employed as a Supply Chain Analyst for Gordon Food Services. Mayor Black is also the President of UMNB, sits on the board for FCM, and is the Atlantic board representative for Climate Caucus Canada. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, hiking, cooking, and running.  Mayor Black is the first Mayor for the new entity of Tantramar and previously served as councillor and deputy mayor for the Town of Sackville.

 

Allison Butcher (She/Her) Ward 3 

a.butcher@TantramarNB.com

Allison Butcher was born and raised in Sackville.  As a young adult, she moved away and lived in Ottawa. She returned to Sackville in 1998 and married her husband Andy (who she has known since elementary school!). They are proud parents to two daughters (Norah and Erika).  Councillor Butcher is an Early Childhood Educator and received her diploma from the Nova Scotia Teacher’s College. She is currently employed as the Director of Sackville Playschool Inc., a designated early learning centre in Sackville.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time near the ocean in Cape Spear where her family owns property.  Councillor Butcher is a member of the first Council for the new entity of Tantramar and previously served as a councillor for the Town of Sackville.

 

Josh Goguen (He/Him) Ward 3

j.goguen@TantramarNB.com

Josh Goguen was born in Cocagne, New Brunswick and moved to Sackville in 2006 when he met his wife Sara Goguen. Together they have a son named Ben. Councillor Goguen currently works at Moneris where he’s been employed since 2007 in the Technology Operations Centre department. In this role, he monitors various systems in the company to ensure they’re working as expected. He holds a diploma from Oulton’s College in Network Administration and graduated from Mathieu-Martin high school. In his free time, Councillor Goguen volunteers with the 1st Tantramar Scouts Group leading two groups of Cubs (ages 8-11) and Scouts (ages 12-14). He also enjoys watching hockey, building things, and camping. Councillor Goguen is a member of the first Council for the new entity of Tantramar.

 

 

Matt Estabrooks (He/Him) Ward 4

m.estabrooks@TantramarNB.com

Matt Estabrooks is a lifelong Tantramar resident. He and his wife Chrissy are proud parents to three children (Alexa, Sophia, and Matthew Blair). Councillor Estabrooks is a Red Seal Carpenter and a Red Seal Motorcycle Mechanic; he also holds a Certificate in Adult Education from the University of New Brunswick.  His employment history includes working as a Carpentry Instructor with NBCC Moncton and he is currently employed as the Senior Manager of Building Maintenance, Heating Plant Operations and Fleet at Mount Allison University. Councillor Estabrooks has always been very active as a volunteer in the community, participating with Breakfast Clubs of Canada, Sackville Minor Hockey, Sackville Minor Baseball and with the Sackville Golf Club.  Hobbies include staying active by coaching and refereeing hockey in the winter as well as coaching and playing baseball and golf in the summer. Councillor Estabrooks is a member of the first Council for the new entity of Tantramar and previously served as a councillor for the Town of Sackville.

 

Barry Hicks (He/Him) Ward 2

b.hicks@TantramarNB.com

Barry Hicks is a life-long resident of Tantramar.  He was born and raised in British Settlement, where he has lived for all of his 65 years.  He has deep roots here, as well as a genuine passion for not only protecting our heritage, but also helping to carve a sustainable future for Tantramar.  Barry is married to Rhonda and together they have four children, six grandchildren, and a sassy little chihuahua named Ellie.  In 2017, Barry retired from the Town of Sackville where he worked for 40 plus years in the Public Works Department.  He was a heavy equipment operator for 20 years and then joined the management team as the Superintendent of Public Works for the remainder of his career.  In his free time, Barry enjoys riding his motorcycle, driving his side-by-side, and hunting.  When not enjoying these activities he can be found at their cottage in Slacks Cove or at their hunting camp, depending on the time of year. Councillor Hicks is a member of the first Council for the new entity of Tantramar.

 

 

Greg Martin, Deputy Mayor (He/Him) Ward 5

g.martin@TantramarNB.com

Greg Martin was born and raised in Aulac, New Brunswick on Green Hill Road. He met his wife Denise 51 years ago at the Enterprise Foundry in Sackville and is the proud dad of Kim Martin.  As a young man, he joined the Canadian Forces, serving three years in the Canadian Army and 22 years in the Militia. He has served as past president of the Port Elgin Rotary club, lay leader of the Anglican Parish of Westmorland, was a former member of Point Du Bute LSD, and is the current Chairperson of Dorchester Penitentiary Citizens Advisory Committee.  Greg and Denise have fostered children in their home for over 40 years. In his spare time, he enjoys camping, playing darts, and watching the Montreal Canadians play hockey. Councillor Martin is a member of the first Council for the new entity of Tantramar.

 

 

Bruce Phinney Ward 3

b.phinney@TantramarNB.com

Bruce I. Phinney was born in Sackville, New Brunswick. As a child in a military family, he lived in Nova Scotia and Germany for 3 years before landing back in New Brunswick in 1962 in Oromocto, where he spent most of his younger life growing up with his two younger sisters. Councillor Phinney then returned to Sackville in 1977, where he started his lifelong career (42.5 years) with Mount Allison University in Facilities Management.  Councillor Phinney has a Marketing Diploma from NBCC and he is currently on his 4th year at Mount Allison University, working towards his Commerce Degree. For the past 7 years he has been an active member of the Middle Sackville Baptist Church. He sat on Sackville’s Town Council since first being elected in 2004. Councillor Phinney’s pastimes include road tripping around the Maritimes, watching Sidney Crosby play hockey, and talking to people.  Councillor Phinney is a member of the first Council for the new entity of Tantramar and previously served as a councillor for the Town of Sackville.

 

Michael Tower (He/Him) Ward 3

m.tower@TantramarNB.com

Mike Tower is a lifelong resident of Sackville. He is a proud father to two children and grandfather to four young grandchildren.  Councillor Tower recently retired from NB Liquor, where he worked for 47 years as Manager for the local store.  In his spare time, he and his wife Lynn enjoy visiting with family and friends, taking road trips and daily walks with their young lovable dog Rory. Mike also enjoys friendly rounds of golf, puttering around the yard, and sitting out on the back deck with a single malt and cigar.  Councillor Tower is a member of the first Council for the new entity of Tantramar and previously served as a councillor for the Town of Sackville.

 

 

Debbie Wiggins-Colwell (She/Her) Ward 1

d.wiggins-colwell@TantramarNB.com

Debbie Wiggins-Colwell was born in Sackville, NB and moved to Dorchester, NB in 1972 where she raised a family of three.  Debbie owned and operated two businesses in Dorchester between 1972 to 2018, up until her retirement in 2018.  In the early 1980’s, Debbie was a pioneer in autism awareness and served on several boards advocating for persons living with autism.  Debbie completed a Tour of Duty in Afghanistan in 2009 in her role as a combat barber.  In 2019, Debbie was the recipient of the Molly Kool Award recognizing her outstanding contributions to the community, volunteerism for the Village of Dorchester and her role as co-founder of the Greater Dorchester Moving Forward Cooperative.  Councillor Wiggins-Colwell is an outdoor enthusiast and can often be found enjoying the many trails in Southeastern, NB.  She is passionate about gardening, outdoor winter/summer camping, snowshoeing, and spending time with family and friends.  Councillor Wiggins-Colwell is a member of the first Council for the new entity of Tantramar and previously served as Mayor (and the first female Mayor) for the Village of Dorchester.

 

 

If you would like to speak with the Mayor or a Town Councillor, you can contact Town Hall at (506) 364-4930. Town Hall is located at 31C Main Street, 2nd Floor and is open to the public from Mon-Fri, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.