The town of Stoughton celebrated its 100th anniversary as a community in 2004. "It was a pretty good year," said Mayor Jerry Mamer recently. He expects this year to be quieter, in spite of the provincial centennial anniversary.

As part of the celebration in the summer, Stoughton hosted a celebrity dinner.

"We recognized people who have made a contribution on the national and international levels, like Harold Crossman, one of the key people in the creation of the Egg Marketing Board, the Richardson brothers, and Valerie Creighton of Mind's Eye," he said. "The lieutenant-governor was a guest."

The town also minted a special $2 coin that was accepted as legal tender through the year and to the end of January 2005.

During the year, the town conducted a lot of work on its water system, leaving it in really good shape, said Mamer. "We dug a new well to keep the very good supply up. We installed a new pump in the pumphouse."

The well cost roughly $8,000 to $10,000 while the pump and installation cost another $20,000. The town paid the entire bill. It also adds a chemical at an early stage that removes some of the hardness, requiring a small ongoing cost.

The town is in the process of negotiating a new contract for policing with the RCMP. No changes are planned in size or services, said Mamer. "We're just interested in getting a good agreement with them."

Town council also passed a dangerous dog bylaw last year that outlaws some breeds altogether. Existing dogs were grandfathered, with tough restrictions and no new ones allowed.

It's a pre-emptive measure, he said. There were one or two incidents with no one seriously hurt, but some people worried that the situation could escalate.

Like any community that relies heavily on farm income, Stoughton suffers during a poor year, he said. "People have less money to spend."

But one drawback for the entire farm community, the closing of the U.S. border, was turned into a gain for the town when a group of local farmers expanded their small slaughterhouse and retail sales outlet.

"They're getting some value-added on their investment and providing locally-grown beef at very good prices, he said. "It's been a good thing for us."

Within the next six weeks, town council will decide on construction of a new curling rink to be added on to the swimming pool and skating rink, said Mamer. The old rink would be demolished and the building constructed this summer, if the decision is made to go ahead.

The town's population of about 730 has been fairly stable for the past 15-20 years and some people are very passionate about needing a new rink, he said. A committee is meeting with an engineer and construction people to try to come up with some firmer costs before any decision is taken, said the mayor.