FREDERICTON – People living in a New Brunswick town are gearing up to take legal action against a well-known potato chip manufacturer, claiming it’s disrupted their community with noise, odors, and increased traffic.
FREDERICTON – People living in a New Brunswick town are gearing up to take legal action against a well-known potato chip manufacturer, claiming it’s disrupted their community with noise, odors, and increased traffic.
A group of 17 residents stated in a release on Wednesday from their lawyer, Basile Chiasson, that the factory that opened last September has created “significant and ongoing disruption” to their homes and overall quality of life.
This complaint comes less than a year after Covered Bridge Potato Chips Ltd. launched its new facility in Woodstock, N. B., following a fire that destroyed its original plant in nearby Waterville.
Chiasson explained that each resident submitted an application to move forward with their case to the Farm Practices Review Board. This board oversees farming practices and must be notified before anyone can legally challenge a company in this field.
Robert Harrison, one of the residents involved, mentioned in his statement that they aim to stop what he calls “excessive industrial intrusion” into established neighborhoods.
“The Covered Bridge Potato Chip Ltd. plant is simply in the wrong place,” said Harrison.
Chiasson pointed out that residents originally thought the company’s new location would be temporary. However, it has since become a permanent part of the Woodstock Industrial Park, which is located next to residential areas.
He added that it will be up to the review board to decide if they have jurisdiction over this case or if it needs to go before the Court of King’s Bench.
Covered Bridge Potato Chips Ltd. did not reply to requests for comments on Wednesday.
Woodstock-area MLA Bill Hogan stated he met with locals last year and was optimistic about finding a solution among homeowners, the chip company, and the town.
“It’s unfortunate that they weren’t able to work out a compromise so that they didn’t have to take this route,” he told The Canadian Press on Wednesday.
The Progressive Conservative MLA noted he doesn’t expect Covered Bridges will move away from Woodstock no matter what happens.
“There’s quite an investment there, so I don’t see that as being realistic,” he said while adding there will be “hard feelings” either way.
In recent months, residents formed an advocacy group named “Our Town, Our Voice” and presented many of their concerns at Woodstock’s town council seeking solutions.
For instance, they argued that the chip factory’s operations were too large for an area designated for light manufacturing within the town. However, during a council meeting last November, Allan Walker, the town’s chief administrator stated that Covered Bridge meets the International Energy Agency’s definition of light manufacturing.
Residents also raised issues regarding Covered Bridge cutting down trees within a five-metre buffer zone surrounding the facility according to an executive summary by Walker from last year. The city mandates commercial properties adjacent to residential zones have tree buffers or fences.
Walker noted in an April 28 memo that Covered Bridge is “arranging fencing and landscaping” for its buffer zone along its property line.
A few individuals residing near the chip facility complained about noise and odors; these concerns were forwarded to New Brunswick’s environment department according to an executive staffer’s notes.
A review of noise emissions was nearing completion as per Walker’s memo which indicated planned enhancements should “significantly reduce” sounds from the factory operations.
Attempts made on Wednesday by The Canadian Press staff members trying to reach some residents mentioned in statements provided by their lawyer were unsuccessful.
The town granted Covered Bridge an expansion building permit back in 2025 and amended zoning bylaws last August allowing food processing at its site.
The chip manufacturer employs around 50 people at its Woodstock location and pays roughly $15,500 combined municipal and provincial property taxes according to city records from October 2025.
The Town of Woodstock commented on Wednesday saying it “cannot make a comment on any matter currently before the court.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first May 6 , 2026.
Eli Ridder , The Canadian Press
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