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As Judy McKinnon walks along Oromocto's Barker Street as part of her regular morning jaunt, something unpleasant captures her attention.

It's the terrible smell that's emanating from the town's aging sewage treatment plant - now in its third decade of operation.

"It stinks around here a lot of the time," said McKinnon.

The Ward 3 resident has identified it as an issue that needs to be dealt with as voters prepare to head to the polls Monday.

Councillors Mel Vance and Greg Doucet are being challenged in Ward 3 by Kelly Murdock.

In Ward 1, incumbents Dianne Buchanan and Allison Mockler are battling Jack Matheson, Lorraine Dawe and James Rankine.

In Ward 2, considered the town's military section, the lack of candidates means that two representatives will have to be appointed by Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.

Mayor Fay Tidd has been returned to office through acclamation.

Finding the $8.5 million needed to replace the sewage treatment plant in Ward 3 promises to be a challenge.

Deputy mayor Mel Vance, who has represented the area for the last four years, said a solution must be found if development in that area is to continue.

"We're hoping for support from both levels of government," Vance said.

An environmental assessment is underway and its findings will be used to determine the best way to deal with the issue.

Doucet also expressed a need for a new treatment plant, but said once funding is found and construction takes place, the town will be on the hook for any needed refurbishments.

"If we get a lot of infrastructure, we need a tax base to support it," Doucet said.

He said he has also heard a lot of concern from people with regard to high taxes, speeding throughout the subdivisions and the need for more crosswalks.

Other issues include a need for police in the town to make themselves better known, lack of sidewalks and public safety.

"There's a lot of kids doing stuff at night," said one woman, who would only identify herself as Tina for fear of repercussions. "Maybe there needs to be a curfew."

Vance was instrumental in launching a Neighbourhood Watch program in the ward earlier this year with an eye towards solving such concerns.

Murdock, who also supports a new treatment plant for the ward, has identified continued improvement in the areas of parks and recreation as concerns.

In Ward 1, which encompasses the older section of town, much concern has been expressed over the condition of Broad Road, heading south from the main gate of CFB Gagetown.

Businessman Todd Mulder said it needs to be a priority.

"It's a horrible road and it's hanging the people of Oromocto out to dry," Mulder said.

While Broad Road is a provincial responsibility, it's become a focal point during the campaign, with residents looking towards the town to take the lead in seeing that it's repaired.

The road needs to be fixed, said Mulder.

Buchanan said the road is so bad, it's giving the town a black eye. She said she hoped it would be first on the province's repair list for this year but no word has been forthcoming.

"It will have to be addressed," said the former deputy mayor, who has also identified playground development in the ward as another issue.

Dawe is also concerned, describing the highway as a major issue.

Dawe has also identified improvements to the waterfront, better monitoring of that area for illegal drug usage and expanding the town's recycle program to include bottles and cans as other matters that need to be addressed.

Mockler is concerned about deteriorating waterlines in the older part of town, taxation and the need for more street paving as issues. He also feels the town is being forgotten by the media.

That's a concern that's also been picked up on by Rankine.

If elected, he said he would establish a monthly newsletter for ward residents to keep them informed.

He would also like to see, among other things, a Neighbourhood Watch and more housing for seniors.

Matheson, a retired businessman and a longtime resident in the town, has also identified roads and streets as priorities, as well as better drainage and more low-rental housing for seniors.