By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove council is sending a letter of apology to at least one resident after staff cut back trees on private property.
Council was told at the Aug. 24 public meeting that staff were cutting back trees and cut some on private property without prior notification.
“It was disheartening to see what had occurred,” said chief administrative officer Mandy Dinn, noting that as a follow up staff have been given instructions to contact her in the future if they are cutting near private property, or if they are not sure if it’s private property. “I will contact the resident and ask if they would be willing to cut back their trees and, if not, would they be willing to allow the Town staff to do (it), just to get the go ahead before it’s done just to make sure everyone’s happy and satisfied and not get a surprise,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Irene Stack made a motion to send the resident an apology letter and take full accountability for the destruction of private property.
“It was done in error, but regardless, it’s not an excuse and we will learn from the error and do better,” Stack said.
Dinn told council there were two instances that she was aware of, though one of the residents wanted to remain anonymous.
