Big changes at Witless Bay Town Hall

By Mark Squibb/August 26, 2021

There are some turnovers of key administrative players inside the Witless Bay town hall.

Earlier this spring, council announced that Assistant Clerk Administrator Barbara Harrigan would be retiring.

During last week’s meeting, council voted to fill that vacancy, written in the agenda as Financial and Administration Assistant.

Town chief administrative officer Pat Curran explained he had recommended one candidate be appointed but the town could not agree to terms with the candidate, so Curran recommended an alternative.

“I’m not sure I’m in a position to name that person for confidentiality reasons, but there is a tentative start for that position for Monday, August 30,” said Curran.

Council voted unanimously to hire the candidate for the position.

Council also had to vote on negotiating conditions for candidates for the position of CAO, as Curran will no longer continue in that duty as of this week.

“Council will recall that I’m transitioning out,” said Curran at the meeting, noting his contract had actually ended the previous Friday, but he will continue to act in the role in the interim.

Curran did have concerns about whether he would have proper signing authority, as his contract had officially ended.

“I don’t know that you would have to do anything by way of a signing authority, but it might be worth clarifying or asking the Department (of Municipal Affairs),” he advised. “Because I’m in a position where I wouldn’t feel comfortable signing documents or signing cheques on behalf of the town.”

It was agreed that the Town would discuss the matter of Curran’s signing authority with Municipal Affairs

Councillor Fraser Paul suggested council discuss the motion following the public meeting’s adjournment. There was no objection to this suggestion.

Finally, council had to vote to appoint a returning officer for the municipal election, as Geraldine Caul, Town Clerk Administrator, Commissioner for Oaths, ATIPP Coordinator, and, in election years, returning officer, is currently on leave.

Curran recommended Cathy Armstrong as an alternative returning officer, which council voted unanimously in favor of.

Businesses struggling, but help is available, says CBDC Celtic head

By Staff/August 26, 2021

The new chairperson of the Celtic Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) says, in part due to COVID-19, now is a good time to see what the community-based lender has to offer.

“We assist with anyone who is looking to start a business, or grow a business,” said Nicole Bruce. “Through this pandemic there are probably a lot of people who received a lay off slip, and they don’t know where to go from here. There are opportunities for them to look into starting their own business.”

Current businesses have had to think on their feet just to stay afloat due to the pandemic restrictions.

“A lot of businesses are struggling, “said Bruce. “Anything with social interaction was put on halt. So, businesses needed assistance keeping up their bills and keeping staff employed. Pivoting and evolving mostly. A lot of businesses have had to turn on a dime, and figure out, ‘What can I do now, if I’m a restaurant and I can’t have walk-ins, how do I accommodate my staff, and how can I accommodate my clients?’”

In a world where ‘Zoom calls’ have become a household term, video chats have become one tool in the toolbox to help businesses manage the pandemic.

“I can meet with a client from any part of the world, at any time, and that’s also possible for youth, it’s possible for people who are retired and looking for a side business,” said Bruce.

The CBDC helps business in a variety of ways, from providing loans to advice to networking to training sessions on topics ranging from marketing to bookkeeping.

Youth Ventures, the wing of the organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging young entrepreneurs, is still active despite the pandemic, with the awards ceremony being held virtually last week.

“There are so many young, talented people in all of our regions,” noted Bruce.

The Bay Bulls resident was elected as chairperson in the last year, and had been on the board about three years prior to that.

“In a previous life, I used to work with NLOWE (Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs),” said Bruce. “I love business, and I love talking about business… When I left NLOWE, and I started up my own business again (Bullseye Branding), I really enjoyed the entrepreneurial side of things. And one day I got the CBDC newsletter in the mail, and I noticed they were looking for extra board members. So, I put my name in the game.”

This year also marks the thirtieth anniversary of the CBDC Celtic, which serves 32 communities along the Southern Shore and St. Mary’s Bay, from Goulds to Riverhead.

Bay Bulls extends snow clearing contract

By Staff/August 19, 2021

The Town of Bay Bulls has extended its snow clearing and ice control contract with Southeast Construction Limited for another winter season.

Deputy Mayor Wendy O'Driscoll made the motion to extend the contract during Monday's regular monthly meeting of council.

"It's that time of year again," said Mayor Harold Mullowney, introducing the agenda item.

"It (snow) is a dirty word," joked O'Driscoll.

"It's coming, we can't stop it," said Mullowney.

Turning serious, O'Driscoll noted that for the Town's purposes, snow clearing season officially begins on November 1 this year and ends on April 30, 2022. “The terms of the agreement are to remain the same including the pricing," she added, though the actual rate was not cited during the meeting or in the public agenda.

O’Driscoll’s motion carried unanimously.

Crown Land applications approved in Bay Bulls

By Staff/August 19, 2021

All but one of the six development applications on the agenda for the August meeting of Bay Bulls council met with unanimous approval Monday night.

The only application that was rejected involved a request for Crown Land on Cemetery Lane West for a subdivision.

Deputy Mayor Wendy O'Driscoll moved to deny the application based on a report the Town had received identifying the area in question as a potential watershed area. There were also "life safety issues" involved with the application regarding the access to the land, O'Driscoll added. Her final objection was that the subdivision would require use of Lower Path Road, "which is not up to the Town standards," said O'Driscoll."

Her motion to reject the Crown Land referral passed unanimously, with the exception of councillor Joan Luby, who was not in attendance at the meeting.

The other applications, including one for an extension to a home at 850 Southern Shore Highway, Crown Land referrals for single family homes at Station Road and Gunridge Road, and for a variance and a residential accessory building at 9 Dunn Drive passed unanimously. However, the Town did impose several conditions on the accessory building. "No part of the building is to be built within 15 metres of the highwater mark of the river," said O'Driscoll. "And a road damage deposit of $10 per load as per the Town of Bay Bulls 2021 Tax and Fee Structure is to be paid for the backfill excavation to take place." 

The Town imposed similar conditions on an application for a residential accessory building at 36 Dunn Drive, including a road damage deposit of $10 per load for any backfill and excavation needed. "And no work is to be conducted on any adjacent properties especially with regard to the backfilling of the area," said O'Driscoll.

Riverhead and Tors Cove projects undergo environmental review

By Mark Squibb/August 12 2021

Two projects along the Southern Shore are currently undergoing a provincial government-ordered environmental review.

In St. Mary’s Bay, Pennecon has proposed to develop a 9-hectare laydown area, quarry, and commercial wharf near Graven Bank in the Town of Riverhead. That development would also include the upgrading of an existing trail into a 500-metre access road to the quarry, and the construction of a 700-metre access road from the quarry to the wharf to allow the load out of aggregate stones onto vessels.

Meanwhile, in Tors Cove, Ár n-oileán Resources Ltd. is proposing to renovate the former fish plant into a seal oil processing plant. The plant will make omega-3 oil and produce nutraceuticals, medicines containing high concentrates of a particular substance, such as omega-3 oil, thought to be beneficial.

Both undertakings were registered on July 14, and the deadline for public comment is August 20. The Minster of Environment and Climate Change Bernard Davis will make a decision on whether to release the projects from further environmental assessment by August 28.

Mirror, mirror on the pole...

By Craig Westcott/August 12 2021

Pennecon Limited has been given approval to install a convex mirror at the lower exit of its industrial site on the North Side of Bay Bulls harbour.

In introducing the motion to approve the application at Monday's public council meeting, councillor Eric Maloney noted the town will not be held liable for any damages, costs, or legal actions resulting from the installation.

Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Aspell explained the purpose of the mirror is to provide an additional safety measure for traffic exiting the area. 

"This will be our first installation of a convex mirror within the town," said Mayor Harold Mullowney. "They are quite commonly in use in many other areas, especially in Ireland. They are very useful where you have blind turns and entrances. They can easily enhance the visibility and safety. I found myself in areas where I have encountered them in the past that they are excellent at night because they catch the light of oncoming vehicles that you wouldn't (otherwise) see until they come around sharp corners. So, I think it is a great idea."

Mayor encourages municipal newcomers

By Craig Westcott/August 12 2021

Bay Bulls Mayor Harold Mullowney used the closing minutes of the second last public council meeting of this term to encourage anyone listening to consider offering themselves for public office this fall.

"We're into that season again when elections are upon us," said Mullowney, who is one of the longest serving municipal leaders in Canada. "If there is anyone out there in the public who is giving this some thought, it would be a good time to think of stepping up. I know we've tried a number of times to fill some vacant seats without success. But again, if there is anyone interested, Nomination Day is fast approaching."

Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Aspell noted the call for nominations will be well publicized and that Nomination Day itself extends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 31.

"So hopefully a lot of people will mark that date," said the mayor, "and will give it some thought."