Regionalization report has some constituents worried, says Ferryland MHA

By Patrick Newhook/February 24, 2022

Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll says he is getting calls from people who fear they may be financially impacted if the province moves ahead with regionalization.

The province released a report on February 2 that looked at regionalization as a way for towns and Local Service Districts (LSDs) to better cope with increasing operating costs in the face of a declining population.

Some people living in unincorporated areas and LSDs fear the report could lead to their areas being swallowed into the boundaries of nearby towns meaning they would have to pay property taxes.

There is nothing in the report that actually calls for that, though the idea has been touted by academics, pundits and some mayors for years.

“We have people calling me that are not in favour (of regionalization),” said O’Driscoll. “Right now they’re not in favour, they just don’t see how it fits in there with their economic times right now… I don’t know how, without getting into some of the specifics of what they (the provincial government) are trying to do, how this is going to help some of these communities. What are the advantages for these communities?”

Ferryland district has LSDs in Mobile, Tors Cove and Calvert, and close on half a dozen other unincorporated communities.

The report found that across the province, “Approximately 6.5 per cent of the population live in one of the 172 LSD’s. LSDs are unincorporated entities, administered by elected committees. LSDs may, but are not required to, provide a limited number of services to residents. LSDs cannot levy taxes, and are limited to cost recovery on a fee for service basis.”

Municipal Affairs Minister Krista Lynn Howell said that the report’s authors “did give recommendations that LSDs are functional and have the ability to provide adequate services but have the potential to incorporate.”

O’Driscoll said he is unsure how regionalization would affect a largely rural region, such as much of Ferryland District.

“There’s a lot to look at and how, basically, is it going to affect all the areas?” said the PC member. “What is it going to mean to them? That’s what we’ve got to find out… Right now we don’t have any answers to any questions.”

The report also discussed the need for regionalization given the population trend in most of Newfoundland. According to Statistics Canada’s 2021 census, Newfoundland has experienced a population decline.

“Community viability, from a taxation and economic development basis, is at significant risk in the province due to several factors,” the report indicated. “Financial demands are increasing, particularly in rural regions, due to things like increasing infrastructure deficits, out-migration, reduced population density and aging populations. It is essential that the province have mechanisms in place to support changing demographics.”

The report also looks at the impact aging populations will have on a community’s ability to run and operate local government structures, pointing to regionalization and regional governments as a way to ensure representation. 

O’Driscoll wasn’t able to say if this could benefit the communities in his district. “That’s a question I can’t answer,” he admitted. “But if they’re going to try and implement something like this we need to know the details of what they’re trying to do. So can it help? It may help, but I think we don’t know the details and that’s what we need to get in order to answer the questions we are going to ask them. Where does this go, what’s changing for these people, what benefit is it to these people? That’s some of the basic questions.”  

O’Driscoll said the rising cost of living is already a big concern and he is wondering if regionalization will add further costs for some residents.

“How is it going to make it better for these residents? What is regionalization going to do for these residents to make it better?” said O’Driscoll. “That’s the questions that need to be asked. And what causes the problem? They’re the two most important things. What are they going to get that’s going to make their lives better to be regionalized? Those are the questions that need to be asked and they’re tough questions, but we need to have answers on them.”

Witless Bay rejects Bay Bulls' call to help with Lifestyle Centre repairs

By Mark Squibb/February 17, 2022

Witless Bay council has denied a request for funding from the Town of Bay Bulls to help with repairs to the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre.

“I can elaborate further, but for the sake of making a motion, I move the town deny the request for funding for the Regional Lifestyle Centre,” said councilor Alex Troake.

The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and passed unanimously during the February 8 council meeting.

Councilor Nancy Burke was not in favour of denying the request outright.

“It’s a regional facility and I think it’s worth discussing further with the organization to perhaps discuss what it is they’re looking for and how much they are looking for us to contribute and for how long,” said Burke. “I think that we would need more information from them. Perhaps an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) would be something that would be appropriate, rather than outright deny the request.”

Troake made clear he was against that idea.

“We had an impromptu meeting with the Town of Bay Bulls in the fall, and at that time they did mention it, and at the time I believe the figure was between $30,000 and $40,000,” said Troake. “Our request, like everything else we handle, was for them to send a formal request to the town office for our consideration. Now, unfortunately, that request was not sent until after the 2022 budget was approved. So, again, it’s a balanced budget, and to enter into an MOU now would mean cuts from other areas. So, it is something that we can discuss moving forward.”

He added the Bay Bulls Bauline Athletic Association (BBBAA) MOU will expire this year, and that the coming year might be the right time to reconsider how the town funds regional recreation.

“Probably we can look at the bigger picture of recreation assets in general, and have one MOU to cover everything, because, the thing is, the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre is regional, but it’s not regional in the sense that there’s an MOU whereby regional partners contribute anything at this point,” said Troake. “If you want to get into that, how does the Puffin Centre fit into that? How do other regional assets fit into that?”

Councillor Jacob Hayden indicated he could see both sides.

“I agree with both Nancy and Alex, actually,” said Hayden. “I do agree that we should support it, but at the same time, we had requested, when we met with the Town of Bay Bulls, that they, like Alex said, issue a formal request to the town, requesting an actual number of funds and such, before we finalized our budget, and that wasn’t done. So, like Alex said, its very hard to pull the money from other aspects that have been budgeted in the town. But, at the same time, I do support the regionalization of the entire area, so maybe that’s something that we can look at and hopefully put into the works for the future budgets that we issue.”

BBBAA hopeful Witless Bay will agree to funding boost

By Mark Squibb/February 17, 2022

Bay Bulls to Bauline Athletic Association (BBBAA) chairman Scott Penny says he is hopeful the Town of Witless Bay will approve a request for more funds, which council deferred last week.

 “Council seems very open to working with us,” said Penny. “They understand the value and importance of the BBBAA.”

Penny explained that for the past decade the BBBAA has had a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in place with both Witless Bay and Bay Bulls wherein each town contributes $37,500 per year. The MOU is set to expire next year. The funding covers staff salaries and operating costs, such as cell phone bills and office expenses.

Each year, the BBBAA also hosts an auction dinner and dance, through which they raise between $75,000 and $80,000. Those funds are rolled into regional programing and infrastructure.

“Obviously with COVID, we haven’t been able to do that,” said Penny. “So, last year we went to both towns and asked for additional support because we didn’t have as many registered kids in our programs because of COVID and restrictions. So, we weren’t generating enough of our own revenue. Both towns gave an additional $12,500. This year, we went back with the same request. Bay Bulls have accommodated us, and Witless Bay, from what I understand at this point, have agreed to the $37,500, but we’re still in discussions on the balance of the $12,500.”

Extra staff and additional cleaning measures have caused costs to increase, he noted.

Witless Bay councilor Alex Troake raised the issue during the February 8 public meeting.

“I don’t know if it’s best to defer or deny, but essentially, the plan is to have the new town manager and the BBBAA work together to identify how best to move forward,” said Troake. “It’s probably best to defer, so it stays on the books later… And the situation that’s prompting the BBBAA to request additional funding this year is that in 2020, for funding in 2021, the town was able to get government money because of COVID, and bumped it from $37,000 to $50,000. And they are requesting that we do that again. The issue is that we don’t have that COVID funding this year, and to match a $50,000 ask, we would have to cut $13,000 from our balanced budget somewhere else. So, as much as we all support recreation, it’s not as simple as approving the request. We have to have a serious discussion moving forward.”

Councilor Nancy Burke, who during the initial budget presentation in back in January said she was disappointed that council was not providing the full $50,000 the BBBAA had requested as they are still unable to fundraise, said she had “a lot to say on the issue,” but that she would wait until the motion was put forward.

Council unanimously voted to defer, although there was no further discussion on the matter.

The Irish Loop Post reached out to councillor Burke later, who said that as council had voted to defer the motion, she could not comment. She did, however, pledge her support for the BBBAA.

“I will say that I am a big supporter of the BBBAA and their efforts, which is why I am thrilled to be council's rep on their board,” wrote Burke in an e-mail. “I think that they provide a service that has never been more essential than it is today. As we move toward making our way out of a global pandemic that has kept people isolated in their homes, forced to stay away from family and friends, unable to participate 'normally' in many of the activities that they love and enjoy, recreation has never been more important. Recreational activities will play a significant role in helping people to recover both physically and mentally from the social and emotional side effects of Covid-19. This makes the BBBAA important, and I think it is important for Witless Bay Town Council support them, which we do. One of the main reasons that I ran for council was to make more varied activities available to our youth. Movement has started in those efforts, and I am hoping and planning to partner with the BBBAA to get things off the ground. I am very much looking forward to the collaboration between Witless Bay Town Council and the BBBAA.”

Penny, meanwhile said he understands the rationale provided by council and appreciates that balancing a budget is hard work, but still believes council ought to approve the increase.

“It’s not easy to do the budget,” said Penny. “Some things have to be cut… I totally understand the pressures. For us, we’ve worked very closely with the town of Witless Bay, we were heavily invovled and contributed over $35,000 to their pool upgrade and we’ve committed another $20,000 to the next phase of that upgrade. So, again I get their rationale. At the end of the day council is going to make a decision that is in the best interest of their community.”

He argued further that he felt that the BBBAA, with its after school and day camp offerings, was critical in attracting young families.

“At the end of the day, when a young family is trying to decide where to reside and build a home, and set roots for their families, they need supports,” said Penny. “They’re looking for small town communities that have big city amenities. Now, we have a beautiful Regional Lifestyle Centre where we are able to operate our summer camp program which peaks at 65 to 75 kids, and we do an afterschool program. So, when a young family sees that, they say, ‘Hmm, that community is checking the boxes’… You can pave all the roads you want, but if you don’t attract and grow your residential base, you’re not going to grow your tax base, other than increasing your taxes on residents.”

Penny was not surprised that the request was not approved outright. He said BBBAA representatives had met with council in December, and that council had at the time said that they may not be able to approve the increase.

“They said at that time that they had to prioritise in their budget, and that there were no guarantees,” said Penny. “Disappointed, yes, but again, at the end of the day, they were upfront with us that there were some challenges that they were trying to figure out.”

Regardless, he said he’s looking forward to meeting with the town in the coming weeks to hash out an arrangement.

“Is it all going to be hugs and kisses? Probably not,” he said. “There’s going to be a discussion on something that is very critical to the region and you’re up against a community that is trying to figure out roadwork and infrastructure upgrades and washouts with the changing of the weather.”

Should the funding request not be approved, Penny said, it could result in higher registration fee at the BBBAA.

“We would have to look at possibly raising rates,” said Penny. ‘It’s not somewhere we want to go, because to us that’s just another form of taxation.”

Town of Bay Bulls CAO Jennifer Aspell confirmed that Bay Bulls has, like last year, approved a contribution of $50,000 for 2022, an increase of $12,500 from the agreed upon $37,500.

Penny said both towns have been fabulous partners over the years.

Witless Bay welcomes new Fire Chief and Town Manager

By Mark Squibb/February 17, 2022

The Town of Witless Bay has appointed a new town manager and a new fire chief – again.

If that sounds like déjà vu, it’s because the town did just that in September and May last year respectively.

In September, the Town hired Kevin Kelley to replace outgoing CAO Pat Curran. Kelley tendered his resignation by early October. Likewise, in May the town hired Maria Churchill as the town’s first paid fire chief. Churchill resigned that October. Former assistant clerk Barbara Harrigan had also resigned earlier that summer, and town clerk Geraldine Caul was on a leave of absence. The situation left the town hall without staff for several months.

Harrigan returned temporarily to assist the transition of the seven new council members in September. Last week’s meeting was slated to be her last, and council members thanked her for her help.

During that same meeting, council unanimously appointed Shawn Kavanagh as the new town manager and acting town clerk.

“Myself, along with the mayor and deputy mayor led the recruitment process, which I’m glad to say that we saved the town thousands of dollars that would previously have been paid to a consultant,” said councilor Alex Troake. “We received some very good applications. Ultimately we interviewed four candidates, and Shawn was definitely the best fit. He’s familiar with Witless Bay and has roots here. He spent a lot of time at his grandparents’ home on Fisherman’s Road.”

Kavanagh is a lawyer and is the chairman of Calvert’s Local Service District.

Council also unanimously voted to appoint Jack Gatherall as the new fire chief.

“The Town of Witless Bay and the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department are delighted to welcome Jack Gatherall to the position of Fire Chief,” said Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard. “Jack has been a dedicated volunteer since 2015 and is very familiar with how the Department functions at all levels.”

Gatherall was recognized as the department’s Firefighter of the Year in 2019, and was also the department’s training officer. Yard didn’t say if the chief will be paid. A request for clarification from the Town Hall wasn’t returned.

“Myself and Alex worked with the fire department to lead the hiring committee, thus saving thousands in consultant fees,” said Yard. “And one thing that was really important to us all was to recognise and appreciate the deep commitment of both current and former volunteers in the department, and we felt that if it was at all possible, we would like to promote from within, and recognise that commitment, and fortunately in Jack we found an excellent candidate for fire chief. He knows the department, he knows the area, he knows our strengths and weaknesses, and without doubt, he has shown unwavering dedication to furthering the goals of the department for years to come.”

Stella Maris getting WWF grant for pollinator

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2022

Stella Maris Academy in Trepassey is on the receiving end of a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Canada Go Wild School grant valued at $1,000.

The school will be use the money to create a pollinator garden on the school grounds in the spring.

“The purpose of the pollinator garden is to create a space that will attract lots of living things, like butterflies, bees, birds, insects — things that will pollinate flowers,” said Instructional Resources Teacher Lauren Gregory. “We’re trying to include native flowers as much as possible.”

The school had initially applied for $500, but the WWF doubled thee request. The school also received a $750 grant from the provincial government last year for a school vegetable garden.

Gregory said the grants work in tandem to encourage outdoor learning.

“We’re in the process of building an outdoor classroom and setting up a space so we can get the kids outdoors a lot more, instead of being in the building,” explained Gregory. “It’s nice to encourage the kids to be outside, because a lot of kids spend so much time indoors, we want to get them out as much as possible… Right now there’s not a lot of plants around the school… So, we’re trying to make a more inviting outdoor space.”

Gregory hopes work on the garden will begin this spring, once the weather clears up.

Radio silence being maintained at Witless Bay town hall

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2022

If you had dialed into the Witless Bay special meeting Friday night, January 28, you would have found yourself waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

After 15 or 20 minutes of listening to conference call muzak, you might have checked the town’s website for an update. Not seeing anything posted there, you may have headed over to facebook — if you have an account — where you would have seen a post made less then five minutes before the scheduled meeting was supposed to start saying it had been rescheduled to Sunday night.

On the agenda were two new items: an application to ACOA for cost shared funding under the Canada Community Revitalization Fund and an amendment to the 2022 Town of Witless Bay Tax Structure, Rates, and Fees.

The Irish Loop Post was not in attendance for Sunday night’s meeting, but contacted the town hall Monday morning, January 31, to see what the motions entailed, and if they had been passed. No response was received and no response was made after the Town Hall was contacted twice again later in the week. The Irish Loop Post also contacted Mayor Trevor Croft about the motions and was told that office personnel should have the information.

As of deadline Tuesday, February 8, no response has been received from the Town Hall.

The story behind Horse Chops Road

By Patrick Newhook/February 10, 2022

Filled with history and beautiful scenery, the town of Cape Broyle drapes like a rugged stole on the rocky and tree covered shoulders of an eye-captivating harbour on what early colonists once dubbed the English Shore.

With a population of 489, the town’s residents are proud of their history.

One of them, Andrea O’Brien, also happens to be the Municipal Outreach Officer for Heritage NL, so knowing her history is important to her.

Like many communities on the Southern Shore, Cape Broyle has some unique names. Take Horse Chops Road. Located near the entrance of town, Horse Chops Road is a long a winding track, with Horse Chops Pond lying on side of it and smaller Pidgeon House Pond located further in.

O’Brien says the origin of Horse Chops as a name for the pond and the road supposedly comes from a rock found on it.

“The story I heard about Horse Chops Road, at the very end of Horse Chops Road where the power station is, there’s a big rock up there with kind of a split in it and the rock looks like the rear end of a horse, which would be the chops of an animal,” says O’Brien.

Another unique local name is Fairy Pond Road. Located in the center of town, Fairy Pond Road connects the Main Road to Lower Road. O’Brien is aware of two stories as to how it got its name.

“There’s no actual pond in Fairy Pond,” she said. “The pond next to Fairy Pond is actually School House Pond. The story that I heard growing up was that sometimes when there’s a lot of rain, there is a little section in Fairy Pond where the water gathers and then disappear, of course, when the ground dries out. And the name Fairy Pond came from this kind of appearing and disappearing pond, and I guess who would do that kind of thing, the fairies would.”

The other explanation is similar.

“Another story I heard was from someone who lived in Fairy Pond, and she said when she was young, her father told her that the fairies would play down by the beach,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien says some area names have changed over the years, making it hard to know what the original meaning was supposed to be.

“There’s a place called Kisha, and some people pronounce it Kishu...and that’s where people had gardens years ago for growing hay and growing vegetables and I’ve asked Irish speakers that I know and they think it might be related to a kind of really skinny pieces of wood that were used years ago to make fences, to make water fences, but no one knows (for sure),” says O’Brien. “That was named when people arrived here and no one really remembers what the name is. There’s places on our landscape that we really don’t know what they mean anymore, but they really speak to our heritage of Irish people immigrating here in the late 1800s.”