Harbour Construction and O'Brien's Trucking to share emergency calls in Witless Bay

By Mark Squibb/September 16, 2022

If you can’t pick between two, just pick both.

That was the philosophy Witless Bay acted on this week when awarding a standing offer contract for the supply of goods and services in emergency situations.

The Town issued a limited call for bids back in May, seeking standing offer prices for services provided on an emergency basis, and received proposals from both Harbour Construction Ltd., and O’Brien’s Trucking Ltd., each of which, said councillor Ralph Carey, provided fair market prices based on the services being offered.

He therefore moved that the Town offer the contract to both contractors.

‘We need to get work done in emergency situations, so it’s important we get the motion made,” said Carey, reminding folks of the heavy rains and wind that battered the island over the weekend.

Council voted to approve that motion unanimously.

Councillor Gerard Dunne declared a conflict and did not vote on the matter, as he works for Harbour Construction. Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard was not present at the meeting, and thus did not vote on the matter.

Crosswalk installed along busy Bay Bulls main road

By Mark Squibb/September 16, 2022

Folks should find crossing Route 10 in Bay Bulls a little easier — and safer — now that a new crosswalk, complete with pedestrian operated flashing lights, has been installed at the intersection of Route 10 and Cemetery Lane West and East

The new system was installed last week, and was fully operational as of last Friday.

Back in June, council unanimously voted to hire Construction Signs Ltd., to supply and install the lights at a cost of 19,550 plus HST.

“I think this is a very dangerous intersection, and I really think the town needs some type of signage here,” said councillor Shannon O’Driscoll at the time.

Concerns over pedestrian safety along Route 10 have been a common theme with both this current council, and previous councils.

Bay Bulls receives federal funds for enviromental assets management

By Mark Squibb/September 2, 2022

The Town of Bay Bulls has accepted $50,000 in funding that the previous council had applied for — although the vote to accept the money was not unanimous.

Town CAO Jennifer Aspell, during the August public meeting, explained where the funding was coming from and how it would be used.

She noted the Town had completed an asset management program back in 2020.

“Basically, that’s an inventory of all of our infrastructure, buildings, or assets of any kind,” explained Aspell. “And the purpose of the asset management program is to allow for budgeting, planning, anticipating issues that might come up, say a failure in a road network or something as simple as when a culvert has reached its maximum life. We’re also having some issues with climate change and coastal erosion and storm water management issues.”

Back in the spring of 2021, said Aspell, the Town applied for funding through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to develop an eco asset management program, which would be tied closely to the town’s asset management but focus specifically on environmental concerns.

Now, the feds are willing to offer a $50,000 grant towards the development of the $65,000 plan, leaving the town on the hook for $15,000.

Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien allowed the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Councillor Jason Sullivan, however, reminded council that future funding may depend on having some sort of environmental asset management plan in place.

Aspell agreed.

“Projects that fall under the Green Infrastructure program, which receive the highest allocation of funding, 90/10, do require a climate change lens evaluation,” said Aspell. “It’s costing the town $15,000, because it’s an 80/20 split, but this data will be valuable for the next number of years.”

Mayor Keith O’Driscoll asked whether the $15,000 had been budgeted in the annual budget, and Aspell confirmed that it had indeed carried over from the 2021 budget. O’Driscoll said that in his opinion, the money would be worth it.

Deputy Mayor O’Brien then argued that costal erosion has been around since the ice age, and that the Town has had no trouble getting funding for infrastructure projects in the past. O’Brien stuck to his guns, voting against the motion to accept the funding. The other three members of council voted in favour of the motion.

Witless Bay mulling sale of commemorative benches

By Mark Squibb/August 26, 2022

During the August 9 public meeting, the Town of Witless Bay had a brief discussion about ways to commemorate people who have passed away.

Glenn Williams had requested that council name the trail that goes from the swimming pool area to the Upper Pond area after his brother Roger Williams who, tragically, drowned in the area a few weeks prior.

However, council was not fully onboard with the idea of naming trails, buildings, etcetera, after residents.

“It’s hard to name town infrastructure after someone as you don’t want to leave someone out,” Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard argued.

But she did float the idea of creating commemorative benches that residents can purchase in honour of their loved ones.

“One idea we thought about was putting out benches with a plaque commemorating that person,” said Yard.

In a follow up e-mail, Yard said the Town is working on getting specs for the benches, which would be installed on a concrete pad, and which could have a small memorial plaque attached to them.

“We intend to offer a program in 2023 where families can purchase a bench, have it installed and donate it to the Town in an area of significance to them in memory of a loved one,” Yard said. “That way there will be places for reflection around the town and everyone will have an equal opportunity to remember their loved one in a place that meant something to them.”

Councillor Ralph Carey added his own thoughts to the discussion and recommended a community clean up in Williams’ honour.

“I grew up with the resident that recently passed away and I know he was a great champion for cleaning up the area,” said Carey. “I think if we did have a bench, maybe once a year or twice a year we could have a memorial clean up. And we would want the family to become involved in any way they wish. And it would serve two purposes, it would remind us of our friend who recently passed away, and at the same time, do a good deed and clean up the area on a regular basis.”

WBFD gets approval for extension, uniforms

By Mark Squibb/August 19, 2022

Witless Bay council has approved $5,000 for an extension to the fire department’s smokehouse training facility.

The money will be put towards building a set of stairs to the two sea cans that make up the second floor to allow for installation of windows and doors upstairs.

“It will allow members to get practise on stairs in a zero-visibility situation and as well it will help them prepare for scenarios where there could be a fire in basements or apartments,” said Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard.

The work will mark the beginning of phase 2 of the smokehouse construction, and the $5,000 will come out of firefighting operating expenses.

Councillor Alex Troake noted that communities in the region pay into that operating budget.

Later in the meeting, council approved a request from the fire department for new uniforms.

“Right now, we have 14 new recruits, and they don’t have uniforms,” said Yard, who moved that council approved funding to purchase the uniforms as needed.

“As you know the fire department wear their uniforms at ceremonial events such as Remembrance Day and funerals, and official events such as the Fireman’s Ball, or if they were to go give a presentation at a school,” said Yard. “So, there is also a situation where some of the people that have been there a while, their uniform may be missing a piece, or it may not fit so well.”

Yard said the request was to provide uniforms to members who don’t yet have one, and those who need a new one. She noted the fire department has found a new uniform supplier, which she expected would save the Town some money.

Other uniforms may be purchased on a ‘need-to-buy’ basis.

Yard said the cost to get new uniforms for all members would be about $5,000.

Both motions were approved unanimously.

Puffin Patrol Program temporarily suspended

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is temporarily suspending the Puffin Patrol Program, based in Witless Bay, over concerns of bird flu.

“Due to the uncertainty of the Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), and for the safety of residents and volunteers, we have decided to temporarily suspend the program for the public this summer,” said CPAWS NL Conservation Director Suzanne Dooley in a news release. “We want to ensure the safety of all participants and local residents and until we know more details, we had to make this decision.”

CPAWS reminds folks that if you see a dead, injured, or sick bird, do not touch it, but instead, report it to the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

Residents are also asked to report sightings of puffin strandings to Puffin & Petrel Patrol NL.

Over the last decade, volunteers with the Puffin Patrol program have rescued over 4,000 stranded juvenile puffins. All birds rescued are assessed and banded by the Canadian Wildlife Services (CWS) and released back to sea.

Mullowney not running this time

By Mark Squibb/August 19, 2022

For the first time in over three decades, Harold Mullowney won’t be putting his name forward as a council candidate.

A call for nominations to Bay Bulls council has been scheduled for August 24, following the resignation of Mayor Neil O’Brien earlier this summer.

“No,” Mullowney said with a hearty chuckle when asked if he would be putting his name forward. “I’m enjoying my time. I was there for over 30 years, I enjoyed it while I was there, no problem. I said, if you recall, when they had the last election, ‘I hope they have the dedication and commitment to do the job that the people of Bay Bulls deserve.’ And I also said that they need to do nothing for the first year and a half or two years but execute the work that we have lined up.”

Mullowney spent 31 years on council, many of those as either deputy mayor or mayor. In the municipal election held last September, Mullowney earned 243 votes — 21 votes less than he needed to land a seat. Because council had earlier in the year sought ministerial approval to operate as a complement of five members, and not the traditional seven, only five members were elected, a decision that caused some controversary at the time.

Had a full slate of seven members been elected, Mullowney would have earned a seat. Instead, all incumbent members of council were voted out of office, and five new members were voted in.

For those thinking of putting their names forward, Mullowney offered some advice.

“I think anyone who runs for elected office has to realize that it’s a big job, and you’ve got to have your heart in it, you’ve got to be committed to the people, and you’ve got to be there for the right reasons,” said Mullowney. “And if you can’t do that, you have no business, really, putting your name forward.”

Aside from council, Mullowney also recently finished up a term as chairman of the Eastern Regional Services Board (ERSB), although he’s still involved in a number of organizations, including the East Coast Trail Association.

And although he’s sitting out this race, he didn’t shut the door completely on municipal politics.

“I’m enjoying my time free from council at this point in the game,” said Mullowney. “My wife is quite pleased that I’m stepping aside from a few things. But you know, who knows what the future will bring. You can always change your mind.”

Witless Bay defers hiring of Town Planner

The Town of Witless Bay has deferred the hiring of a new Town Planner.

Awarding the tender for the new planner was on the agenda for this week’s meeting, but councillor Ralph Carey motioned that council defer awarding the contract pending interviews, and councillor Gerard Dunne seconded the motion. Council voted unanimously in favour of the motion.

The Town issued the tender for a new town planner during a special meeting back in May.

In e-mails following that meeting, town staff explained that former town planner Paul Boundridge’s contract had expired in May, as per the agreed-upon terms.

Staff explained the Town is required to allow others who wish to submit a tender for the contract the opportunity to do so.

Although the awarding of the tender was deferred, council did appoint a number of current staff to Access to Information and Protection of Privacy positions.

The Town appointed Geraldine Caul as ATIPP Head, Katherine Doyle as ATIPP Coordinator, and Cassie O’Rielly as ATIPP Alternate Coordinator.

O'Driscoll acclaimed as mayor of Bay Bulls

Bay Bulls council has acclaimed councillor Keith O’Driscoll as its new mayor.

The election of mayor was the first item of business to be dealt with at this week’s meeting, following former mayor Neil O’Brien’s resignation from the position back in July. O’Brien left because his job has necessitated his relocation to the United States.

Councillor Jason Sullivan nominated O’Driscoll to serve as the new mayor. Councillor Shannon O’Driscoll, Keith’s wife, seconded it. No other names were put forward, and O’Driscoll was acclaimed mayor effective immediately.

“As the new mayor of Bay Bulls, I would first like to thank our deputy mayor, Jason O’Brien, for taking the reins for the last month,” said O’Driscoll. “I’d also like to thank our previous mayor, Neil O’Brien, for his time as mayor. I would like to wish him and his family the best.”

Had there been another candidate, council would have conducted a secret ballot.

O’Driscoll received the highest vote count in the 2021 fall election, and had been nominated for the position of mayor by Shannon O’Driscoll back in September, but lost out to O’Brien.

A nomination date to fill the vacant seat on council was set for August 24, with an election, if need be, on September 14.

Plan tabled to develop former Holyrood Pond Park near the Gaskiers

Plans to redevelop the long-shuttered former Provincial Park at Holyrood Pond into a park for RVs appears to be afoot again.

This week, the Department of Environment reported the registration of a proposal to construct a recreational vehicle park with a day park at Holyrood Pond in Gaskiers, which is located on Route 90, in St. Mary’s Bay. The proposed site is 23.5 hectares in size.

The deadline for public comments is August 26, 2022. Minister Bernard Davis’ decision on the application is due by September 4, 2022.

There have been a number of attempts since the closure of the park to reactivate the former campground or convert it to an RV park. Holyrood Pond is the largest inland body of water on the Avalon Peninsula. Holyrood Pond was among a number of provincial parks closed by the Liberal government in the 1990s as it dealt with a huge financial crunch in the wake of the cod moratorium and the fallout of heavy borrowing having been done by the government it replaced.

The people behind the latest proposal, Frank and Rennie Tobin, plan to rename the park, Serenity Shores at Holyrood Pond. It would contain more than 32 sites for RVs, motorhomes, trailers and caravans, as well as seven small cabins and 22 “glamping” tents. There will also be five outdoor portable bathrooms and a boat dock for canoes.

The development will be conducted over five phases in as many years, according to the document filed with the Environment Department. The proponents estimate the construction will employ two to 10 workers , and once open, employ anywhere from one to six workers depending on the amount of business during the tourist season.

Witless Bay awards tender for softball field

By Mark Squibb/July 29, 2022

It’s good news for softball players in Witless Bay.

Council has awarded a tender to O’Brien’s Trucking for $38,525, HST included, to start upgrades on the pitch.

Councillor Jacob Hayden said the improvements will bring the softball field up to standard.

The work is to be completed with federal funding. The Town received $120,000 from ACOA in February to “enhance outdoor space to improve accessibility and safety and increase recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.”

Upgrades are to include new playground equipment, ballfield renovations and trail system improvements.

Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and Gerard Dunne declared conflicts of interest and did not vote on the matter.

In other news, council is looking to move its dog park, pending a feasibility study on the cost of such a venture.

“We’ve had multiple requests since we’ve come into office about better access to our dog park,” said Hayden. “People have requested that we move it as well, into a better area.”

Hayden added that folks from neighbouring communities enjoy bringing their pooches to the park.

Councillor Alex Troake said if the cost is reasonable, the Town ought to look at relocating the park to the playground area, which is something, he added, residents have requested.

The motion to move the dog park, pending a feasibility study, passed unanimously.