Council apologizes for trees cut on private property

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.

Council rescinds approvals for homes on Motion Bay Road Extension

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove council has rescinded approval on three different housing applications and asked staff to take action regarding future development on Motion Bay Road Extension.

Chief administrative officer Mandy Dinn noted council had been deliberating for several months about how to move forward with the applications, which received approval in principle earlier this year.

Legal advice called into question the nature of Motion Bay Road Extension as a municipal road and, because of that, council was advised it had erred in issuing the approvals.

“It is (the lawyer’s) recommendation, from what we’ve done … we really shouldn’t have done it,” said Mayor Ed Dyke.

Deputy Mayor Irene Stack, in reading the motion to rescind the approvals, described Motion Bay Road Extension as a narrow gravel thoroughfare that doesn’t provide for two-way traffic, adding it was not built by the Town for the purpose of being used as a municipal street and was never maintained by the Town as a municipal street.

Since council doesn’t regard it as a municipal street, the gravel portion has not been brought up to a reasonable accepted standard, and the Town does not intend to spend the money to bring it up to that standard, the approvals in principle for the three properties were provided in error and in contravention of the development regulations.

“I’d like the Town to get us to a point where that is an applicable road within the community and that it can have development and everything done like any other road in the community, but I don’t think it would be responsible to ignore professional guidance the Town has received,” said Deputy Mayor Stack. “This has been one of the harder decisions that I’ve had to debate on council. I’ve even tried to write a couple things that I tried to spiel out for this evening and it just didn’t work because it’s been a very hard back and forth because what I personally want to see happen in the town and what is responsible for the Town to just go ahead and do is not always going to coincide with one another.”

Several of the conditions attached to the approvals in principle required signed legal agreements related to the road’s width, condition and standard, as well as an acknowledgement of no Town commitment to any future upgrades and limitations on maintenance and snow removal, among other caveats.

The financial ramifications of any municipal responsibility for Motion Bay Road Extension upgrades, maintenance and replacement costs, among other things, were all unknown, said councillor Kayla Parsons in a pre-written statement she read at council.

“These are not minor details, these are details that need to be understood before council can make a decision that could create long-term obligations,” Parsons said. “At the same time, we must recognize the position of the property owners. They have invested time and effort into this process, and they have been awaiting direction from council. Their desire to develop their property is understandable and council should continue to look for a reasonable and fair solution. The goal should not be to prevent development, the goal should be to determine how development can occur in a way that was reasonable, transparent and sustainable.”

Council decided by a 4-3 vote to rescind the approvals in principle – originally granted at the April 6 public meeting – for numbers 30, 41-45 and 51-59 Motion Bay Road Extension. Mayor Dyke, Deputy Mayor Stack and councillors Nancy Bungay and Richard Raymond voted in favour of rescinding the approvals, while councillors Parsons, Sam Stack and Todd Chafe voted against.

It’s the latest chapter written between the municipality and Motion Bay Road Extension landowners in a process that dates back to 2018 when council amended the Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove Town Plan and Development Regulations, removing restrictions for development on Motion Bay Road Extension.

Deputy Mayor Stack called that change the first step in allowing council to consider housing development – and landowners have since already cleared lots on Motion Bay Road Extension in anticipation of building homes – but she said council at the time missed other steps to ensure the area was development ready.

“We need to make sure that it’s done properly so that property owners can build without worry, they can choose what they want to do with their property and actually be accessible within our town,” said Stack, who apologized to the property owners and later made a series of motions to start the process of addressing next steps.

“What we are attempting to do now should have been done in 2018 and 2019 when that amendment was done, in my opinion,” she said. “The amendment should have been done, then they should have taken steps to determine what does it need to be a road.”

Stack made a motion to direct staff to conduct title searches in the area, particularly where the gravel road intersects Cribbies Lane, to confirm whether there are any private ownership conflicts or if the Town has full title.

“That’s just one legal aspect we’ve got to put out of the way first before we can proceed anymore,” said Mayor Dyke.

That motion passed unanimously.

Stack then made a motion to seek quotes for an engineering assessment of what’s needed to turn the gravel portion of Motion Bay Road Extension into a one-way street.

That motion also passed unanimously.

Stack next moved that the Town develop a road standards policy, something Dyke said was rescinded as part of the changes made to plans and regulations in 2018.

That motion too passed unanimously.

Witless Bay council says art gallery not part of the zoning

Linda Goodyear has grand plans to turn the old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Witless Bay into a focal point for the arts – she just needs to find a solution to the property’s municipal zoning to let those plans come to fruition.

Goodyear bought the church last year after a lengthy sale process through the archdiocese and has incorporated as a non-profit called The Witless Bay Art Gallery and Arts Education Centre. 

“I want it to be a showcase to promote the artisans of the Irish Loop, along with some artists from across the province, maybe some international, but certainly, primarily, the Irish Loop,” Goodyear said, adding there are around 90 artists within the Loop with no central or focal point to sell their wares.

But Goodyear’s vision will require more time and possibly money as council won’t let her open the gallery contending the zoning in the area, which includes a school and the former Nun’s residence located next door to the Church, which fell into private ownership some years ago, doesn’t allow for the operation of a business.

Goodyear’s request to submit an application to operate a business was denied at the August 11 public council meeting.

Goodyear was hoping for a zoning exception for the property as Witless Bay council redraws its municipal plan.

Neighbouring Bay Bulls has completed its municipal plan and is approving applications based on zoning within that plan, even though it is still awaiting provincial approval before being registered.

Mayor Jacob Hayden said Witless Bay isn’t at a point in the municipal plan process where it can make those same decisions. The Town still has work to do, including more public consultations and a meeting with a commissioner, before the plan can come back to council for approval and submission to the Province.

“It’s a process,” said Hayden, adding it could take up to two years to complete. “It is something that needs to be done, and done correctly, and it’s just going to take the amount of time it’s going to take, unfortunately.”

Another option discussed in the past and brought up again at council was Goodyear formally applying to have the zoning changed, a process that would cost her some $4,000.

“You can still apply to rezone it and bypass the waiting process, but it is an expensive cost,” allowed Deputy Mayor Justina Nawaz. “But you can’t operate a business on public use property.”

Goodyear said she believes nobody on council is against what she is trying to do, as they appear supportive, it’s just a matter of finding a solution. She recently spoke to an official at provincial Municipal Affairs, and they discussed some ideas to work within the current zoning.

“I’m registered as a nonprofit and their thought was that with the intended use that it could potentially fit into the public use (designation),” said Goodyear, adding she will bring a new proposal to council. “I’m always looking for the cooperation of council.”

Goodyear said time is on her side for now, as her vision will centre heavily around tourist season. If she ultimately has to go the route of a formal rezoning application, she will time the process to align with an opening for next summer.

Beavers display patriotism

With the beaver being one of Canada’s national symbols, it’s only fitting that the water loving rodents of this domicile in Grassy Pond on the Southern Shore highway display their patriotism. The flag is a familiar sight to drivers on the serpentine stretch of road between Tors Cove and La Manche. Craig Westcott photo

Busy Witless Bay side street to get a sprucing up

By local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

The Town of Witless Bay took its next step in a $1.07 million project to address longstanding drainage, runoff and road condition concerns along Dunn’s Lane.

Council acknowledged at its August 11 public meeting approval of the project through a partnership with the federal and provincial governments.

Council also confirmed its $107,000 contribution towards the work, with the remaining $963,001 coming from the senior governments.

“The Town originally submitted the project through the (provincial) Municipal Capital Works program in November 2024. That application was not approved during the 2025 intake,” said CAO Neil Stamp, adding the Town then revised and resubmitted its proposal.

The Town received approval on August 4.

The project includes new curb and gutter from the Southern Shore Highway to just beyond the Southside Road intersection, road grading and drainage improvements farther along Dunn's Lane to direct runoff toward the existing ditching, new storm infrastructure to manage the flow from the ditching to convey water away from low-lying properties, and subsurface and asphalt renewal, excluding a small section at the end where the pavement remains in good condition.

It was not confirmed whether the municipal portion had already been budgeted for if it was to be earmarked in next year’s budget.

Mayor Jacob Hayden said that beyond responding to longstanding drainage, erosion and runoff concerns, Dunn’s Lane is also a collector street serving an important residential growth area, including Emerald Estates and its 120 developed lots and another 41 lots being contemplated.

“The project was supported by preliminary engineering work and was sufficiently developed to be submitted when funding opportunities became available,” he said. “It aligned with the funding criteria because it combines stormwater management, climate resilience, protection of existing properties and infrastructure, and support for future housing development.”

Stamp said the immediate next steps are to complete and return the acceptance documents required by the Department within 45 days of the approval. Following that, the Town will work with the Department and its engineering consultant on the remaining design, review and procurement requirements.

“A construction start date has not yet been established and will depend on completion of those steps and the tendering process,” Stamp said.

Councillors Gerard Dunne and Ralph Carey both excused themselves at the beginning of the discussion so that council could determine whether they were in a conflict of interest due to the fact they both reside on Dunn’s Lane.

Council decided that both Dunne and Carey were not in a conflict of interest on the matter because neither of them had anything more to gain than other residents of Dunn’s Lane.

“And this is just to acknowledge the notification of the project approval,” added Deputy Mayor Justina Nawaz.

The motion passed unanimously.

Council says it’s not responsible for Petty Harbour resident’s water woes

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove council dealt with a number of letters of concern from residents at its August 10 public meeting, including one regarding a July water break on private property on the Motion Bay Road Extension.

The letter writer lives at 9 Motion Bay Road Extension and, in addition to the letter of concern, requested to have a related water shutoff fee waived. The homeowner was made aware by a neighbour of water seeping onto the property but did not realize at that time the water was coming from a leak in the water line.

The resident reported the Town council was contacted Monday, July 20 about the issue and the Town foreman was also called, though he was reportedly off at the time.

“This, to me, was a serious situation and one that should have been addressed right away or at least investigated the same day,” stated the letter, read into the record by CAO Mandy Dinn.

The Town employee did not show up until Wednesday, according to the resident, and a contractor was not contacted until Thursday.

“I had no idea I was supposed to hire someone to do this work, however, I did know that any work done on my property I was responsible to pay for,” wrote the resident, adding it was unclear how to proceed once it was determined the leak was coming from her property’s water line. “All I heard was that it was your problem and you have to pay for the work. I was given no guidance from council whatsoever on how to proceed with the issue. If council had responded in a timely manner to this complaint the work most likely would have been completed during the week and not the weekend.”

The resident stated she didn’t want to wait until Monday, July 27 to get the work done but also didn’t want to subject the neighbour to additional water damage to their property. She argued it is the Town’s responsibility to counsel property owners in such matters and that it made no sense to leave action on the matter to the resident. She also suggested that, in the future, it would make more sense for council to hire the contractor to fix the leak and then bill the resident.

Mayor Ed Dyke responded that the dates mentioned in the letter were incorrect and that he and an employee visited the owner on Tuesday and advised the water leak was on her property. They visited the homeowner again the following afternoon, he added, and advised the owner to call contractors, noting it is not the Town’s responsibility to do so.

“The reason it is not our responsibility is because if the contractor goes in and makes a mess of the thing or does something the homeowner says is not up to their liking, then it’s the Town that (is held responsible),” Dyke said, adding that from the shutoff out to the road it is the Town’s responsibility.

Dyke said he got a call from the Town employee on the Thursday saying the resident wasn’t going to get it done on the weekend because she didn’t want to pay the resulting water shutoff fee.

Dinn said the $150 shutoff fee covers part of the cost of salary, overtime and equipment use when an employee has to be called in on a Saturday.

“Sometimes that $150 doesn’t even cover the cost of sending somebody to shut off the water,” Dinn said, pointing out there is no charge on weekdays for water shutoffs because employees are already on the clock.

Deputy Mayor Irene Stack said she sympathized with the resident feeling that she was not properly informed about how to proceed, though she didn’t doubt the mayor’s recollection of events.

Stack agreed with Dyke that the Town cannot take on the liability of hiring contractors for work that is the responsibility of residents. However, she expressed hope the Town can improve the way it advises residents of their responsibilities.

Council decided against waiving the emergency shutoff fee.

New Witless Bay CAO got municipal start in Logy Bay

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

Neil Stamp got the first public meeting under his belt on August 11 as the new chief administrative officer for the Town of Witless Bay, where he was formally appointed by council in a unanimous vote.

When contacted last week for an interview about his new role, Stamp said he wouldn’t be available until he returned to the office on August 27.

Stamp was previously the Town Manager and Chief Administrative Officer in the Town of Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove. Meeting minutes there show he was officially appointed by that council as a maternity replacement on July 7, 2025.

According to his profile on the social media site LinkedIn, prior to his move to municipal management, Stamp held the role of customer success manager with the American stock exchange NASDAQ in St. John’s, and as fleet sales manager at Terra Nova GMC Buick in St. John’s.

Stamp holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing, from Memorial University and is a graduate with French Immersion Distinction from O’Donel High School. He is a husband and father of three boys – ages eight, five and three.

“I’m eager to get started, listen and learn, and grow alongside the Town,” Stamp wrote in a post on the Town’s website.

Stamp replaces Jennifer Aspell, who left in May to become chief executive officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association.

Council had been awaiting the appointment of its new CAO in order to move ahead with some matters that had been put on hold until the position was filled, including a new 10-year municipal plan and a proposal for project management services to increase Witless Bay’s tourism presence.

Mayor Jacob Hayden told The Irish Loop Post he is pleased with what Stamp brings to the organization.

“He has a strong understanding of municipal operations and has brought a positive energy while having a professional, practical approach to the role,” Hayden said. “I think his experience, leadership, and willingness to work with council and staff will be a real asset to the Town of Witless Bay.”