By Mark Squibb
Witless Bay council approved a number of contracts during the October 8 public meeting.
Council ratified an e-mail vote held on September 20 to award the 2024-2025 snow clearing contract to O’Brien’s Trucking at a cost of $227,650, plus HST.
Councillor Gerard Dunne declared a conflict of interest as the company he works for bid on the tender. The rest of council voted numinously in favour of awarding the contract to O’Brien’s.
Later in the meeting, council approved the purchase of a spotting scope for the Lower Pond trail at a cost of $9,579, plus HST, and audio equipment at a cost of $1,578, plus HST.
Council also released the request for quotes for stormwater drainage upgrades along Southside Track and entered into a funding agreement with the provincial government for the purchase of two new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), 12 cylinders, and two masks, for the Witless Bay volunteer Fire Department on an 80/20 cost shared basis. The fire department’s portion of the cost is $14,594.
Premier Andrew Furey announced some $3 million in funding for more than 300 SCBA units this September, however failed to note that the funding would be contingent on cost-sharing agreements with communities.
