By Mark Squibb
Ferryland Mayor Aiden Costello says water and sewer infrastructure maintenance kept council busy in 2024.
Costello said a new water treatment plant commissioned in 2022 required additional maintenance, and on top of that, there were several leaky water lines that needed to be addressed throughout the year.
Some of the underground lines, said the mayor, are 30 and 40 years old.
“We’re only a small town with a small budget, and so when you’re dealing with $100,000 in water issues, it takes a lot out of you,” said Costello.
The mayor said the Town has been in ‘planning mode’ and working with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to develop plans for a dock. Council has also completed a flood hazard mapping project and begun preliminary work on securing funding for a new fire hall.
Council has also been working on plans for future use of the historic courthouse building.
“We’re still in the planning stages yet, but we’re hoping that within the next year we may be able to move ahead and make some changes to the building and have a tenant take over the building and make it an attraction for the town,” said Costello.
The mayor said the annual Fall Fair was once again a success, and the Town is looking forward to hosting the event again in 2025
Looking ahead to this year, Costello said council will spend a fair chunk of change on improving the town’s water system.
He said the Town is also working with Climate Atlantic to develop a long-term climate change preparedness plan. Costello said it should take about two years to complete, and when in place, Ferryland will be better able to acquire provincial and federal funds.
Costello said council is also working closely with the town’s major tourism operators to better develop Ferryland’s tourism industry.
