Bay Bulls re-jigs building permit fee

By Mark Squibb | Mar. 25, 2021

Those wishing to build in the Town of Bay Bulls ought to know of a new change to the permit fee.

During the March 8 council meeting, council adopted a revised budget and tax structure effective March 8.

The mil rate will remain the same, and business and utility and property taxes will remain the same too. Town Manager Jennifer Aspell noted during the meeting, the major changes had to do with application fees for projects.

“So, in the past we did not charge application fees,” said Aspell. “We will be charging an application fee and a permit fee that will total what previously used to be the permit fee. For example, if you were applying to construct a new residential home, there was no application fee, but the cost of the permit was $150. Now, there will be a $75 application fee, and a $75 permit fee. So, it will be the same total cost, but we are splitting it. There is no change to the mil rate, or minimum business tax, or residential property rate or anything like that.”

Mayor Harold Mullowney told the Irish Loop Post the price split was more of a housekeeping item than anything else.

There was also a change in the overall expenditures and revenue in the town’s new budget.

The Town had budgeted expenditures at $2,680,732 and revenue at $2,733,497 in the original budget, but under the new revision, expenditures sit at $2,728,232 while revenues sit at $2,796,360.

That’s $47,500 in additional expenditures and $62,863 in revenue.

No explanation was given during the meeting for the budget changes, and in response to a follow up e-mail, Aspell said the adoption of the revised budget was “a housekeeping item with the changes that were made to the tax structure.”

Meanwhile, Mullowney said the revised budget had nothing to due with the change to permit fees.

“This would have had nothing to do with that motion,” said the mayor, noting the revised budget was adopted before the application fee motion.

“Nothing has changed, it’s just a matter of splitting the fee and how you pay it… the actual amount hasn’t changed, just how you pay it: it’s two installments instead of one.”

Mullowney said the budget revision was due to some minor changes and tweaking.

Trepassey boys 'Running Home' for a good cause

By Luke Barry | Mar. 18, 2021

On April 12, 1980, after dipping his right leg in the Atlantic Ocean, Winnipeg’s Terry Fox set out on his iconic Marathon of Hope.

 In the early morning hours of September 22, 2021, Trepassey natives Charles Luther and Melvin Sutton will begin a journey of similar spirit dubbed Runnin’ Home, their own version of bipedal cancer fundraising.

 And while much has changed in four decades, the prevalence of cancer in society remains.

Nearly one in two Canadians are expected to receive a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime, according to a report on projected cancer rates published in March 2020 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

 To raise awareness and funds, the duo from up the shore plan to run 147 kilometres from Mile One Centre in St. John’s to Stella Maris Academy in Trepassey.

 The real kicker is they plan to complete it in two or three days.

 “I always wanted to do something, and I’m getting older and noticing more people being affected by cancer, my family members, my friends, I just felt the need,” Luther said. “I’ve got to go out and get it (done) while I can.”

 Training diligently since April 2020, the 38-year-old has been knocking out between 100 and 120 kilometres per week, which sometimes sees him running twice a day.

 After hearing word of Luther’s idea, Sutton admits he didn’t want the opportunity to pass him by.

 “Over the years I’d run the Tely Ten, but I’d only run in the spring and summer months and that was kind of enough,” Sutton said. “I’d do weight training in the winter, but I’d do no cardio, so this kind of put me in a spot where it’s time to get a treadmill and time to run all year round if I’m going to actually do this because you got to be ready for it right?

 “My father-in-law died of lung cancer, and you know what, there’s a list of that. Everywhere you turn it’s there you know? It’s obviously a great cause and it drives you a bit more.”

 The route will see the men ascend and descend more than 1,200m while running an ultramarathon each day along the Irish Loop.

 “In Canada, there’s been an estimated 225,800 new cancer cases last year in 2020,” Elizabeth Holmes, Senior Manager of Policy and Surveillance at the Canadian Cancer Society, said. “In Newfoundland and Labrador, we estimate that at about 3,800 new cancer cases and 1,600 cancer deaths in 2020.”

 The donations Luther and Sutton are raising will go to Daffodil Place, a 24-room facility operated by the Canadian Cancer Society-NL Division for cancer patients and caregivers who must travel to St. John’s for cancer related appointments.

 “Together we are bigger than cancer and the Canadian Cancer Society is here for you,” Holmes said. “If you have been diagnosed with cancer, if you know somebody who has, if you just have questions about your cancer risk, then you can give us a call on our cancer information healthline at 1-888-939-3333 and one of our information specialists can help you with navigating the information and understanding information that’s been provided to you.”

 Email options and a chat function are available on www.cancer.ca in addition to an online community found at www.cancerconnection.ca, a website designed to provide people, caregivers and survivors with support during their cancer journey.

 Young Adult Cancer Canada (www.yacc.ca) is a national organization started by Geoff Eaton in St. John’s specifically geared towards providing young adults with inspiration, information and support.

 Efforts that advance the research, prevention, screening and treatment of cancer are vital to addressing its burden in Canada.

 Online donations in support of Runnin’ Home can be made via the page Luther set up through the Canadian Cancer Society. It’s located at https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/IFE_NL_Event/IFE_NL_General_?px=13410714&pg=personal&fr_id=27158.

Bay Bulls okays Phase II design for Long Pond trail

By Mark Squibb | Mar. 11, 2021

Bay Bulls is one step closer to finalizing the Long Pond walking trail.

During a special meeting of council held on February 24, council granted approval for Phase II, which will see the trail extended around the full perimeter of the pond.

Much of the monies for the project come courtesy of the province through the COVID-19 Stimulus Program. Phase II is valued at $144,229, and of that cost, the town only has to contribute $14,422, which is 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, Phase I of the project is being cost shared by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments under a Municipal Capital Works program, with each government paying a third of the cost, which works out to $143,702 each for a total of $475,444 (less HST).

Work on the design began in 2020, and the trail, which will be a combination of compacted granular and boardwalk with a focus on accessibility, is expected to be completed and ready for use by July or August this year.

'The one we depended on'

By Mark Squibb | Mar. 11, 2021

The Southern Shore and the hockey world at large are reflecting on Kenny William’s legacy following his passing last week.

Williams got his start playing pond hockey in his hometown of Bay Bulls, but would grow to become so influential and involved in hockey on a local, provincial, and even national level that the name ‘Kenny Williams’ would become synonymous with hockey along the Shore.

In 1986, Williams was a member of a small group lobbying for the construction of a badly needed Southern Shore arena.

“Getting a stadium here on the shore was no small feat,” said Loyola Hearn, another foundational figure in Southern Shore hockey history. “We had a tremendous hockey league, and we used to play in St. John’s all the time, at Feildian Gardens, and we would block the Garden every Sunday night. Every yellow school bus that was on the shore, and cars besides, were at Feildian Gardens.”

Still, said Hearn, there were challenges, largely tied to the Shore’s sparse population.

“We just had enough in each community to make up a team,” said Hearn. “For example, we never had a full roster in Renews; usually we had two lines, and maybe an extra defenseman. If we made up three lines occasionally with a few juniors we were lucky. And most communities were like that, because the population was so small. So, then to go after a stadium in an area, where as I say, the population is so small, was no small feat at all. And Kenny and others were the driving force. You can’t just go into an area, especially a small area, and build a stadium, and you can’t just go get the money, unless you have organization on the ground and people who are willing to do a tremendous amount of work. And one of those people certainly right from the start, was Kenny Williams.”

When the arena was constructed in 1987, Williams was hired on as the stadium manager.

Today, that stadium he fought so hard to see built and which he managed for decades bears his name, being rechristened the Ken Williams Southern Shore Arena in 2019.

“He was one of the fellows who was there for the right reason,” said Hearn. “We always say that people take on a job because it’s a job. But not with Kenny… I would say for 15 years or more that I was on the local hockey scene, coaching and on the executive, and although that period, Kenny was there. He was the one we depended on. He wasn’t just a stadium manager — he was Kenny. And whether you were 8 or 80 you depended on Kenny. He was there to make sure everything went well. Whether it was a simple minor hockey practise or a Breakers championship game, one of the fellows who would be there making sure that everything was ready was Kenny Williams. He had a total dedication to the job.”

There was no league that Williams did not play a fundamental role in. He was elected as the founding President of the Southern Shore Minor Hockey Association and served as an HNL provincial coordinator for 24 years. In 1993 he was fundamental in organizing the Avalon West Senior Hockey League and served as its first president. Williams also served as a Director of the Southern Shore Breakers Senior Club, Treasurer for the Avalon East League and President of the Southern Shore Amateur Hockey Association, and even more besides. He was a Branch Representative on Hockey Canada and chaired the Hockey Canada meetings in St. John’s.

Ferryland PC candidate Loyoala O’Driscoll, played senior hockey with the Breakers during the nineties and was on ice for a number of championship wins, released a statement reflecting on the passing of Williams.

“Without Kenny, the Southern Shore Breakers wouldn’t be five-time Herder champions and the point of pride for the community they are today,” said O’ Driscoll. “His dedication to the community and to sports cannot be overstated or replaced.”

Williams was inducted into the NL Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 and received national recognition in 2017 when he was awarded the Hockey Canada Meritorious Award.

Williams is remembered mostly for his dedication to and involvement in the hockey community, but he was also involved in government at a municipal level. Williams was a member of the first Bay Bulls council following incorporation in 1986 (the same year Williams was fighting to see a stadium constructed on the Shore.)

“An ex-councillor, he was an individual who was synonymous with the Southern Shore Arena and hockey in the area for many years,” said Bay Bulls Mayor Harold Mullowney during his town’s March 8 council meeting. “He put an awful lot of time into recreation and volunteer activities in this town. Ken will be sorely missed. He contributed tremendously to both council and the community at large.”

Witless Bay councillor sets sites on ATV riders, speeders, litter

By Mark Squibb | Feb. 18, 2021

Witless Bay council is looking to curb problems around town by launching a new project, the Peaceful Community Enjoyment Initiative. Witless Bay council looks to curb community troubles

“The council asked myself and the CAO to prepare terms of reference, and we’ve also prepared a discussion paper of potential implications and considerations,” said councillor Colleen Hanrahan during the February 9 meeting of council.

Some of the problems council hopes to tackle include irresponsible ATV use, excessive speeding, littering, and vandalism.

Hanrahan explained the plan is to hold a meeting this month to discuss the scope of the project and what can be done to address the issues, and that a full report will likely be presented at the next council meeting.

Discussions were originally slated to have taken place at the February 9 meeting, but were deferred until that additional, private meeting takes place.

Sullivan video captures Shore's love of hockey

By Chris Lewis | Jan. 28, 2021

Some members of the Southern Shore’s hockey community recently got together in the name of music and sport.

Jackie Sullivan is a Calvert native whose music career has expanded greatly over the last decade or so, starting with her debut album in 2002, Out of the Rain which earned her Music NL’s Female Artist of the Year prize and the CBC Galaxie Rising Star award. Since then, she has been keeping herself busy with pen on paper and microphone in hand.

Sullivan’s most recent musical project however is one that holds an especially important role in her career after she was able to combine the memories and stories of her father with the local hockey scene along the Southern Shore.

Sullivan’s newest song and upcoming video, Fiery Hockey Blood, was spawned from the collective stories of her father Gerard Sullivan and his long time friend Kenny Williams. She described both of their deep loves for the game of hockey.

“My dad experienced several strokes a couple of years ago, and certainly lost his fire after it all occurred,” Sullivan said. “The only person he wanted to see was Kenny Williams. The day that they got together and started reminiscing about hockey, I saw an incredible change in my dad that day. I knew then that the game of hockey was much more than just a game. It’s brought them so much joy in their lives.”

Williams, from Bay Bulls, is a legend on the Southern Shore, and respected throughout the province, as a minor and senior hockey builder, arena manager, and much beloved recontour. He has been dealing with health challenges of his own the past few years.

Their love for the game got Sullivan thinking. She described the hockey spirit in her home region as a ‘go big or go home’ attitude, and said her father exemplified that in his time playing.

This, she said, is what compelled her to begin writing the song. Before long, she was in the studio recording, and was even able to score some vocals from Chris Andrews of Shanneyganock to add to the project.

“The song kind of took on a life of its own,” Sullivan said. “Everything just started to snowball for us, and I thought it was deserving of a music video to go along with it… I thought it would be cool to get a player’s perspective intertwined in the project.

Sullivan reached out to Fermeuse native and NHL great Ryan Clowe, who was more than happy to get involved.

“Ryan provides an incredibly nostalgic commentary about growing up on the Southern Shore, and how the passion and fire for hockey really shaped him and helped him achieve his goals of becoming an NHL player,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan even got Hockey Night in Canada Sportscaster Bob Cole to hop on board and call an old play from a Herder Championship of years gone by. This is what Sullivan considers one of the most exciting aspects of the video, even managing to get Cole in an old Southern Shore Breakers jersey.

Back in November of 2020, the shooting process began for the video inside the Southern Shore Arena and around Calvert, Sullivan’s hometown.

“There were lots of little kids involved, some old Breakers players, and some coaches,” Sullivan said. “For me, this was about capturing the legacy of hockey on the Southern Shore and across the province because, as I’ve come to learn, everybody seems to have a hockey story. While this was inspired by dad, I think it speaks to the magnitude and importance of hockey culture in our province, and even across the country.”

The video is set to release on Friday, January 29.

Ferryland residents bask in the sights as they hit the trail in new walking club

By Mark Squibb | Jan. 28, 2021

A recent partnership between the Town of Ferryland and local businesses is encouraging folks to get out and, on the go, and maybe even win a prize doing it.

Jill Curran of Lighthouse Picnics said that, with so many cancellations and restrictions of other activities in recent months, she found herself out walking more.

“You feel a million times better when you get home,” said Curran. “And in the community, we live, we’re totally blessed with the views. The views are just, ‘Wow!’ It makes you appreciate how lucky we are to live where we are.”

Curran said she’s certainly not the only one hitting the trails in her spare time.

“I’ve even heard a lot of people, especially over Christmas, talk about how nice it was to see people and talk to people, that you might not see all the time,” she said.

Curran spoke with Mayor Sean Walsh, and let him know that her business, along with management at Ferryland Foodland, would be willing to donate prizes for a monthly draw to folks who let the Town know that they were out walking the trails.

“He thought it was a fantastic idea,” said Curran. “It’s a really different kind of walking club; walk when you want, walk at your own pace, walk wherever you want.”

Recent upgrades this past fall to the town’s main trail, which opens near the Town of Ferryland sign and flower gardens, and run the length of the community, parallel to the shoreline, make the trail more accessible and easier to access.

“All of these updates to the trails are fantastic and have made the trails so much more accessible for so many more people,” said Curran.

The trail is also used by Baltimore School for hiking, snowshoeing, and even science classes.

The Town held its first prize draw last week, and by that point 67 people had participated.

Curran said there’s prizes lined up months to come, and that’s there no end in sight for the walking club.

“I don’t see it as anything that’s going to wrap up anytime soon,” said Curran, who added it’s a simple program that she would like to see other communities’ launch.

One busy year building on another in Bay Bulls

By Mark Squibb | Jan. 21, 2021

With the challenges dealt by a particular nasty winter and the COVID-19 pandemic, Bay Bulls Mayor Harold Mullowney said 2020 was a busy year for the town, and he anticipates 2021 will be even busier.

“This was one of the busiest years I’ve ever experience on council. We’ve accomplished a lot. I think council and staff pulled together and attended a great number of meetings throughout the year and made it a very productive year overall,” said Mullowney.

Some of the year’s accomplishments, said Mullowney, include six major road projects undertaken by the Town: Lower Road, St. John’s Road upgrades, Irish Town Phase One, (“which wasn’t even on our agenda for this year, but we managed to squeeze it in there,” said Mullowney), Cemetery Lane West, Station Road, and Solomon Close.

Mullowney also pointed out a number of projects, like the revitalization of the Ryan’s Property through the Landscape NL Horticultural Association’s Forgotten Corner project, a new pavilion, supported by a partnership with the Come Home Year committee, and general community beautification in partnership with HMP, in addition to Christmas lighting contests, food bank hamper drives, seniors’ outreach and other events.

“There was a tremendous amount of stuff in terms of the social well being of the community that was accomplished in addition to the actual capital works projects, so I was pleased with that because you try and do a little something for everybody in the community, and especially in a year when so many people have been affected by the terrible weather we had at the beginning and then COVID afterwards,” said Mullowney.

“Anything at all you could do to make the lives of people a little better was certainly appreciated.”

With 2020 in the rear-view mirror, Mullowney said council has a busy year ahead.

“We’ve got a very busy year slated again stretching out in front of us,” said the mayor. “We’ve looked at completing Irish Town Road, which would be Phase 2, and North Side Road. Council is ready to move on them, but that’s contingent on getting some partnership funding from the various levels of government that we’ve applied for. Another capital works project that many people are going to be pleased with, is that we’ve secured a fair amount of funding for the Long Pond Walking Trail. Originally, that was going to be done over a two to three-year period. But I‘m thinking now, due to accessing other pots of money, we might get that done, at least the majority of it, this year. So, that’s certainly a big piece, and hopefully this summer that is up and running.”

Mullowney said council is looking at completing a Community Asset Management policy, as well as entering Phase 3 of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan with Memorial University, with a particular focus on coastal erosion, especially as it relates to the North side and Quay’s Road area, completion of a Municipal Plan Review, development of a strategic plan and updating the emergency response

“And that’s by no means everything, we’ve laid out,” said Mullowney. “It’s really shaping out to be an incredibly busy year. Looking at just one or two of things in a normal year would seem to be ambitious. We’ve got a very active council, and a very committed staff, and I think that’s what leads us to be able to accomplish these things.”

Bay Bulls, along with all other municipalities in the province, will also be calling an election in the spring.

Council is currently operating, with ministerial approval, with a complement of only five members, and various nomination calls over the last two years have gone unanswered.

“I’m always hopeful that we get good people to step forward and offer themselves for council,” said Mullowney. “An awful lot of people don’t realize the commitment. It’s many hours a week nowadays, and it’s a volunteer council, we don’t get renumeration. And as the community continues to grow, the workload also continues to grow. So, I’m thankful that we have so many committed people who are willing to put in the time and effort to accomplish what needs to be done.”

Mullowny said Bay Bulls is not the only community facing such challenges, noting other municipalities, including Mount Pearl, are operating with less than a full slate. He allowed that regional strategies may, in the future, find it necessary to reduce the normal council complement.

“Maybe the complement of seven might have to be reduced in some areas, as a number of towns are doing the work with five. So, we’ll have to see what the province says on that, especially after the next election,” said Mullowney. “It’s often a thankless job, but I find it rewarding, when you see things getting done for the betterment of your community.”

Mullowny said he has made no definite decision about whether he himself will run again, but did say he still enjoys serving on council and currently feels up to the task.

Also to be worked out in this year are financial commitments to the Witless Bay Regional Fire Department. As per the 2021 budget, Witless Bay has planned for several upgrades to regional emergency services, including hiring a full-time paid fire chief and the building of a new fire hall. Those new commitments will require financial help from neighbouring communities.

“It’s certainly in need of more funds. At some point, I’d like to see an ambulance roll out of that building. So, Bay Bulls is certainly supportive, but we’re still working out the fine details of what we would like to see,” said Mullowney.

The mayor also said that he has been inquiring into the vaccine roll out plan, and though he hasn’t heard any specific dates yet, following Southern Shore and North East Avalon joint council meetings with Eastern Health, his understanding is that the hope is that vaccines will be rolled out later this summer or early fall, and that folks will be able to receive the vaccine in their communities, in much the same way as the flu shot.

“If that were the case, you could possibly see mobile clinics held in places like the Regional Lifestyle Centre in Bay Bulls, where they hold flu shot clinics,” said Mullowney. He hopes that a successful vaccine rollout will put COVID behind us for good.

“COVID-19 has added a new layer of challenges. But I’m hopeful that as the vaccine gets moving, the economy will pick up and we will see some improvements, and hopefully in the off-shore a (new oil) well, because that is what drives this province, and hopefully in tourism. We absolutely need this COVID-19 to be behind us before we can see tourism ramp up again. The number of tourists who come through this area is incredible. So, any individuals involved in that industry are being greatly impacted,” said Mullowney. “This will eventually be behind us. And until that happens, stay safe, stay masked, social distance as much as you can.”

Civil engineer makes bid for Placentia - St. Mary's PC nomination

By Mark Squibb | Jan. 14, 2021

Kevin McEvoy says that while he’s volunteered ‘on the fringes’ of other political parties over the years, his bid for the PC nomination in Placentia— St. Mary’s, which will be decided Friday, is his first full-blown foray into politics.

“I’m concerned. I’m concerned about Newfoundland as a whole, I’m concerned about the district of Placentia St. Mary’s,” said McEvoy, who is a senior manager with Guilford’s Inc. and has 28 years of management experience in the construction industry. “I want to finally step up and say, ‘Let me be a help to this province.’ I feel my skill set can be used, and I want to offer them up.”

McEvoy, who hails from Admirals Beach, said he’s not confident with the current administration’s ability to deal with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Decisions and bureaucracy are holding this province back, and I believe I am a candidate for change,” said McEvoy. “We have a major task at hand to deal with what this province is going to need in terms of innovation, and thinking outside the box, and actually getting things done. And I am that kind of person. I believe we need to have a government that is nimble and able to adapt to the times.”

He says the district holds such much potential, but faces many challenges.

One of the biggest needs, said McEvoy, involves infrastructure. “And that varies from water systems to roads. IInfrastructure is an immediate need that everybody talks about,” he said.

McEvoy said seniors face particular challenges, from senior care to access to health care.

A senior ought to be able to get blood work results at a local clinic without having to drive all the way to St John’s, he argued.

“Technology needs to be used to aid seniors and people who are not able to travel the long distances,” said McEvoy.

He also highlighted the district’s potential to aid the province’s food security, what with access to large amounts of land and fishing grounds. “It seems like nobody wants to make our fishery a priority and it’s gone to the wayside, but it’s a renewable resource,” he said.

He is also supportive of the oil industry. “While we invest in green technology we should be promoting and investing in this our own industry for as long as the world still requires fossil fuels,” McEvoy said. “We do need to invest in greener friendly options but replacing fossil fuel is going to take some time.  Our oil and gas ranks with the cleanest in the world.”

As to economic recovery, McEvoy said it’s going to require collaboration between government, private business, and unions. He added that due to an ageing demographic, immigration of skilled workers will be a necessity.

“We are going to have to attract people here. And that’s not a simple process. It’s a multi-pronged process,” said McEvoy. “We need skilled people coming into this province and we need people who are willing to invest in business themselves. The government needs to be able to provide an environment to screen immigration and set out on, much like the tourism industry did a couple years ago with our marketing campaign, we need to market for the type of people that we’re going to need, and that’s people who want to invest in an economy, and then we need to make rules that allow them to invest. Whether it be doctors, nurses, skilled labourers, whatever it is we’re looking for, we have to be able to quickly turn around those certifications so that they become certified in this province.”

McEvoy said that it’s crucial that government be ‘business-friendly.’

 “We have to become a province that is more open to investment. We have to have a business environment that allows business to operate. And the government has to provide policies that allow this, and we have to cut out some of the red tape that’s there,” said McEvoy.

“I have learned to collaboratively be involved in an industry that’s had as many ups-and-downs as any. We’ve struggled, and I’ve managed to be successful and persevere through these times. And right now, I believe this province is on another huge lull. And I believe I can use my experience to help get us through this lull,” said McEvoy. “I chose to stay in this province. I’ve worked through some very tough times, and we’ve had some ‘booms’ that I’ve been privileged to work through. And now, we have another downturn. I’m choosing to jump into politics right now. I have a career. If I am successful, I will become a full time MHA. But, I am choosing this. It’s not something I have to do, but something I feel I should do, and that it’s the best thing to do.”

Voting in the nomination contest will begin on January 14 conclude at 5:00 p.m. on January 15, and is open to all members who live in the district. The deadline to sign up as a member was January 11.

McEvoy’s step daughter, Kristina Ennis, is the PC candidate in St. John’s West.

Luby questions harassment policy

By Mark Squibb | Jan. 14, 2021

Bay Bulls council adopted two new plans of very different purpose during its January 11 public meeting.

The first was for an Asset Management policy that isn’t actually quite ready to roll out yet.

“We’ve been working on the Asset Management Policy now since last summer and we’re just about nearing completion, but as part of the formal process, the Town must adopt a policy,” said Town CAO Jennifer Aspell immediately prior to council taking a unanimous vote to adopt the policy. “So, we should have the actual program itself finished in the next couple of months.”

The Town also voted to adopt a Harassment Prevention Plan as an official policy. Deputy Mayor Wendy O’ Driscoll explained the Newfoundland and Labrador Occupational Health and Safety Act mandates that every workplace have such a plan and provide harassment prevention training.

Part of the motion was for all members of council and staff to complete the training.

Councillor Joan Luby asked if it would be mandatory.

O’ Driscoll said that it would, and that the Town was looking at how the training would be rolled out. She added that, as per the policy, a report would be made available to the alleged harasser within 90 days. Luby asked if this period could be shortened to 30 days. CAO Aspell said that it would depend upon the nature of the complaint, and that 90 days was a pretty standard time period.

Next, Luby asked who would review the alleged harassment complaint, and Aspell said a third party would do it. Finally, Luby noted that, as per the policy, the record of complaint would be kept on file for 10 years following the investigation. She asked if this could be shorted to four years — the length of a council term. Aspell said that 10 years was a standard practice. She also noted that even though someone may only be on council for four years, a staff member may be on staff for much longer. Luby said she felt 10 years is a bit long.

Luby asked if any other councillors had questions, but there were no takers, though councillor Eric Maloney said questions may arise during the actual training sessions.

Aspell said that a policy, once adopted, can be revised if necessary.