Bay Bulls requests exemption to provincial government tax regulation

By Mark Squibb/November 25, 2021

The Town of Bay Bulls is requesting an own source revenue exemption from the provincial government.

The issue was on the agenda for the November public council meeting.

For those not familiar with how source revenue is applied and what an exemption would mean, Town CAO Jennifer Aspell explained it.

“Every municipality has three main sources of revenue,” said Apsell. “They include tax revenue, municipal operating grants, and gas tax revenue. Municipalities are required to maintain a minimum per capita rate for their total tax revenue. In Bay Bulls, the per capita rate is $1,047.14 per person. So based on the 2016 census, which we’re still using, because the numbers have not been released from the 2021 census yet and won’t be until February 2022, we still have to maintain a per capita rate based on a population of 1,500.”

In a nutshell, it means that each person is Bay Bulls has to pay $1,047.14 in order for the town to meet its income tax quota demanded of them by the provincial government.

Apsell said that staff did some further research and formulated a list of communities along the Northeast Avalon comparing own source revenue rates.

Bay Bulls was near the top.

“There are only three that are higher than us, and one is a fairly large community with over 20,000 people,” said Aspell.

By way of example, Aspell noted that a neighboring community, which she did not identify, has a per capita rate of about$758 per person.

“Council had wanted this information in preparation for potentially requesting ministerial approval for an exemption, either for the 2022 tax year or on a go-forward basis,” Aspell concluded.

Councilor Jason Sullivan didn’t mince words when making the motion.

“I would make the motion that we have the Town Manager prepare an argument to send to Municipal Affairs, or whatever department came out with this outlandish thing that they’ve created here, so that we can be adjusted and treated fairly, compared to other towns of our size.”

Councilor Shannon O’ Driscoll seconded the motion.

“It doesn’t seem right,” said Sullivan. “It’s crazy, what they have done, it doesn’t make any sense. And it’s forcing us to tax people harder than we should. These towns provide water and sewer, and stuff like that, and we don’t have any of that, and here we are being mandated to pay.”

Aspell added the data compiled and presented to council was acquired by finding the population from the census report and then determining the tax revenue based on each municipality’s budget.

“So, these are estimates, but I would say that they’re very close,” said Aspell.

Sullivan complimented Aspell on the work, which was presented in a graph. He said any residents who wished to see the information should request it.

Apsell however, when asked for the information, told the Irish Loop Post that the town would not be releasing the document, as it was not a formal document but estimates presented to council for information purposes only. Apsell said that it would be in the town’s best interest to not release the document, and the paper’s best interest to not print any part of the document, as the numbers were just estimates and may not be one hundred per cent accurate.

Council, meanwhile, unanimously approved the motion to request an exemption from having to levy its taxes at the provincially-mandated rate.

The neighboring town of Witless Bay requested an exemption from the own source revenue mandate in 2020 on similar grounds.

In 2021, that town received the exemption on a conditional approval. Witless Bay council held tax rates steady on the expectation that government would approve the request.

Assistant Town Clerk Barbara Harrigan confirmed that government granted that approval in April.

Shed approval takes two Jasons and a Minister of the Crown

By Mark Squibb/November 18, 2021

Councils don’t often have to get the provincial government’s permission to approve a tool shed, but that was exactly what happened in Bay Bulls last week.

The request for approval of construction of the new shed on a Track Road Extension property had originally appeared on the October agenda.

However, councilor Keith O’ Driscoll, along with wife and fellow councilor Shannon O’Driscoll, declared a conflict of interest because of an immediate family member living adjacent to the property. Mayor Neil O’ Brien also declared a conflict of interest because he also lived near the property.

With only two members of council remaining, the Town had to request ministerial approval for those two members, councilor Jason Sullivan and Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien, to vote on the matter.

Both Jasons voted in favor of the motion.

'Take down that guiderail' says Bay Bulls

By Mark Squibb/November 18, 2021

The Town of Bay Bulls is calling for the removal of a guiderail on Southside Road.

“We have a resident who installed a guiderail adjacent to their property which is also in the road reservation (area),” explained CAO Jennifer Aspell. “At the last public meeting, council made a motion to notify the resident that the guiderail either had to be brought to spec or removed, with a 14-day compliance period. The resident has not complied with the request, and so the next step could potentially be for the Town to have an official compliance order issued to the property owner requesting compliance and/or removal.”

Deputy Mayor Jason O’ Brien motioned the resident be issued the formal order, which was seconded by councilor Keith O’ Driscoll.

Mayor Neil O’Brien wished to explain the issue further for the benefit of the public.

“What we have here is a typical example of the public probably not understanding what it is that the council is asking,” said O’ Brien. “We do have a guiderail that was installed. But the guiderail that was installed was not installed to the specs of the Municipality Act.”

O’ Brien then went on to say he didn’t think the guiderail was a big deal, but that he wished to go back to the owner to explain that it doesn’t meet the Town’s building specifications.

“It’s not installed correctly,” said O’Brien. “It’s not a huge, huge deal, but as a Town, and for the liability for us all, this guiderail needs to be installed correctly.”

Deputy Mayor O’Brien pointed out council has already had those conversations with the property owner. Councilor Jason Sullivan added that an e-mail from the property owner confirmed as much.

Mayor O’Brien said it wasn’t a witch hunt, but that the guiderail simply needs to be up to spec and that he wished to make a motion that it be installed correctly.

Councilor Sullivan said the deputy mayor had already made that motion. Put to a vote, it was unanimously approved.

Colony of Avalon survived first year of Covid thanks to grants, says chairman

By Mark Squibb/November 18, 2021

The Colony of the Avalon’s Michael Harrington said grants and government subsidies have kept the Ferryland archaeological works out of the red for the last two years.

“As we all know too well, 2020 was an interesting and challenging year, and 2021 hasn’t exactly been boring either,” said Harrington, during the annual general meeting of the foundation that runs the Colony. “We were closed in 2020. We could not have any archeology on site and decided that we could not take the risk of opening to the public, both for health and fiscal reasons. But that doesn’t mean that we sat at home lounging around.”

He noted that staff worked during the off season doing on-site maintenance and working through a conservation backlog. He added that staff also chased every provincial and federal support program available.

“And because of that, we’re still here, and we’re still able to have an AGM in 2021,” said Harrington.

The Colony earned $241,768 in revenue during the 2020 season. Over half, 55 percent, of that revenue came from federal and provincial grants. Of that, about 67 percent, or $88,000, was made up of the provincial operating grant. The remainder of the grant money came from two COVID relief funds, one provincial, one federal.

Some 28 percent of income consisted of federal wage subsidies.

“So, these COVID relief funds along with the wage subsidies were incredibly helpful in keeping us going in 2020 without any admissions or giftshop revenues,” said Harrington.

There were some gift shop sales – “because of course puffin slippers sell in the good times and the bad,” Harrington joked.

Twelve percent of the Colony’s income, $28,000, came from donations. “A nice number, but I’d like to see it a bit bigger,” said Harrington.

He noted that in a normal year, the Colony would bring in about $350,000.

Despite the lower income, the Colony was able to put aside some money for the coming year, spending only $171,736.

The largest chunk of expenses, 59 percent, went to salaries. Nine percent went towards the power bill, while eight percent went towards insurance. The remainder was split over numerous other items such as operating supplies, municipal taxes, and bank charges.

“So, we survived the shutdown year with money in the bank, basically giving us a cushion going into the unknown of the 2021 season,” summarized Harrington.

The 2021 season looked much more like a regular season, although visitor numbers were down.

“The most important thing is we were open for the full season,” said Harrington. “We had a full seasonal staff working, although our student count was down. Like many others on the Shore, we had trouble getting student positions filled this year. 2021 admissions were a little more than 30 percent of those in 2019.”

He did note there was visitor uptake in August, as the number of visitors in that month was almost 50 percent of the number of  visitors welcomed to the Colony in August of 2019.

“I know that’s not really unexpected given the uncertainty of the border openings and the general situation with COVID,” he said.

Wage subsidies and grants, said Harrington, continued to be essential to the Colony’s survival in 2021.

He added the 17th century kitchen event was a 2021 success, and also noted that Shirley Scott (a.k.a. Shirl the Purl) had released a Sara Kirke Fingerless Mittens patten, with all proceeds to go toward the Colony.

Most notably, in 2021 the Colony received approval for a joint federal and provincial grant of $200,000. That funding will be used for enhancements to the building, including some new roof shingles and windows, as well as gift shop and site enhancements. Work is expected to be completed before summer of next year.

The Colony has also applied for more modest grants to replace some fencing and complete other on-site maintenance jobs.

In other AGM news, board member Des Costello retired from the board, and members acknowledged and thanked him for his years of service.

Harrington also announced the Colony will be looking for a new executive director, as Coleen Crane is retiring from the position.

“I want to thank Coleen for the outstanding job she did for us while she was here, and the Colony of the Avalon is a better organization because of her,” said Harrington.

The Colony was accepting applications for the position up until November 12.

Jane Costello, Jane Severs, Michael Harrington, and John Andrews were nominated as directors.

Most importantly, said Harrington, the Colony will be open in 2022.

The information session was followed by an archeological report by Dr. Barry Gaulton.

Witless Bay council goes back to the future on 99-hectare land reserve

By Mark Squibb/November 18, 2021

Motion #’s 2018-222, 2020-019, and 2020-052.

They don’t look like much on paper, but collectively they form part of the nucleus of a battle that has been raging the better part of 12 years in Witless Bay.

Councilor Ralph Carey walked council through the motions one by one, last week, starting, as is often the best place to start, at the beginning, or at least sort of.

Carey said Motion 2018-222, which was passed by the previous council on September 11, 2018, had amended the Town’s engineering and design standards to give council discretion over the standards set for all roads and public rights-of-way in Witless Bay.

It had followed on an earlier council decision regarding road standards that allowed for approval of an access road for a development at 241A Gallows Cove Road.

At the time, that decision was appealed by Jack Foley, who was represented by resident Noel O’ Dea, a prominent landowner on Gallows Cove Road, who has led an effort to oppose any development on back of Mullowney’s Lane for more than a decade.

At the appeal, the Eastern Regional Appeal Board ruled it did not have jurisdiction to decide the matter.

Carey said the current request to rescind those earlier motions came at the behest of a resident, who remained unnamed throughout the meeting.

“We’ve been requested, and I wasn’t aware of this particular motion, although I may have been at the time in 2018, but it gives tremendous power to a council to use discretion when we’re talking about roads and engineering standards,” said Carey. “We’re talking about safety of the general public, so I don’t think the safety of the general public needs to be in the hands of a few, I think it needs to be in the hands of many, so for that reason I’m willing to make the motion to rescind that motion.”

The motion, meanwhile, appears to go against advice from the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Krista Lynn Howell, who advised some residents of Witless Bay in September that the provincial government would not intervene and call a halt to a proposed road off Mullowney’s Lane that the protesters opposed. “It is the responsibility of Council to bring the road up to the standard set in the Town’s municipal plan and development regulations, and to maintain the road,” Howell wrote in a statement. “Under legislation, the Town Council has the authority to make decisions on municipal roads.”

Lorna Yard, who was among the group protesting the extension on Mullowney’s Lane, and has since been elected to council, seconded Carey’s motion to rescind Motion 2018-222. It passed unanimously.

Next on the chopping block were motions 2020-019 and 2020-052, which Carey said related to a similar matter.

Those motions were made by the previous council to overturn a decision made by the council previous to them, when Carey last served, to reserve 99 hectares of land in the Mullowney’s Lane area from development. That was back in 2014.

The effect of Carey’s new motions would be to overturn the decisions of the last council so that the 99-hectare Crown Land Reserve would be back in place, all but putting the kibosh on any building of houses or roads off Mullowney’s Lane, as the reserve would make islands out of any privately-owned lots in the area and prevent them from connecting to the road.

Carey said that while he is well versed in the matter, he knew that other councilors wished for more information and time before making a final decision on the new motions, so he moved to defer both for now.

Yard seconded that motion.

A final motion that the new council rescinded last week was motion 2021-267, which allowed a resident earlier this year to refer to Service NL for final approval regarding a septic system for a private lot off Mullowney’s Lane. Carey argued the Town should have final say, not Service NL.

“So, right now, we, as a council, have no authority to approve a septic system, we have no jurisdiction over septic systems,” he said.

Carey’s new motion, to rescind that one, was seconded by Deputy Mayor Yard and carried unanimously.

Mobile students raise funds for Indigenous group

By Mark Squibb/November 11, 2021

Grade six students at Mobile Central High School raised almost $900 for the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, which was founded in 2016 to support efforts of reconciliation.

Students organized a Walk for Wenjack after learning about residential schools and acts of reconciliation in their social studies class.

Chanie Wenjack was a young Anishinaabe boy who died in 1966 while trying to return home after escaping from a residential school in Ontario.

The late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie told Wenjack’s story through his 2016 solo album Secret Path, which was accompanied by a graphic novel, animated film, and teaching materials. All proceeds from both the book and album were donated to the University of Manitoba's National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The fund grew out of this multi-media project.

The Mobile students who organized the walk created posters, made announcements over the school’s PA system, and kept track of fundraising, which totalled $880.

On October 27, the entire student body did a 1.5 km walk — a collective total of 600 kms, the distance Wenjack attempted to walk on his return journey home.

Trepassey fire department celebrates 40 years of service

By Staff/November 11, 2021

The 24-member Trepassey Volunteer Department celebrated its 40th year of service last month with a well-attended dinner and dance and awards and service pins presentation.

Because Covid restrictions put a damper on some things last year, the department had to wait until this year to present a number of service pins, including 15 years service pins to Joe Kenny and Dave Sutton.

Ronald Corrigan, Tony Cave and Paul Ryan received pins for 10 years of service. Chris Luther and Terry Waddleton received 5-year pins.

Former Chief Ken Hartery, who retired last year, was presented with a 20-year service pin and a plaque recognizing his contribution.

Honourary member Con Finlay was recognized for 50 years of service.

Deputy Chief Gerard Ryan, who has been a member of the department for 33 years holding a variety of executive positions, was recognized as the 2020 Firefighter of the Year, while Kenny was named the winner of the award for 2021.

Ryan said that the past year of service was a successful one, a year which saw 13 members trained in defensive firefighting during a two-day course in June.

“While Covid-19 changed a lot of our normal and day to day activities, we did complete our Defensive Firefighting training on June 5-6 of 2021 as well as a 2-day first aid certification course for our members on October 16-17,” Ryan noted. “I would like to thank Fire Chief Tony Cave for his dedication and effort to our department. I would also like to thank all fellow firefighters who give so freely of their time to provide fire protection services to our town and surrounding communities of Biscay Bay, Portugal Cove South, St. Shotts and all areas in between.”

Ryan noted the department has one paramedic amongst its members and several others who are trained and qualified to use our Jaws of Life. Several of the members are women.

“We also assist emergency calls for 911 whereby we can provide support in any ambulance emergency calls,” Ryan said. “Thanks to our mayor, deputy mayor and councillors for their 100 percent support as we continue to provide the best fire protection services to our town of Trepassey and surrounding communities.”

O'Brien 'family cannon' to adorn front of Town Hall

By Craig Westcott

The Town of Bay Bulls unveiled a cannon donated by the family of the late William (Bud) Joseph O'Brien last week.

The cannon is believed to be from the wreck of the HMS Sapphire, although that has not been confirmed. If the cannon is from that wreck, it would mean it is over 300 years old.

The cannon, which town staff cleaned and restored under the guidance of Memorial University’s Archeology Department, was discovered when the harbour was dredged in the mid-seventies.

“Bud seen it from the office coming up in a clam bucket, went down and had a look, and took it home,” said Mayor Neil O’Brien.

The cannon sat in the O’Brien backyard ever since.

Family members, including sons Con and Arthur and wife Janice O’Brien, were on hand for the presentation.

“I don’t know if Arthur was even born when this showed up. I was about 10 or 11 years old, and as born in ‘66, so it was around ’76 or ’77, that they dredged this up,” said Con. “One of the things I can remember about this cannon, is that dad would always challenge the young fellers to see if they could move it. And it weighed a lot. It was something that we could never pick up. But anybody who came to the house with their children, the first thing father would say is, ‘Come out now, and we’ll who’s the strongest one here, we’ll see who can lift up the end of the cannon.’ And I can only remember one fellow, a fellow by the name of Mark Spenser, who had a cabin in the Witless Bay Line, and Mark was an athletic sort of fellow, and by God, didn’t he ever pick it up one day and stand it up on its end.”

Janice spoke of her late husband’s nature and love of the community.

“I met Bud in 1998, and for the 22 years that I knew him, I can honestly say that I was never bored,” said Janice. “He was a fascinating, interesting man who loved history, and loved reading, and loved Bay Bulls. He was like a homing pigeon when it came to Bay Bulls. Wherever he was, he wanted to go home.”

She recalled that Bud always wanted to do something more with the cannon then let it sit and waste away.

“That cannon was out in the yard as you came out the back door, and every time he walked past it, he would say, ‘We’ve got to do something with that cannon.’ And I agreed with him, I said ‘Yes, you should do something with that cannon before it disintegrates or before the sod grows over it.’”

As part of the presentation, the O’Brien boys played some songs, and with that, the cannon and a memorial to Bud were unveiled by family and friends.

All in all, it was a good time, one which Con said his father would have enjoyed.

“Dad would be delighted,” said Con. “He loved a little recognition. He always thrived on that. And if he was here today, well, he’d be talking a lot longer than the rest of us, I can tell you that.”

Letter to the Editor

Trepassey honours firefighter for 50 years of service

Gandhi said the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

The above quote is very fitting for a Trepassey resident who has volunteered his time to many organizations and activities over the past 50 years. Con Finlay recently received a well-deserved award from the local fire department for 50 years of service as a volunteer fireman. During that time, he was fire chief for a number of years and was treasurer up until he retired in 2020.  

This humble gentleman is one who never wanted to be recognized for his volunteerism. I believe in the quote, “give praise where praise is due,” and Con Finlay is due much praise and acknowledgment for all he has done, whether he was on a committee or not. He has done a lot of work behind the scenes that most of us were not even aware of. For many years he volunteered his time as chairman of the Parish Finance Committee, and also served on the Cemetery Committee and with the Knights of Columbus. He was always there to help with the Bereavement Committee, and he also served a four-year term as Town Mayor.   

He was also the person who took care of the Trepassey Community Hall. Since 1988, he took responsibility of ordering all supplies for any events held there. This included approaching the RCMP and Liquor Corp. for bar licenses for all functions and taking inventory following those functions. There would sometimes be as many as 12 of these events a year (including the New Year’s Eve Ball).  

Con was always there for the Parish Priest, and still is, no matter what was needed with regards to the Parish House or the Church.  His presence in the church is well noted and he is very active helping with the cleaning and decorating of same. Many a cold and early winter morning, while we were snuggled in our warm beds, he would get up and head to the church to turn on the heat and clean the ice and snow from the steps in preparation for Sunday’s Mass. For years, he accompanied and transported the Priest to and from St. Shotts for weekend masses and or funerals.

Another notable contribution of Con’s, coupled with all of the above, is the many years of devotion and dedication to school sports teams, especially basketball, at Stella Maris Academy when sports were in full bloom. He served on a committee where a lot of organization and fund-raising events were planned and Con, being the treasurer, took care of all financial aspects. He was one of their greatest supporters. There were not many basketball games or tournaments he missed and I’m sure the players appreciated him for this.

They say that one of the greatest gifts you can give is your time, and this man has certainly given his time to help keep the community of Trepassey alive.

Congratulations Con, and thank you for your many years of service.

Judy Brazil,

Trepassey