Film crews and micro breweries talk of the town in Petty Harbour in 2023

By Mark Squibb

 December 20, 2023

It’s been a busy year in Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove.

The Town bought the community centre parking lot, which had one of the properties, along with the nearby St. Joseph’s Church, put up for sale by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s to settle abuse victims claims.

Mayor Ron Doyle says the purchase was a big-ticket item.

“The building was purchased by a film group, and we were lucky enough to be able to buy the parking lot back,” said Doyle. “As luck would have it, they separated both parking lots, one with the church and one with the community centre, and we own the community centre, which is the old St. Edward’s schools, but we had to buy back the parking lot, and we had to pay $85,000, which was an expense. It was a struggle. When you have to find $85,000 in a balanced budget, tis not easy.”

Doyle said there was a negative kick back to the idea of a film studio, and the purchasers have since sold the building.

“Now, we’re looking at the possibility of a micro brewery going there,” said Doyle. “We haven’t come to a conclusion, other than that we’re amending the zoning to allow for commercial business uses there, and one of them would be a micro-brewery.”

Doyle said council will be meeting with the applicant in the new year.

The town in 2023 marked 50 years of incorporation, and the community also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the unveiling of the cenotaph, which was dedicated in 1998.

Also in 2023, Newfoundland Power, which has partnered with the Town in recent years to address its parking woes, installed a storyboard near the hydro plant telling the history of the plant.

With an eye to the town’s lucrative torusim market, council this year met with the Department of Tourism and other tourism groups and from that meeting developed a refreshed tourism strategy, with a focus on increased parking and signage.

The Town also continued with a program of upgrades to its parks, work that Doyle said will continue into the future.

“We’re concentrating heavily on accessibility,” said Doyle. “Most of our new facilities are accessible. Bidgoods Cove Park and Cribbies Park and out around near the memorial. We also did some work on the Tourist Chalet, making sure that we have accessible washrooms available.”

Council this month passed a balanced budget of $1.1 million that will see no residential or commercial mil rate increases.

Council did however implement some tax increases: residential garbage collection went from $100 to $125, while commercial garbage collection went from $200 to $300, and the tax certificate for compliance letters increased $100 to $250.

Council also introduced a fee for film crew permits.

“We continue to have film crews come down, whether its Hudson and Rex or whoever it is,” said Doyle. “And this is to control it, as much as it is to make a dollar. We need to know who is coming, when they’re coming, how many are coming, whether there are going to be traffic disruptions.”

And, if you head on down to the Town Hall to take in a council meeting, you’ll notice a new face around the council table; David Balsom was named to council this fall following the resignation of former councillor Melissa Pardy, who resigned citing other commitments.

“It’s always great to have some new blood on council, and he’s very experienced,” said Doyle. “He’s only been to a couple of meetings, but he speaks up, he’s got a lot of experience, and I look forward to working with him. He’s a good guy.”

Looking ahead to next year, the Town has invested in a number of multi-year capital works projects, include storm runoff remediation along the Maddox Cove shoreline and remediation along Motion Bay. Council also hopes to mitigate storm runoff by installing swales along certain roads to help direct storm water into the sewers.

Doyle also extended his congratulations to the family of the late Tom Best, who was inducted into the Atlantic Canada Martine Industries Hall of Fame this fall.

Best was the founding president of the Petty Harbour Fishermen’s Co-operative, and served as president for over 30 years. Best also chaired the Petty Harbour Fishermen’s Committee for a number of years and served on many other local and national fishery committees.

Council delegates authority for road cut permits to Town Manager

By Mark Squibb

December 20, 2023

The Town of Bay Bulls this month approved an application process for road construction requests effective this January.

“On occasion we receive requests to cut the road, install new driveway culverts, etcetera outside of the normal new home development requests,” explained Town Manager Ashley Wakeham. “They are not very frequent, approximately two to four annually, and the Town has always required a reinstatement/damages deposit for such work but there was no formalized application/approval process. This was just for housekeeping and record management so that we have the necessary documents to support the payment of the deposits and the return of the same.”

Council also delegated the authority to approve applications to the Town Manager.

Councillor Corey Ronayne suggested that as the process is new, council provide oversight for the first three months.

Wakeham said the requests are infrequent, but in the last number of months the Town has received more than usual, and there wasn’t a proper process for dealing with the applications.

The motion was amended to delegate authority to Wakeham with council advising for the first three months and was approved unanimously by those in attendance. Mayor Ketih O’Driscoll and councillor Jason Sullivan were both absent.

Bay Bulls awards skating rink design contract

By Mark Squibb

December 20, 2023

The Town of Bay Bulls is one step closer to completing an outdoor community skating rink.

During December’s meeting, council awarded the structure and mechanical design services contract to Core Engineers Ltd., at a cost of $14,200 plus HST.

Council first undertook work on the new rink in September, when it issued a request for proposals on site preparation. The plan was to level off ground just in behind the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre to make way for the rink.

The Town has already secured a donation of leftover rink boards from the Mary Brown’s Centre and has submitted a funding application to Active NL in hopes of securing provincial government money.

During that same meeting, council also awarded appraisal services for land off Cemetery Lane West.

“The Town of Bay Bulls is looking to acquire land for the purpose of a secondary access point to the parking lot area of the recreational field, and so staff have gone out for some quotes,” explained Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien.

Council moved to award the job to the lowest compliant bidder, Kirkland Balsom and Associates, at a cost of $2,995 plus HST.

Goulds Elementary Donation

Goulds Elementary recently hosted a 50/50 fundraiser in aid of the Curtis Hudson Memorial Fund, and the school community raised an incredible $66,880 in just two weeks. The $33,440 left after the 50/50 payout will be put towards the construction of an accessible playground in memory of Curtis, a young boy from the Goulds who passed in November 2017, following a battle with brain cancer. The Goulds Leo Club recently raised $1,792 to be put towards the same cause. Pictured is Leo Club President Emily Putt presenting Krista Hudson with a cheque. Photo courtesy of the Goulds Lions Club

Witless Bay council looking for government land

By Mark Squibb
December 1, 2023 Edition

Witless Bay council made two applications for plots of Crown Land during last week’s public council meeting.

The first application was to secure a right of way along a section of the old railbed to help the Town better develop the trail.

Councillor Jacob Hayden asked whether he was in a conflict as he a member of the ATV Association, which is working on upgrades to the railway trail. He was found not to be in conflict as there is no financial gain to be had.

Hayden said the Town needs to do it’s best to protect the trail.

“We’ve very lucky to have this in town as it is,” said Hayden. “Just look at the price Bay Bulls just paid for their walking trail… So, hopefully we’re successful in this application and we can have a nice, reliable walking trail for generations to come.”

Bay Bulls recently completed nearly a million dollars worth of work on the Long Pond trail, although much of that was paid for with provincial and federal government funding.

Council also agreed to apply for a parcel of Crown Land adjacent to the Puffin Centre for future development and expansion of the Town’s recreation ground.

“We’ve sized it up, and if we want to build onto the Puffin Centre in the future or we want to expand on recreation in the area, it would be the perfect area to do so,” explained Hayden.

In other development news, council approved a business permit on Deans Road, subject to all other applicable government approvals, and construction of a commercial building at the same address.

Carey said the building will be used for storage, and there will be no water or septic hooked up to the building. Any future change of use would require approval by council.

Council also approved construction of a family home on Country Path, and ratified an earlier decision of council to award a patch paving contract to English’s Paving at a cost of $17,900 plus HST.

Latest ambulance incidence shows lack of progress on serious issue, says O’Driscoll

By Mark Squibb
December 1, 2023 Edition

Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll is once again ringing the alarm bell over what he calls inadequate ambulance service in Trepassey.

O’Driscoll said a resident called him last week after the driveshaft fell out of an ambulance on route to St. Shotts to pick up her mother. A second ambulance had to be dispatched from St. Mary’s, more than an hour away on a good day.

O’Driscoll said the first ambulance had clocked over 475,000 kilometres on its odometer.

Following the complaint, O’Driscoll said he called the Department of Health and Community Services to inquire about the rules and regulations regarding mileage, upkeep, and inspection requirements. He said the word from government is that ambulances are good for 10 years and up to 500,000 kilometres, and that inspections are required every six months or so.

Fewer’s Ambulance, which serves Trepassey and the neighbouring communities of Portugal Cove South, Biscay Bay and St. Shott’s, gave the Province notice back in January that it would be pulling the ambulance out of the region in July as the business in that area was no longer profitable.

Owner Bob Fewer told media at the time that he would commit to remaining in the area until government took over.

O’Driscoll, meanwhile, said that one ambulance to serve Trepassey is simply unacceptable, especially when the nearest ambulance service is an hour’s drive away.

“I think they need to put a second ambulance back in Trepassey,” said O’Driscoll. “If an ambulance leaves Trepassey and drives to St. John’s, it’s a two-hour drive at a minimum. And you may have to keep your client in your ambulance until they get checked in, so who knows how long they would have to stay, depending on the type of emergency. So, by the time they return, it’s definitely been five or six hours without an ambulance service.”

O’Driscoll said the issue has been ongoing and is a serious concern for people in Trepassey and the neighbouring communities.

Trepassey residents also raised alarm when the area’s only doctor retired back in 2022. That position has yet to be filled.

“It feels like they’re forgetting the rural areas,” said O’Drsicoll. “First it was doctors, and now it’s the ambulance.”

O’Driscoll said he has raised the issue in the House and in public, and feels frustrated with the lack of movement.

As to last week’s mechanical mishap, O’Driscoll allowed accidents happen and that even well-serviced and maintained vehicles experice hiccups now and then, but that it’s still a concern.

“When things like this happen, it gives residents a little more doubt about the system and how it works,” said the member. “When the ambulance arrives, people expect it to be in good working order. And it’s on government to ensure that that happens. And it’s concerning, it really is.”

The Irish Loop Post contacted Fewer’s about the incident but did not receive a response by deadline.

No tax increase for Bay Bulls next year

By Mark Squibb
December 1, 2023 Edition

Bay Bulls council has approved a balanced budget of $4.3 million that will see no residential or commercial mil rate increases in 2024.

Council approved Budget 2024 at a special council meeting held last Friday night, a meeting that was called late Wednesday afternoon.

Town staff say a copy of the budget will be made available to the public once it has been reviewed by the Province.

Staff did note a number of ‘highlights’ from the budget, including that monies have been earmarked for Phase 2 of the Long Pond Walking Trail. The provincial government will cover 60 percent of the project cost and the Town will use federal Gas Tax funding for its portion of the project. Northside Road will also see upgrades and measures taken to deal with coastal erosion. The town will pay 10 percent of those costs with the remaining being shared between the provincial and federal governments. Money for a new outdoor rink has also been set aside for next year.

Council also approved a number of incentives to help residents save some money in the new year, including a 12 percent discount for property owners who pay their taxes in full by May 31, an interest-free payment plan for residents and business owners willing to make a payment arrangement with the Town to pay their bill in full by November 30, a new home construction incentive program that provides new homeowners with a zero property tax bill for the first year of occupancy, and a one-year tax exemption for new businesses.

The budget is up considerably from Budget 2023, which came in at $3.19 million.

The commercial and residential mil, as noted earlier, will hold steady at five mils and 14.75 mils respectively.

Mobile students smoke firefighters, Mounties in the gym

By Mark Squibb
December 1, 2023 Edition

Mobile Central High School students, members of the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department, and local RCMP officers had good fun for a good cause last week at the first ever Fallen First Responders Cup.

The action saw the firefighters and Mounties from the Holyrood and Ferryland detachments RCMP square off against the students both for bragging rights and to collect food items for the local food bank.

The students bested the first responders 12-5, with Mobile netminder Alex Gentry earning the MVP award.

“It’s all in good fun, but we’re hoping to come back stronger next year,” said Fire Chief Jack Gatherall. “The kids were happy, and the fire department got smoked, we’ll say, but we had a good time.”

Gatherall said that he and Auxiliary Cst. Shawn Lewis had at first discussed holding an ice hockey game between the firefighters and the police officers but opted instead to hold a game of ball hockey. They then thought to invite the high school students to participate.

“It was a good way for the RCMP and fire department to connect with local youth in the area,” said Gatherall. “We are all about spreading positivity. I want people to see the fire department as an inspiration. It’s nice to see a fire department that’s active in its region.”

Gatherall hopes the Fallen First Responders Cup and food raiser will become an annual tradition.

In the meantime, the department is teaming up with the Knights of Columbus for a ‘Pack the Fire Truck’ event for the food drive and will participate in the annual Kinsmen Club Santa Claus parade this weekend.

“It’s a busy time of year to be a volunteer,” said Gatherall.

As busy as they are volunteering in the community, members of the fire department are first and foremost, emergency responders. As of November 1, the department has answered 137 medical calls, six structure fires, 10 motor vehicle accidents, 10 alarm bells, a chimney fire, three brush fires, an electrical fire, four extra service calls, seven vehicle fires, and one water rescue.

A number of Mobile Central High students from different grade levels turned out for the Fallen First Responder Cup ball hockey game. Pictured, from left, are Grade 12 students Cameron Collett, Nolan Stanley, Cameron Chafe, Owen O’Driscoll, Adrian Whalen, and Kalem Dalton. The Mobile students bested the first responders 12-5. Submitted photo

Some members of the RCMP and Witless Bay Fire Department team included, from left: Sylvester Cahill, Chrystal Kelly, Mel Frigon, Andrew Gibbons, Connor O’ Driscoll, Josh Williams, Dylan Whitty, and Kyle Nash. Submitted photo

Witless Bay Fire Department asks for change to coverage area

By Mark Squibb
November 24, 2023 Edition

Witless Bay council has been asked to amend the coverage area of the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department.

Councillor Ralph Carey moved at last week’s meeting that council defer the motion pending a meeting with Fire Chief Jack Gatherall. Councillor Jacob Hayden seconded that motion.

“Basically, we’ve read through the proposal, and we just have a few questions we want to ask,” explained Hayden. “So, we’re looking forward to getting his full input on this and sitting down and having a discussion.”

The motion to defer passed unanimously. No details were offered as to whether the department wants to expand its coverage area, or reduce it.

The Town has invested heavily in the department in recent years. In May, 2022, council agreed to accept a cost-shared funding offer from the provincial government and move ahead with the construction of a new regional fire hall proposed by the former council. Construction will come in just shy of $3 million dollars, with the Town expected to pay $815,646 over the next decade.

The Town hired its first full-time fire chief in 2021, and has also allocated money for fire department operations, volunteer recruitment and training, new equipment, and new training grounds.

The department serves Witless Bay, Bay Bulls, Tors Cove, Bauline, Mobile, and Burnt Cove-St Michaels-Bauline East.

Bay Bulls council approves new donation policy

By Craig Westcott
November 24, 2023 Edition

The Town of Bay Bulls has adopted a new policy to guide staff on how to handle donation requests.

"The Town of Bay Bulls is a big supporter of community groups and organizations," said Mayor Keith O'Driscoll in introducing the policy at last week’s public council meeting, which was held, as usual, by teleconference.

Under the new policy, O’Driscoll said, community groups can apply for an annual one-time donation to support their activities and programs.

"Council will allocate an annual amount each year in the budget process to support community groups and organizations," said the mayor. "The purpose of an annual donation program is to ensure that all donations are made in an equitable and fair manner to all eligible groups and organizations. The primary focus of the donation policy will be to provide financial assistance to community groups and organizations for the purposes of community initiatives and community programs. These guidelines will provide staff the means to process donation requests."

Earlier in the meeting, before the new policy was passed, council agreed to donate $250 to the Mobile Central High Scholarship Fund. The money is to be disbursed as five cheques of $50 each to accompany specific awards. 

Council also agreed to donate $300 to the Kidsmas and Town tree lighting event.

"It's a great event and I'm glad to see it's going ahead again this year," said councillor Jason Sullivan.

"It's been growing every year, I think, since it's started, and it's great to see," agreed Mayor O'Driscoll.

Later in the meeting, council voted to provide a $200 donation to the Ferryland RCMP detachment for its Kids Ride On Program.

And finally, council also agreed to cover the cost of some 50 vegetable hampers for the Dean Patrick Cleary Council of the Knights of Columbus’ Christmas Hamper Program.

The motion was made by councillor Sullivan who estimated the value of the donation to be some $600.

The motion was seconded by councillor Ethan Williams and passed unanimously.