Fire department getting new uniforms and gear

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council approved a number of requests from its local volunteer fire department during the May public meeting held earlier this month.

Council approved the department’s request to have three members attend Fire School training and cover associated costs. That training was scheduled for May 25 thru to the 31st.

Council also gave the department approval to auction off two Drager self contained breathing apparatuses and four air bottles.

Town Manager Jennifer Aspell said the department had just acquired new equipment to replace the units being auctioned off.

Council also approved the purchase of 10 new uniforms at a maximum total cost of $2,000.

Councillor Ralph Carey said the department’s training regime is progressing well. He added the department is planning a thirtieth-anniversary ball this November.

In a previous meeting, Carey noted the department is also actively monitoring used equipment deals to make the most of available funds.

Since January 1, the department has responded to 114 calls for service, including four structure fires and three vehicle fires. Amongst those was a vehicle fire that spread to a structure.

The department boasts 29 members, plus Fire Chief Jack Gatherall.

In other council news, council contracted Martin’s Survey and Land Services Inc., to survey a plot of Crown land behind the Puffin Centre at a cost of $1,650 plus HST.

“This is a tiny piece of Crown land on back of the Puffin Centre that we have to have surveyed to include in our property,” explained Carey.

Council denied a request for road upgrades to Gallows Cove Road as Budget 2024 does not include funds for the requested upgrades.

Council did, however, approve a request for additional road signage cautioning motorists to slow down near the playground.

Council also issued a call for expressions of interest for a public hearing commissioner.

The successful applicant will preside over public hearings and relay the findings to council regarding proposed changes to the Town’s Municipal Plan and development regulations.

Witless Bay to honour late Mike Cahill

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council during this month’s public meeting held on May 14, approved a request for a memorial plaque at Upper Pond honouring the late Mike Cahill, who died this April.

Cahill was a founding member of Witless Bay town council and served a second term from 2005-2009. He was also a founding member of the local Kinsmen Club and helped establish the Harbour Authority, in addition to running his commercial refrigeration business, Cabot Refrigeration, and aiding other community groups.

Carey noted that council had applied for funding to beautify the Lower Pond area, which may be used to cover the cost of the memorial plaque.

Looking over across town, council also approved a concept design for the Lower Pond tourist lookout and gave Mills & Wright the greenlight to prepare and issue the tender package for the project.

Council appointed Mills & Wright as prime consultant on the Lower Pond tourist lookout project back in April at a cost of $17,150 plus HST.

Corrigan goes out on a bang, looks back at five years well spent

Bev Corrigan (right) hosted her fifth and final Strides for Melanoma fundraiser walk this past weekend along the Old Witless Bay Line. Pictured with Corrigan are Gen Corrigan, left, winner of the Landells Clinic skincare package valued at $415, and Wanda Squires, centre, winner of the $10,000 ticket draw. The event raised $16,737 for Melanoma Canada. All told, folks across Canada have raised $111,300 through 2024 Strides for Melanoma events. Submitted photo

By Mark Squibb

After helping raise tens of thousands of dollars for Melanoma Canada over the last five years, Beverley Corrigan of Witless Bay hosted her fifth and final Strides for Melanoma event this past weekend.

“I am very grateful,” said Corrigan. “The sense of accomplishment is quite amazing. I know I’ve done well, and I don’t think I’m leaving anything undone. I believe I did what I set out to do, and the support from people around me has been quite amazing.”

In 2019, Corrigan noticed what appeared to be a small mole on her left leg. Following a biopsy, her doctor confirmed it was melanoma, a form of skin cancer. The lymph nodes were removed, but just over two years later the melanoma returned, requiring further treatments.

Following her initial diagnosis, Corrigan made it her goal to raise not only funds, but awareness, especially as most forms of melanoma are preventable.

To protect oneself, Corrigan recommends applying broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects from both UVA (ultraviolet A radiation) and UVB (ultraviolet B radiation) rays, at least 15 minutes before heading out, and to re-apply frequently.

This year’s event was held last Saturday along the Old Witless Bay Line, with more than 200 people attending.

All told, Southern Shore folks raised $16,737 for Melanoma Canada.

“Even with inflation, we still did extremely well,” said Corrigan. “People are generous, and the figure certainly shows that.”

A portion of funds raised were from the sale of 50/50 tickets. The $10,000 ticket winner was Wanda Squires. The ticket draw took place at the Witless Bay Knights of Columbus Building, and the draw was witnessed by Grand Knight Jimmy Boland and past Grand Knight Barry Dillion. Former Ferryland District MHA Keith Hutchings drew the winning ticket.

Gen Corrigan, meanwhile, was the winner of the Landells Clinic skincare package.

Funds raised are to be used for special initiatives, such as the Mole Mobile, a mobile unit that will visit remote, Indigenous and underserved communities along with major cities across the country to educate people on sun safety and skin cancer.

Corrigan extended special thanks to the Knights of Columbus Dean Patrick Cleary Council 6672 and Msgr. Rawlins Assembly 2010 for fundraising support, and Monsignor Pat Kennedy for delivering the blessing.

Face painters, costumed characters, and a BBQ rounded out the event.

“Overall,” said Corrigan, “I couldn’t ask for anything better — although, I could have asked for better weather, but you can’t have it all right?”

Bay Bulls mayor, Town Manager bound for South Carolina

By Craig Westcott

Bay Bulls council has approved the travel costs for Mayor Keith O'Driscoll and Town Manager Ashley Wakeham to participate in the 'Towns in Tune' program in Newberry, South Carolina this summer.

The show, which runs on South Carolina public television, matches towns in South Carolina and Canada for historical and cultural exchanges. It is sponsored by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina, tax credits from the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation.

The show features interviews with local residents, business owners, artists, and others. Bay Bulls will see two segments filmed, including a songwriter’s circle and concert at the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre on June 22 which will incorporate two songwriters each and a band each from Newfoundland and South Carolina. The second event, the following day, will be an artists showcase of Newfoundland and South Carolina authors, painters and musicians.

The Town is paying a $15,000 sponsorship fee to participate in the program. The travel expenses are separate to that.

"All travel (costs) and meals will be reimbursed as per the Town of Bay Bulls travel and meal reimbursement policy," said Deputy Mayor Jason O'Brien who made the motion to approve the travel at last week's council meeting. It was seconded by councillor Corey Ronayne.

"We started off with two people – I'm not sure if anybody else is interested or able to go? We'll have to check our schedules," said O'Brien.

"I think it's a good opportunity especially (where) they're sending two representatives from their town to our town in the near future," said Mayor O'Driscoll.

"I believe there's actually four (coming), but there's definitely (at least) two," said Wakeham.

"I think it's fair to say that it's a good opportunity for whomever goes," added O'Driscoll, noting the number of Bay Bulls delegates to South Carolina can be ironed out later.

Newberry is a town of more than 10,000 people. The two episodes featuring Bay Bulls and Newberry will air on PBS late this year or early in 2025.

In other council news:

• Harbour Construction of Witless Bay has been awarded the tender to finish phase two of the Long Pond walking rail.

  Deputy Mayor O'Brien said the company was the lowest compliant bidder. It will be paid $405,220 plus HST for the work.

• Baird's Asphalt Sealing & Line Painting, meanwhile, is getting the contract to paint lines on streets and Town parking lots.

  Councillor Ethan Williams said the company was the lowest compliant bidder and will be paid $30,750 plus HST.

• Council answered the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department's request for donations for the firefighters' ball by offering free use of the Regional Lifestyle Centre for the event.

  The 35th annual ball is scheduled for November 16.

• Council also, meanwhile, approved release of the quarterly operating grant to the Regional Lifestyle Centre.

  This quarter's amount is $30,000.

  "Is there any reason we've gone over the (regular) quarterly amount?" asked Deputy Mayor O'Brien.

  Town Manager Wakeham said the Centre gets a total of $100,000 for the year and perhaps after experiencing a slow winter the centre needed a little more than the regular quarterly amount this time around. The Centre also drew down $30,000 of the grant in the first quarter.

  "They understand that they only have a limited amount left for (quarters) three and four," she added. "Summer will bring a profit. We're doing really well with registration for both soccer, which is up by 25 children, and there's a number of weeks of the summer program, after just three days of the online system being open, that we're full, at capacity. So, we're doing really well."

• And finally, council has deferred approval of the proposed outdoor ice rink for now.

  Deputy Mayor O'Brien asked his colleagues to defer the vote until more information is collected.

  "I think we're moving in the right direction of getting information," said O'Brien. "I just think there's pieces of this not fully covered to implement this project, some more budgeting and details so that we have a full package for funding overall."

Witless Bay denies agriculture permit after neighbour complains

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council last week denied an agriculture permit to a resident council had previously issued two Stop Work Orders to.

The Town issued Aloysius Carey a Stop Work Order to stop all farming and construction activities on his John C’s Grove Road property on May 9, 2023, which was the second such order.

The Town first became aware of the growing of hay and spreading of manure on the property in May 2022. No permit had been issued, and council issued a Stop Work Order on May 25, 2022.

The property is zoned as “Residential,” which allows for home-based agriculture so long as farming activities do not pose problems to neighbouring residents.

The work continued and council issued the second Stop Work Order on May 9, 2023.

Carey appealed that second order on May 23.

Adjudicator Clifford Johnson, weighing the evidence, confirmed council’s Stop Work Order on January 17 of this year.

In attendance at last week’s meeting were Gordon Crocker and Martina Aylward, both named as interested parties in the appeal document, along with Carey.

“I’m after making several calls and emails to the council about this property,” said Crocker, who lives alongside Carey. “There’s no permits in place, the zoning is wrong. It’s not a hobby farm up there by any means… It’s a commercial farm.”

Crocker said there is an abundance of neighbourhood pests on the nearby farm and blamed a recent washout of his driveway on land clearing at the property. Crocker was also concerned that the spreading of manure might compromise the water quality of his subsurface well.

Aylward echoed Crocker’s allegations, calling the farm a large-scale, commercial operation.

Carey himself also spoke and denied responsibility for Crocker’s driveway washing out.

“There’s no proper ditching,” said Carey, who added he only cleared land on his own property and that Crocker actually cut some of the land himself. “So, I’m not responsible for someone’s driveway washing out if there’s no proper ditching.”

Carey said, as per his application, that he wouldn’t spread manure on the meadow adjacent to Crocker’s property, but also defended the spreading of manure as a common practise.

“Manure has been spread all over this island,” said Carey, who cited local farmers who spread manure on their properties.

Carey also denied that his farm was a commercial operation and said he has to call in friends to spread manure with their equipment.

“I have an old, ‘73 farm tractor, a John Deere,” said Carey. “That’s all I got. So, there’s no pile of commercial equipment in any way shape or form.”

He said he was applying for a permit to grow hay to feed his horse and two ponies. He said he would also split the hay with another group.

Following the three presentations, councillor Ralph Carey put forth a motion to deny the application.

Town CAO Jennifer Aspell reminded the councillor that he needed to state a reason for denying the application, suggested a friendly amendment to the motion.

Councillor Carey, who allowed the motion “will probably get repealed,” moved to deny the application because it was outside the Town’s development regulations for residential areas, citing pollution and nuisance issues.

The motion passed unanimously.

Witless Bay council dismisses complaints against Carey

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council last week cleared councillor Ralph Cary of both a conflict-of-interest complaint and a code of conduct allegation.

Town CAO Jennifer Aspell said the first complaint alleged that Carey was in a conflict of interest when he discussed and voted on the Ragged Beach Crown Land Reserve earlier this year.

“The complaint was brought forward at a privileged meeting of council on April 25, 2024,” explained Aspell. “At that meeting, councillor Carey was given an opportunity to make a presentation to council. And when his presentation concluded, he left the meeting.”

Council, said Aspell, determined Carey had not acted in a conflict of interest, and during that same privileged meeting voted unanimously to dismiss the complaint.

A second complaint, this one alleging that Carey had violated the Municipal Code of Conduct Act, was also brought forward at that same privileged meeting. Carey again, according to Aspell, presented his case and then left the room. Council voted and again found him not guilty.

The complaint stemmed from Carey’s alleged involvement with activist groups protesting any and all development in and around Ragged Beach over the last decade.

Council concluded Carey was not a member of council during much of the time period refenced in the complaint and there was no substantive evidence he was a director or member of either the Save Ragged Beach or Friends of Ragged Beach groups.

Both motions to clear Carey were ratified during last week’s public meeting.

Both complaints were filed by the same individual, who was not identified.

St. Kevin’s High School third annual Evening of the Arts

St. Kevin’s High School hosted it’s third annual Evening of the Arts last Thursday. The event gives students a chance to showcase their artistic talents through artwork, song, music, and more. This year, students invited members of the Goulds Daffodil Club out for the festivities. Students served up moose stew, chicken noodle soup and offered a few songs to boot. From left are Sydney Ryan, Charley Sheehan, Sara Taylor, Ceili Bennett, Paulette O’Toole, Marie Vincent, Linda Prowse, Betty Williams, Leah Marsh, Cara Ennis, Sophie Gagne-Hedderson, and Callie Wall. Submitted photo

Bay Bulls trims the paperwork for building permits

By Craig Westcott

Bay Bulls council has agreed to simplify the paperwork required for development applications.

At their regular public meeting Tuesday, councillors, with the exception of member Jason Sullivan, who was absent, voted unanimously to adopt a revised policy for development applications.

"We're just trying to simplify our process and our policies that have evolved over the years," said Deputy Mayor Jason O'Brien, who put forward the motion to change the application form for buildings and other new developments. "I think we’re going from 11 different application forms for various applications around our town. I think it's a great idea to go back to one simple form with a few different check boxes to keep things simple that people can understand and get the information that's required."

It was seconded by councillor Ethan Williams.

"Absolutely, deputy, I would certainly say the same," added Mayor Keith O'Driscoll. "It's certainly better and more streamlined, I'm sure, for our staff as well. So, it's good to see."

In other council news:

• Changes have been approved to the Town's road servicing list following a recent review.

The first change is that the Town will complete minor road upgrades to the laneways known as Des's Lane and Williams' Lane.

The motion to add the work was made by councillor Corey Ronayne and seconded by councillor Williams.

"Williams' Lane off Southside Road has kind of been overgrown the last few years," said Deputy Mayor O'Brien. "We reviewed the boundaries of the land in that area, and it was recommended to bring it back to where the right of way was previously defined. Similarly for Des's Lane, it's been very cumbersome for the snow clearing (equipment) in wintertime and for road grading and whatnot. So, we reviewed the same thing, we reviewed all the surveys for the area. There is an established right of way in these areas... There's room for us there to upgrade this to a drivable fashion so that the snow clearing can be done more at ease."

• Meanwhile, Nagle's Lane has been removed from the servicing list. Mayor O'Driscoll stepped aside for that part of the discussion and vote as he has a relative living in the area.

"I move to remove the laneway known as Nagle's Lane from the Town of Bay Bulls road servicing list," said councillor Williams after the mayor left the table.

The motion was seconded by councillor Ronayne.

O'Brien said after reviewing the boundaries and surveys it was determined there is no defined right of way on the lane. "It's basically personal property in this area," he said. "So, to do such development is not feasible. There's not (enough) space available to allow us to do that."

• Council has approved a list of properties that staff will move to auction off to recover some of the taxes owed on them.

The list includes properties at 15-21 Irishtown Road, 145 - 147 Northside Road, 145 Southside Road, 139 Southside Road, 13 - 17 Station Road, 106 - 108 Alley Road, 113 - 119 Alley Road, and 85-91 Southern Shore Highway.

Deputy Mayor O'Brien asked Town Clerk Ashley Wakeham to give council and those tuned in to the meeting an overview of the regulations pertaining to the tax sale and the reason for it.

"As per the Municipalities Act (1999), we are able to sell properties at an auction in order to collect outstanding arrears of three years plus, up to six years," said Wakeham.

• Council also gave approval to staff to initiate claims in Small Claims Court for some properties that owe taxes.

"The reason we're going this route is to try to collet the money that is owed to the Town for arrears and minimize their debt," said O'Brien.

• And finally, Bay Bulls will have a more prominent role on the Southern Shore Joint Council with the recent selection of Deputy Mayor O'Brien as the group's chairperson.

O'Brien reported that in addition to his own appointment, the members of the committee recently discussed efforts by telecommunications company Bell to improve its cellular services along the Southern Shore, and the need for better quality products to be used by the provincial government when it is painting the traffic lines on the Southern Shore Highway as it seems the lines wear off every year.

Recreation efforts nab provincial award for Bay Bulls

Recreation NL Board member Carla Sullivan presented the Recreation NL Active Communities Award to Mayor Keith O’Driscoll last Friday during a ceremony at the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre. Chad Feehan photo

By Chad Feehan / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Bay Bulls is the recipient of Recreation NL’s 2024 Active Community Award.

The honour is given to municipalities that work to identify and create facilities, open spaces, and opportunities for people to be active and engaged in their communities.

Mayor Keith O’Driscoll accepted the award on behalf of the Town at the Bay Bulls Lifestyle Centre last Thursday. It was presented by the recreation and facilities manager of the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre, Carla Sullivan, who is also a member of the board of directors of Recreation NL.

The Town opened a 2.5 km trail around Long Pond and is working on acquiring funding to complete the remaining 2.5 km to complete the full loop. In 2023, solar lights were installed so the trail could be enjoyed longer into the evening.

The Forgotten Corner, the former site of an old house turned gazebo and flower garden, has also been developed within the last five years. The area is located on the corner across from the Town Hall and affords a perfect view of the harbour.

In 2019 the Town partnered with Her Majesty’s Penitentiary project to see prisoners build and paint benches, garbage boxes, picnic tables, and flower boxes for placement throughout the community.

The Bay Bulls Lifestyle Centre, which is used for many recreational activities, has also received upgrades. In 2021 it saw the installation of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and an emergency generator. And last year, the centre’s outside facilities saw improvements to the playground, skatepark, basketball court, softball field and soccer field, thanks to funding from other levels of government and the Town contributing 20 per cent of the cost.

A refrigerated outdoor rink is also in development. The land for the rink has been cleared and leveled and awaits funding for its expected completion sometime this year. Last fall, the Town secured hockey boards from the Mary Brown’s Centre with help of the Bay Bulls Bauline Athletic Association, for eventual installation at the rink.

Volunteers to commemorate historic Petty Harbour church

By Mark Squibb

A volunteer committee is raising money to erect a storyboard to commemorate the former St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Petty Harbour.

Bonita Ryan of Blackhead, who sits on a committee largely made up of members of the former St. Joseph’s parish council and operated through St. Kevin’s Parish, said the idea for a storyboard commemorating the church arose when the building was put up for sale two years ago.

“It was very much a community building, and a part of the fabric of the town’s history,” said Ryan, who allowed the completion of a storyboard will hopefully serve as a sort of catharsis for parish members and the community at large.

The group also hopes to raise enough funds to buy a bench and pay for some landscaping work, so as to make a nice rest area for people to enjoy.

The group is still working to nail down a location within town. Ryan said it’s unlikely it will be at the site of the building itself as the property is now considered private property.

“Even if we got permission from the owners, the property could change hands so quick,” said Ryan. “So, we’re thinking a more public area within Petty Harbour.”

The committee had initially set a goal of $10,000 for the storyboard, bench, and beautification of the area, but have since surpassed that mark.

“Now that we know we have the money, and we can commit to a company, we said we would go and get a hard and fast estimate and pick a company,” said Ryan. “So, now we have the design we know we want, and we’re in the process of going back to the companies we have dealt with and get a firm estimate of what the sign will cost. If we end up with money left over, we’ve told people that we will put that into the cemetery in Petty Harbour.”

Ryan said the committee has hosted a number of different fundraisers — volunteers raised over $3,000 alone from a single kitchen party — and a number of people and businesses have donated, in addition to a few sizable anonymous donations.

Ryan pointed out there are already a number of storyboards scattered throughout the community commemorating the likes of the Power Station, the Bidgood’s property, and the Port Authority.

The history of Catholicism in Petty Harbour dates as far back as 1794, when clergy celebrated Mass in the Kieley home, as there was no church building.

Petty Harbour’s first Roman Catholic Church was built in 1835 and boasted stained glass from France and a bell from Germany. The church was dedicated to Saint Joseph.

The congregation at that time numbered over 700.

As the building began to suffer wear and tear over the years, the Diocese granted permission to build a new church in 1962.

The church in Blackhead, meanwhile, closed in 1990, and so Ryan had been faithfully attending Mass at St. Joseph’s in Petty Harbour up until it’s closure in 2022.

After its sale, the St. Joseph’s property was proposed first for use as a film studio, and later as a potential site for a new microbrewery, although those plans have not yet come to fruition.

The building is one of 43 properties approved for sale by the Supreme Court in 2022 to help settle compensation claims for victims of sexual and physical abuse by some Irish Christian Brothers and priests in Newfoundland dating as far back as the 1940’s.