By Mark Squibb | Vol. 12 No. 26 (December 18, 2019)
Witless Bay’s new “old” mayor is looking towards a productive year ahead for his town.
Derm Moran was elected to council in a by-election Oct. 9, following the resignations of councillors Chris Brinston and Neil Stratton. Councillor David Ryan was also the same time as Moran.
Following Mayor Rene Estrade’s resignation for health reasons in November, Moran was elected by council to the Mayor’s seat, a position he initially occupied during an earlier term on council some six to 10 years ago.
Since then, another new face has joined the chamber, Dale O’Driscoll, who was acclaimed to the position Nov. 14.
The fall flurry of nomination days and by-election calls has left Witless Bay with a full sleight of councillors in time for the New Year.
“We have a good mixture of people in our council,” said Moran. “It’s an open minded (council). You do have your little conflicts, which is healthy. Because you can’t have everybody ‘yes, yes, yesing’ things. By people having a different point of view, it opens up your eyes and you say, ‘Oh, maybe I wasn’t thinking that out completely.’”
Looking over the past year, especially since his own election, Moran said there has been plenty on the go, including the recent 39th annual Kinsmen Club Santa Clause Parade.
“This year there was an excellent turn out, it was one of the largest crowds we’ve had. It was very encouraging,” said Moran. “The Tree Lighting Ceremony was that same day, Dec. 7, and we had a very nice turnout (as well).” Moran noted it was especially nice seeing so many young people and babies.
The mayor said council completed several projects in 2019, including putting new siding on the municipal building, completing road work on South Side Track, building an extension on the Puffin Centre, creating a turnaround for snow clearing equipment on Mulloway’s Lane, completing brush cutting near Dean’s Road, cleaning up an area near Lower Pond, and installation of poly carp on the baseball field fence.
Another major project completed in 2019 was the installation of a storm break at the end of Gallows Cove Road for people who park their cars while they access the East Coast Trail, or just to look out over the sea. But that work did not happen without some controversy.
The work began earlier this year, but came to a halt in August when it was discovered the Town had not received the proper permit from the provincial government to conduct work within 15 metres of the ocean’s high watermark. The project was also delayed at times by several local protesters who turn out whenever they see activity near the end of Gallows Cove Road fearing it signals development of a subdivision near Ragged Beach.
“The erosion project, as of now, that’s pretty well finished,” said Moran, adding that all that is left to do is maybe tidy up and place safety markers.
The mayor is hoping that a motion passed this fall will finally allay the fears of the few local protestors.
“Down on Ragged Beach area, there will be no subdivision,” Moran said.
“The town council, in 2019, made a motion, that has been ratified now, that there would be no subdivisions near the East Coast Trail, or Ragged Beach. That needs to be emphasized,” Moran said. The motion was put forward by council in November and ratified in December.
Meanwhile, Moran is looking forward to a productive year for Witless Bay. In the works for 2020 are plans for new playground equipment and work on recreational grounds, as well as plenty of excitement about Come Home Year.
“The committee is in place, and they have been quite active,” he said.
Council is looking at having a regional fire station constructed for Witless Bay, having submitted a feasibility study to the provincial government, as well as upgrading the position of volunteer fire chief to a paid position.
Council has applied to the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment for money under its capital works cost sharing program for the proposed new regional fire station. If approved, the province would pick up 90 per cent of the construction cost, leaving 10 per cent for Witless Bay taxpayers.
Currently, the volunteer department, which covers the region from Bay Bulls to Bauline, operates out of the municipal building.
“The population of the region is increasing,” noted Moran, suggesting that means a heavier workload for firefighters.
The 2016 census placed the population of Witless Bay at just over 1,600 people.
Doran said there are now about 770 houses, with an average of maybe three people in a home, so the population has significantly increased since then.
“And we’re still getting requests for houses to be built,” said Moran, who noted council reviews two or three construction requests per meeting.
He said that given its location, moving to Witless Bay makes a lot of sense for many people living on the Southern Shore.
“It’s an area that’s centered. They want to be close to town, and have easy access to St. John’s, plus they’re close to their parents and grandparents,” said Moran. “We seem to be ideally located.”
But Witless Bay is more than just a way station between St. John’s and the rest of the Southern Shore, Moran added. It’s an ideal place to live, he argued, with an active fire department, lots of recreational activities, and, he added jokingly, even a Tim Horton’s.
Moran said he would like to finish the year by thanking the community for its support during the year, and wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
