Puffin Patrol Program temporarily suspended

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is temporarily suspending the Puffin Patrol Program, based in Witless Bay, over concerns of bird flu.

“Due to the uncertainty of the Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), and for the safety of residents and volunteers, we have decided to temporarily suspend the program for the public this summer,” said CPAWS NL Conservation Director Suzanne Dooley in a news release. “We want to ensure the safety of all participants and local residents and until we know more details, we had to make this decision.”

CPAWS reminds folks that if you see a dead, injured, or sick bird, do not touch it, but instead, report it to the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

Residents are also asked to report sightings of puffin strandings to Puffin & Petrel Patrol NL.

Over the last decade, volunteers with the Puffin Patrol program have rescued over 4,000 stranded juvenile puffins. All birds rescued are assessed and banded by the Canadian Wildlife Services (CWS) and released back to sea.

Mullowney not running this time

By Mark Squibb/August 19, 2022

For the first time in over three decades, Harold Mullowney won’t be putting his name forward as a council candidate.

A call for nominations to Bay Bulls council has been scheduled for August 24, following the resignation of Mayor Neil O’Brien earlier this summer.

“No,” Mullowney said with a hearty chuckle when asked if he would be putting his name forward. “I’m enjoying my time. I was there for over 30 years, I enjoyed it while I was there, no problem. I said, if you recall, when they had the last election, ‘I hope they have the dedication and commitment to do the job that the people of Bay Bulls deserve.’ And I also said that they need to do nothing for the first year and a half or two years but execute the work that we have lined up.”

Mullowney spent 31 years on council, many of those as either deputy mayor or mayor. In the municipal election held last September, Mullowney earned 243 votes — 21 votes less than he needed to land a seat. Because council had earlier in the year sought ministerial approval to operate as a complement of five members, and not the traditional seven, only five members were elected, a decision that caused some controversary at the time.

Had a full slate of seven members been elected, Mullowney would have earned a seat. Instead, all incumbent members of council were voted out of office, and five new members were voted in.

For those thinking of putting their names forward, Mullowney offered some advice.

“I think anyone who runs for elected office has to realize that it’s a big job, and you’ve got to have your heart in it, you’ve got to be committed to the people, and you’ve got to be there for the right reasons,” said Mullowney. “And if you can’t do that, you have no business, really, putting your name forward.”

Aside from council, Mullowney also recently finished up a term as chairman of the Eastern Regional Services Board (ERSB), although he’s still involved in a number of organizations, including the East Coast Trail Association.

And although he’s sitting out this race, he didn’t shut the door completely on municipal politics.

“I’m enjoying my time free from council at this point in the game,” said Mullowney. “My wife is quite pleased that I’m stepping aside from a few things. But you know, who knows what the future will bring. You can always change your mind.”

Witless Bay defers hiring of Town Planner

The Town of Witless Bay has deferred the hiring of a new Town Planner.

Awarding the tender for the new planner was on the agenda for this week’s meeting, but councillor Ralph Carey motioned that council defer awarding the contract pending interviews, and councillor Gerard Dunne seconded the motion. Council voted unanimously in favour of the motion.

The Town issued the tender for a new town planner during a special meeting back in May.

In e-mails following that meeting, town staff explained that former town planner Paul Boundridge’s contract had expired in May, as per the agreed-upon terms.

Staff explained the Town is required to allow others who wish to submit a tender for the contract the opportunity to do so.

Although the awarding of the tender was deferred, council did appoint a number of current staff to Access to Information and Protection of Privacy positions.

The Town appointed Geraldine Caul as ATIPP Head, Katherine Doyle as ATIPP Coordinator, and Cassie O’Rielly as ATIPP Alternate Coordinator.

O'Driscoll acclaimed as mayor of Bay Bulls

Bay Bulls council has acclaimed councillor Keith O’Driscoll as its new mayor.

The election of mayor was the first item of business to be dealt with at this week’s meeting, following former mayor Neil O’Brien’s resignation from the position back in July. O’Brien left because his job has necessitated his relocation to the United States.

Councillor Jason Sullivan nominated O’Driscoll to serve as the new mayor. Councillor Shannon O’Driscoll, Keith’s wife, seconded it. No other names were put forward, and O’Driscoll was acclaimed mayor effective immediately.

“As the new mayor of Bay Bulls, I would first like to thank our deputy mayor, Jason O’Brien, for taking the reins for the last month,” said O’Driscoll. “I’d also like to thank our previous mayor, Neil O’Brien, for his time as mayor. I would like to wish him and his family the best.”

Had there been another candidate, council would have conducted a secret ballot.

O’Driscoll received the highest vote count in the 2021 fall election, and had been nominated for the position of mayor by Shannon O’Driscoll back in September, but lost out to O’Brien.

A nomination date to fill the vacant seat on council was set for August 24, with an election, if need be, on September 14.

Plan tabled to develop former Holyrood Pond Park near the Gaskiers

Plans to redevelop the long-shuttered former Provincial Park at Holyrood Pond into a park for RVs appears to be afoot again.

This week, the Department of Environment reported the registration of a proposal to construct a recreational vehicle park with a day park at Holyrood Pond in Gaskiers, which is located on Route 90, in St. Mary’s Bay. The proposed site is 23.5 hectares in size.

The deadline for public comments is August 26, 2022. Minister Bernard Davis’ decision on the application is due by September 4, 2022.

There have been a number of attempts since the closure of the park to reactivate the former campground or convert it to an RV park. Holyrood Pond is the largest inland body of water on the Avalon Peninsula. Holyrood Pond was among a number of provincial parks closed by the Liberal government in the 1990s as it dealt with a huge financial crunch in the wake of the cod moratorium and the fallout of heavy borrowing having been done by the government it replaced.

The people behind the latest proposal, Frank and Rennie Tobin, plan to rename the park, Serenity Shores at Holyrood Pond. It would contain more than 32 sites for RVs, motorhomes, trailers and caravans, as well as seven small cabins and 22 “glamping” tents. There will also be five outdoor portable bathrooms and a boat dock for canoes.

The development will be conducted over five phases in as many years, according to the document filed with the Environment Department. The proponents estimate the construction will employ two to 10 workers , and once open, employ anywhere from one to six workers depending on the amount of business during the tourist season.

Witless Bay awards tender for softball field

By Mark Squibb/July 29, 2022

It’s good news for softball players in Witless Bay.

Council has awarded a tender to O’Brien’s Trucking for $38,525, HST included, to start upgrades on the pitch.

Councillor Jacob Hayden said the improvements will bring the softball field up to standard.

The work is to be completed with federal funding. The Town received $120,000 from ACOA in February to “enhance outdoor space to improve accessibility and safety and increase recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.”

Upgrades are to include new playground equipment, ballfield renovations and trail system improvements.

Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and Gerard Dunne declared conflicts of interest and did not vote on the matter.

In other news, council is looking to move its dog park, pending a feasibility study on the cost of such a venture.

“We’ve had multiple requests since we’ve come into office about better access to our dog park,” said Hayden. “People have requested that we move it as well, into a better area.”

Hayden added that folks from neighbouring communities enjoy bringing their pooches to the park.

Councillor Alex Troake said if the cost is reasonable, the Town ought to look at relocating the park to the playground area, which is something, he added, residents have requested.

The motion to move the dog park, pending a feasibility study, passed unanimously.