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.

Nawaz answers Witless Bay byelection call

By Mark Squibb

Former Witless Bay councillor Margaret Swain has appealed council’s decision to dismiss her from council and will be taking the matter to the Supreme Court.

Due to Swain’s appeal, Minister of Municipal Affairs John Haggie has approved the Town’s request to defer a byelection for one of three council vacancies until February 19, 2025, pending the outcome of the appeal. That approval came on Tuesday May 14, one day ahead of the Town’s Nomination Day.

A further snag occurred on Nomination Day itself, when only one candidate offered to run. Recent Mobile Central High School graduate Justina Nawaz was the sole candidate to step forward and was acclaimed to council. She could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The lack of contenders for a byelection will leave two seats vacant on council as it awaits the conclusion of Swain’s appeal.

Swain was kicked off council over an allegation of conflict of interest in February.

The rookie councillor was accused by councillors Ralph Carey and Gerard Dunne of having broken the rules by discussing at council a proposed Land Reserve for Ragged Beach when she has friends who own land in the area. Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard and her husband and fellow councillor Alan Richards voted in support of Carey’s motion. Mayor Trevor Croft and councillor Jacob Hayden voted against it. The motion carried, and Swain was ejected from office. Yard and Richards have since quit council, which along with Swain’s ejection was the reason for the byelection call to fill three seats.

Swain would not comment on her appeal this week.

Woman attacked by dog in Witless Bay

By Mark Squibb

A Witless Bay man is scheduled to return to Provincial Court next month to deal with a matter related to his neighbour allegedly being attacked by his dog.

On April 2, members of the Ferryland RCMP detachment responded to a report that a woman had been attacked and injured by an untethered dog on Gullies Road in Witless Bay. Officers investigated the incident and determined the animal was a danger to the general public.

Police advised the owner to keep the dog secured while they sought an application for destruction of the animal under the Animal Health and Protection Act. That application was filed with the court and a hearing was scheduled for April 30. The matter has since been adjourned until June 11.

House construction picking up again in Witless Bay

By Mark Squibb

Residents of Gallows Cove Road and Country Path Drive in Witless Bay may find themselves preparing ‘Welcome to The Neighbourhood’ baskets before too long.

Council approved a number of new home construction permits during its April public meeting.

Among them were two construction permits for new family homes on Gallows Cove Road. For one of those proposed dwellings, council also approved a variance application for a 10 percent increase in a building setback. That construction approval is conditional upon the applicant signing a waiver absolving the Town of any responsibility in the event of water runoff if the grade of the development is below Gallows Cove Road.

Council also approved three separate family home construction applications along Country Path Drive, as well as an accessory building at a Northside Track Road residence and another one at Greenhill Drive.

All motions were approved unanimously.

Mobile students once again Shave for the Brave

Grade 6 students Jaxon Richards, left, and Keeghan Wellon (left photo), and Grade 10 students Cody Ryan, left, and Cole Kelly raised a combined $1,800 last week with a Shave for the Brave at Mobile Central High School.

By Mark Squibb

Mobile Central High School (MCHS) hosted its 15th annual Shave for the Brave last week.

“I think cancer is something that everybody has been impacted by,” said organizer and teacher Charlene Power. “And I think there’s a novelty to shaving your head.”

The event was organized by the MCHS student council with support from Mal Parrot of Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC). Novalee Colbert of A Cut Above Hair Salon in Witless Bay volunteered her time and talent and tools to shear the students.

The schools four participants, Keeghan Wellon and Jaxon Richards of Grade 6 and Cole Kelly and Cody Ryan of Grade 10, raised over $1,800 between the four of them.

"When I heard Shave for the Brave was going on at my school, I knew right away I had to participate,” said Richards. “My mom's best friend just finished chemo and I wanted to support her through her journey battling cancer."

Ryan said he participated in honour of those who fought and continue to fight the disease.

“I did Shave for the Brave for my pop who passed from cancer two years ago, and for my other family members who have died and who have survived cancer,” said Ryan.

Kelly said he took part to bring hope to others and to inspire others to become part of a wonderful cause. Likewise, Wellon said he wanted to participate to raise money to help those battling the disease.

School staff, meanwhile, believe MCHS has hosted more consecutive Shave for the Brave events than any other school in the province.

Even the pandemic did not waylay students, who raised funds virtually and shaved in their living rooms.

Power added that students at the school are eager to raise money for a number of worthy community causes. She also recognised the work of the twenty-some-odd members of the school’s student council ahead of the function.

“The student council did a lot of work, decorating for and promoting the event,” said Power. “They really amped it up and promoted it ahead of time.”

Student council members, said Power, are typically called upon to give school events that little bit of extra pizzazz.