City hires Telelink to take calls after hours

By Mark Squibb/July 8, 2022

Folks will now be able to get in touch with Mount Pearl City Hall after hours as the City has contracted Telelink for after hours phone answering services.

Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley brough forward the recommendation from the Corporate Services and Public Works Committee during last week’s public council meeting.

The service will cost the City some $21,390, HST included, annually, and it is anticipated that council will budget for the service in future years. Telelink was the lowest qualified bidder.

“This is a key way for residents and those within the city to contact us at any point,” said Kieley.

The motion was carried unanimously.

After hours would be considered hours outside regular City Hall operating times, such as weekends and holidays, and 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. weekdays.

St. Peter’s Junior High recognised students’ athletic accomplishments last week during the annual Python Athletics Celebration. From left to right are Athletes of the Year Brandon Philpott, Ben O’Brien, Leah Wicks and Kylie Sooley.

Construction resumes, expect delays, advises Rice

By Mark Squibb/June 30, 2022

It’s construction season across the province, and folks in Mount Pearl, like anywhere else, should expect delays as they move about this summer.

During this week’s public council meeting, councillor Mark Rice gave a construction update and outlined a number of projects the City will be undertaking this summer.

Repairs to the Old Placentia Road Pedestrian Underpass, for one, will resume during July through to August. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction during construction. Further communication will be issued through the City’s website and onsite signage.

Asphalt Renewal on Smallwood Drive between Commonwealth Avenue and Old Placentia Road will start next week. Construction is expected to last about six weeks, and periodic lane closures and traffic interruption is expected.

Asphalt repairs along Park Avenue are also underway, with approximately another week or so left to go. Repair and asphalt replacement for Commonwealth and Park Avenue (to Dunn’s Corner) bridges will follow completion of the Park Avenue asphalt repairs.

Rice noted that construction will be coordinated so that only one bridge will be shut down at a time.

“While traffic disruption will occur periodically at these locations, it will be minimized at peak early morning traffic time,” said Rice.

Work on each bridge is expected to last up to two weeks.

Crack sealing is also underway for the next couple of weeks.

Mount Pearl Junior Blades captain Jack Keough is up for the Male Athlete of the Year Award.

Mount Pearl approves new lighting for city facility parking lots

By Mark Squibb/June 17, 2022

Though the days have been getting longer, new lighting to be installed in Mount Pearl will mean folks can find their way come the dark winter months.

“Lighting installed in the Glacier Arena, Summit Centre, Library and Reid Centre parking lots require upgrading,” councillor Mark Rice informed his colleagues at Tuesday’s public council meeting. “The received quote from Newfoundland Power to complete the scope of work, including a restoration cost of $6,900 (HST included) and a total monthly cost of $1,455.47 (HST included) for rental of the poles, LED lights and underground feeds. In addition to these Newfoundland Power supplied lights, the City will remove the existing light poles and concrete bases located within the parking lots, and the wall mount brackets for reuse.”

Rice also brought forward a motion that the City approve a budget of $110,360.00 (HST included) to remove the existing light poles, concrete bases and wall mount brackets for reuse.

Councillor Bill Antle asked how long the work will take to complete and when residents should expect work to see it finished.

Director of Planning, Engineering, and Development Gerry Antle said the work would be undertaken later this summer and should be completed this fall.

Councillor Antle then asked if, during the process, there will be a time when the parking lot will be left dark.

The director replied that temporary lighting could be installed if need be. He added the City won’t take down the old lighting until Newfoundland Power has the new lights put in place.

Rice concurred with Director Antle, and said he had asked the same question when he first saw the recommendation.

The motion passed unanimously.

City has to up fee for commemorative benches

By Mark Squibb/June 17, 2022

Mount Pearl council says it has to increase the price residents pay for metal commemorative benches so as to help match the rising cost of material.

Councillor Jim Locke put forth the recommendation from the Corporate Services and Public Works Committee during this week’s public council meeting. It will see the cost of the Commemorative Bench and Tree Program’s Metal Bench and Plaque increase from $2,475 to $3,017.

“The cost of the metal benches went up, so basically we’re just simply passing on the additional costs for this particular type of bench,” said Locke, adding the cost of wooden benches will not increase.

“This program that the City offers is certainly having a large uptake over the last number of years,” said Locke. “This would cover the cost to the City for the purchase of the metal bench, plaque, and cement, and for the City to contribute the labour/equipment for installation as well as the 10 years of maintenance, and this according to the guidelines of our program. The new fee will commence with applications going forward. Any applications received before now will be charged the former price of $2,475.”

The motion passed unanimously.

RCMP Corporal Chris Ralph and Police Service Dog Thor conduct a tracking exercise as part of ongoing RCMP and RNC Police Dog Services training this week in St John’s, Mount Pearl and Paradise.