Costs go up on old swimming pool cleanup

By Chad Feehan Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

 December 20, 2023

The City made a recent funding contribution from the Province official last week, by passing a motion to accept some $6,467,086 in multi-year capital works funding for 2023-2026.
About half the money will cover part of the cost of a new community centre, which had previously been announced The facility will replace the building on Park Place and include amenities such as a splash pad and skating rink.

Other public works projects covered by the funding include more upgrades to the water and sewer service on Holden Street at a cost of some $2.85 million.
In other infrastructure-related news, the cost of removing an underground tank at the location of the former swimming pool on Stapleton Road has jumped by $3,375 after contractor associated fees to Pinchin Limited were approved by council.
The contract for a hazardous building materials assessment and oil tank assessment and supervision was previously awarded to Pinchin in the amount of $23,891. However, this amount did not include the costs of a contractor removing the tank. Work is set to be expedited to be completed before the winter season.
And an application to use a portion of a dwelling on Westminister Drive to operate a seamstress and tailoring business called Your Taylor was also approved by council last week.
The hours of operation of the proposed business will be 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and the permit does not allow for any construction, accessory buildings, storage of goods, or signage.
All the motions were passed by council unanimously.

Craft Fair at Church of the Ascension

Artist Darrell Yetman of Whiteway was at the Crafting Until Christmas fair at the Church of the Ascension on the weekend of December 16, selling his paintings of idyllic, rural Newfoundland settings. To the right of Yetman is a painting of his old buddy Jack Hambling, a re-creation of a sketch he made of his friend while fishing on the North Harbour River in St. Mary’s Bay, sometime in the late 80’s. The pair hiked for an hour and a half through bog and marsh to get to the spot, only to watch the sunset soon after their arrival. In fact, they didn’t even catch anything that day. “The only bites we got were from flies and mosquitoes,” Yetman said. Although Yetman would go on to give Humphries a painting of another scene in the area, his friend died before seeing the painting of himself. “This one is one of my favorites,” Yetman said, pointing to the work. “I still have the original.” Chad Feehan/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Photo

Police cap off stolen beer investigation with eight more charges

By Staff / December 20, 2023

Police say they have identified the man who stole a 24-bottle case of beer from a convenience store in Mount Pearl on Remembrance Day.

That’s doubly bad news for the 50-year-old in question, as it turned out he already had eight outstanding warrants for his arrest and was allegedly “actively evading police,” according to a police spokesperson.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary was able to identify the suspect using CCTV footage from the store.

Mount Pearl Lion's Club make donation to St. Vincent de Paul Society

December 8, 2023 Edition

The Mount Pearl Lion's Club this week made a cash donation of $2,956 to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which operates three food banks in the area. Part of the donations were given by residents attending the Lion’s Mount Pearl Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, with Scotiabank also contributing $500 to the amount. On hand for the presentation were, starting in the front, from left: Robyn Kenny, Sandra Milmore, Bianca Castro; and in the back, from left: Back: Doug Evely, Roxanne Oates, Bonnie Evely, Sean Keats, Major Morgan Hillier, Doug Cantwell, Bob Lovette, and Lion's Club President Sasha Oates. Chad Feehan photo

ACOA to help City with Summer Games costs

By Chad Feehan

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

December 8, 2023 Edition

Gas tax funds originally allocated for Mount Pearl’s contribution to the 2025 Canada Summer Games have been sent back to the City’s coffers.

Funding from ACOA will take the place of the $475,298 in federal gas tax funding, and will be spent on upgrades to the Team Gushue baseball facility, as well as work on the Branscombe’s Pond and Power’s Pond trails.

Councillor Jim Locke said this will allow the gas tax money to be spent on other priorities and projects.

Council originally applied for permission to use the Gas Tax funds for the Summer Games this past August. 

The work at the baseball pitch, meanwhile, will include increased accessibility to the facility, a switch from sand to clay in the infield, the addition of a second batting cage, and a remodeling of the bullpen which will see two pitchers mounds on each side for warmups.

Council hopes to avoid subterranean homebuilding blues

By Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
December 8, 2023 Edition

Mount Pearl council has approved a request from Newfoundland Power to power homes on Moffat Road overhead from the rear of the lot, while powering street lighting underground in the front.

Previously, streetlights have usually been powered overhead.

Newfoundland Power says it will be only servicing lots from the street in all subsequent developments, but in the case of Moffat Road, rear servicing was the only option.

Councillor Mark Rice made the motion to allow the design.

Engineering director Gerry Antle explained Newfoundland Power prefers streetside, underground service because it’s more convenient for maintenance and the equipment is protected from the elements.

Director Antle’s department is concerned with identifying any possible conflicts between Newfoundland Power’s underground utilities with that of the City’s underground infrastructure such as water and sewer lines.

“Our preference would be to try to avoid those conflicts,” Antle said. “We would prefer that the Newfoundland Power lines are overhead, and we keep our services underground.”

As heavy winds whipped through the city at the time of the meeting, Councillor Jim Locke asked if advanced planning for the to-be-developed Northlands will allow for underground service to avoid being affected by the elements.

“Given the climate changes that we’re seeing and the increased frequency and intensity of such episodes outside today, I just think it would be prudent if we went underground,” he said.

Mayor Dave Aker referenced instances where homes around Power’s Pond and Newtown Elementary could not get new cables installed because of the increased cost of underground maintenance, and wondered if all utility providers could work together in an ongoing partnership.

Director Antle explained that a partnership is the only way work of this manner gets done, and that managing risks such as repairing water and sewer lines in the presence of underground power is the primary concern.

“There’s a risk that you’re taking with it being underground,” he said.

The motion regarding Moffatt Road was carried unanimously after council agreed to discuss the servicing of ongoing housing developments sometime in the future.

“We just want to make sure we don’t get stuck with housing that's not fully serviced,” said Aker.

68th annual Mount Pearl Lions Club parade

Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
December 8, 2023 Edition

The 68th annual Mount Pearl Lions Club parade drew a crowd this past Saturday as excited children and adults lined the route from Mount Pearl Senior High to Mount Pearl Square. Among the many parade participants were minor hockey players, dancers, superheroes, animals, and everyone's favorite man in the big red suit, Santa. Also on hand were floats from local businesses including Dream Parties NL, which was represented by, from left: Natalie Smith, Eliza King and Jana Gillis. A favourite with the younger set was Melvin the Lion's Club Mascot, who is a good buddy of Lion Russell Corbett. Chad Feehan photos

A favourite with the younger set was Melvin the Lion's Club Mascot, who is a good buddy of Lion Russell Corbett. Chad Feehan photos

Witless Bay awards road work for Southside Track

By Mark Squibb
December 8, 2023 Edition

Witless Bay council approved a contract for road repairs along Southside Track during November’s public meeting.

Council voted to award the work to the lowest compliant bidder, O’Brien’s Trucking Ltd., for $16,363, plus HST.

Councillor Ralph Carey explained the work will take place near the Puffin Centre. He noted there were a number of bidders for the job.

Gerard Dunne declared a conflict as the company he works for bid on the tender.

The motion was approved unanimously, excepting that Dunne did not participate due to the declared conflict of interest.

Council also approved a request for the installation of speed limit and ‘Children at Play’ signs on Gallows Cove Road.

Councillor Jacob Hayden suggested that residents who wish for signs along their road send in their requests.

“Over the years, you kind of have to move your ‘Children at Play signs’ around,” said Hayden. “As people get older, there may not be any children on that road anymore.”

Hayden said residents who want such a sign should make the request to council, as council does not know which roads have children living on them and which roads do not.

Cost of running Town Hall up $250,000 in Witless Bay

By Mark Squibb
December 8, 2023 Edition

The cost to keep the Town Hall up and running in Witless Bay has increased over $250,000 according to figures contained in council’s budget for 2024.

Compared to Budget 2023, monies allocated for local government have increased to $704,886 from $450,320.

The total spent on salaries is projected to increase from $188,254 this past year to $251,600, next year. The payroll burden, which includes the Town’s share of Canada Pension Plan contributions, employment insurance fees, and payroll taxes, has increased from $16,358 to $55,854. Employee benefits are going up from the $2,000 budgeted this past year to $18,375, while professional development and training costs will rise from $6,000 in 2023 to $37,200. Costs for professional services, which include consultant fees and legal fees, is forecast to go up from $54,500 this year to $72,000 in next year.

Across the board there are some variations expected between the two budget years.

The Town is anticipating about $79,000 more in tax revenue this year, and council is also working with a $71,700 surplus from last year.

The protective services budget is down to $189,940 from $294,888, while transportation services is down to $189,940 from $294,888. Environmental health services, which includes garbage collection, is forecast to go down to $151,000 from the $205,750 allocated this year. Recreation spending will drop to $57,500 from the $91,900 set aside last year.

The planning and development budget meanwhile is up to $46,000 from $37,500.

The budget and 2024 tax structure sees the residential and commercial mil rate held at 5 and 10 mils respectively.