Mount Pearl getting compliments for its snow clearing, says Locke

It's been a tougher than usual winter, weather wise, but Mount Pearl's municipal workers are coping well with the challenges, according to councillor Jim Locke, who chairs the City's Public Works committee.

"They've been quite busy over the past couple of weeks," Locke reported to council last week. “ "Our crews have been and continue to work 24/7 to clean up from the most recent weather episodes."

The work includes widening streets and sidewalks in some areas with snowblowers, clearing snow from around fire hydrants, and removing the mini mountains of snow that sometimes get stacked in cul-de-sacs during storms. 

"We're received numerous compliments for the snow clearing operations from residents in various parts of the city," Locke said. "I know we had some hiccups when we had freezing rain and quick temperature changes, but they were quickly addressed. So, our crews have definitely been busy and we're pleased with the work that they're doing."

Locke said the department is also committed to keeping the City’s outdoor rinks operational. They were put out of commission for a while because of the mix of snowstorms mingled with spates of heavy rain that hit the Avalon in February.

"Our trail grooming is ongoing," added Locke. "I was out for a walk a couple of days back and had the pleasure of meeting one of our employees driving the groomer and again he mentioned the compliments he gets from all the walkers. They do a great job on the trails around the city."

Road maintenance is also ongoing as much as possible, Locke said.

"We're not doing any major road work, but with the freezing and thawing  we get these potholes that quickly appear," he said. "If there's some significant potholes brought to our attention, our crews will certainly be out working to repair those where possible."

And finally, Locke noted that thanks to the leak detection system the City implemented several years ago, Mount Pearl residents are among the lowest water users in the province and probably in Canada per capita. "We've been very aggressive with our leak detection," he said, noting a benefit of that is that it helps the water levels at the regional supply at Big Bulls Big Pond stay at a good height.

Mayor Dave Aker asked Public Works director Glen Dollimount to pass on the thanks of council for doing such a good job of coping with four seasons worth of weather in one month.

Must be February - Canada Post draws fire again

By Mark Squibb/February 24, 2023

Councillor Bill Antle invoked the mantle of former councillor Lucy Stoyles in calling down condemnation on Canada Post during this week’s public council meeting in Mount Pearl.

With Stoyles now serving in the House of Assembly, it fell to someone else in the chamber to take up the annual winter campaign to remind Canada Post to play by the rules when it comes to snow clearing and other issues.

“Councillor Lucy Stoyles would always bring up Canada Post, and I think every one of us got a call this week about Canada Post not plowing their mailboxes,” said Antle, who asked Director of Public Works Glen Dollimount, who is also the City’s Canada Post liaison, to speak to the matter.

“We’re constantly back and forth with Canada Post with concerns over the snow clearing issue,” Dollimount admitted. “As recently as today I’ve received an e-mail from my contact with Canada Post. They’ve acknowledged that there were some concerns over the past snow events and they’re adamant that they’re going to improve the services on a go-forward basis. So, again, we’re trying to maintain a (good working) relationship with Canada Post.”

Dollimount said the end goal is for Canada Post to clear the areas around the super mailboxes correctly, as it is not the City’s responsibility.

He said any concerns should be brought to him directly, so that he can pass them along to Canada Post.

Antle said he’s seen operators pushing snow from around the mailboxes out into the middle of the public road.

“If a private resident did that, they’d be getting a ticket,” said the councillor.

The discussion arose out of a larger discussion, mostly positive, about the City’s own snow clearing efforts.

Councillor Chelsea Lane did point out, however, that she has been getting some complaints from people about their neighbours throwing snow into the street. Lane said that creates hazards for people, including seniors and children, who have to clamber over large icy blocks of snow that harden when temperatures go below the freezing point.

“I understand it can be difficult when you are shovelling to try to throw the snow high enough, especially when we have a large amount,” she said. “But we all have to be accountable. With snow clearing, while much of it is the responsibility of the City, you also have responsibility too to your neighbours and to yourself to make sure that when you are clearing your driveway that you are doing it properly. There’s no rhyme or reason for you to be throwing snow onto the sidewalks and into the roads.”

Brandon Mullins left, and Jeremy Schwartz, both with the City, prepare a warming pit for the residents and visitors attending the party. Craig Westcott photo

Stan Nochasak of Nain, Sophie Augnatok, also of Nain, centre, and Solomon Semigak of Makkovik opened the Winter Block party hosted by the City of Mount Pearl at Centennial Square last Saturday with some traditional Inuit drumming and songs. Craig Westcott photo

City pretty pleased with seniors group

By Mark Squibb/February 17, 2023

The City of Mount Pearl will continue to help fund a very active community group into the near future.

During last week’s meeting, councillor Chelsea Lane brought forward a motion to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City and the Mount Pearl Seniors Independence Group for the period January 1, 2023 until December 31, 2025. The MOU includes the provision of an annual operating subsidy in the amount of $50,000.

“We’re very proud of our Senior Independence Group here in Mount Pearl and we’re happy to continue to support them any way we can,” said Lane.

Council also approved a round of milestone event funding as the group celebrates 25 years of incorporation.

That funding, $10,000 in total, will be awarded to the group in two instalments of $5,000.

“This is something we do for most of the groups in our City when they celebrate 25 years,” explained councillor Bill Antle. “I think there are over 500 people involved in that group, and they’re quite active here in the City of Mount Pearl, and so I’m certainly proud to recommend this.”

Councillor Jim Locke said it’s hard to believe it’s already been 25 years since the group was formed and spoke to the value of the group to the city.

“We have upwards of 500 members, and I’ve been doing some reading recently on seniors and loneliness and social isolation,” said Locke. “Loneliness and social isolation have significant health impacts. I was reading in the UK that it’s the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It impacts your heart, it impacts your mind, in terms of dementia, it impacts heart attacks, strokes. It’s an issue that I think we need to turn more attention to.”

He noted, not for the first time in council chambers, that the UK back in 2017 instituted a Minster of Loneliness. He said Japan has done similarly.

Locke said what many seniors missed most during the lockdown was social connection afforded by group activities – such as bingo.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Locke. “The annual operating subsidy of $50,000 is good money spent on seniors who have built this city for us.”

Councillor Mark Rice echoed those sentiments, and Mayor Dave Aker added the group is involved in many Frosty Festival activities and its members are collecting donations for the food bank throughout the winter months.

“So, this is the least we can do to help a legacy group in the City of Mount Pearl who continue to give back to the community,” said Aker.

Both motions passed unanimously.

Mount Pearl preparing for very busy construction season

By Mark Squibb/February 17, 2023

The snow is still on the ground, and likely will be for some time, but Mount Pearl is already preparing for a busy construction season.

Councillor Mark Rice gave a capital and maintenance project update report during last week’s public meeting.

“Tender documents are currently being prepared for the upcoming 2023 construction season, which is going to be a busy one,” said Rice.

Those tenders are for maintenance work and include a 2023 crack sealing tender (currently being drafted), 2023 to 2026 line painting tender (currently being drafted) and a 2023 asphalt and concrete tender, which is currently under development.

Rice spoke briefly to the line painting tender.

“Hopefully we’ll have multiple bids on that so we won’t have the typical one person bidding on that so we can get some good pricing,” said Rice.

Next, Rice noted the City is currently in the midst of two construction projects that are to be completed this calendar year: the pedestrian underpass, which is expected to be completed in June and the St. David’s Park Smart Accessible Playground.

Rice then highlighted a number of capital projects that have been recently awarded, including full replacement of the section of Spruce Avenue from Croucher to Commander, full replacement of Birch Avenue, full replacement of the section of Roosevelt Avenue from Donovan Street to Ruth Avenue section, full replacement (excluding watermain) and installation of structural watermain liner along Billard Avenue.

These projects are expected to be completed by fall of 2024.

The City is also negotiating a number of other projects, including the construction of a long awaited civic centre.

Requests for proposals and requests for quotes are estimated to be completed early in 2023, with construction expected to begin later this year. The centre is expected to be finished by late 2024.

The City first announced plans to construct the new civic centre in July 2021. The 18,000 square foot centre, which will be located at the Team Gushue Sports Complex, will accommodate social, arts, and recreation events, and will have spaces dedicated for community group use.

Other projects being negotiated include full replacement of underground services on Wyatt Boulevard, Farrell Drive (Topsail to Evans section), the Farrell Drive Pumphouse, Jacqueline Road, First Street (from civic #17 to Glendale), Kean Place, and an unspecified climate change project.

“So, as you can see it is going to be a busy time coming up for our City this summer,” said Rice. “There’s going to be a lot of traffic being re-routed in certain areas. But one thing we’re looking forward to is all these projects getting started and getting completed.”

Councillor Bill Antle asked why the City was replacing just a section of Spruce Avenue and not the whole road.

Director of Infrastructure and Public Works Gerry Antle said the decision was keeping in line with the City’s asset management plan, and that replacement depends on the age of the underground infrastructure.

The report did not require a vote of council, as the various projects had been approved in previous meetings.

This time, says Antle, it's personal

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2023

During this week’s public meeting round table discussion, a time when councillors raise individual concerns, praise the accomplishments of residents, and make mention of noteworthy things happening in the community, councillor Bill Antle raised an issue that we’ve all likely had some experience with in the past.

“I’ll try not to get upset because this is a personal thing for me, and it may be a personal thing for everyone else here,” said Antle. “We walk the trails and people don’t pick up after their dogs. And this is why it’s personal — because this morning I walked the trails, and it’s covered in snow, and you’re walking on dog feces. People think because it’s covered, it’s going to rot. In Mount Pearl, we supply the bags. On most of the poles you can find a bag to pick up after your dog. It’s so easy to do.”

Antle said it’s common for dog feces left on the trail to become covered by snow which makes it impossible for residents to detect — and therefore, avoid.

“Pick up after your dog,” said Antle. “It’s the right thing to do. I don’t know how many times we have to tell people to do that, or how we can get this problem to stop. It’s the right thing, the polite thing to do.”

Mayor Dave Aker acknowledged the issue, but also took a moment to note what a great addition the trail system is to the City.

“We just ask our animal lovers to respect everybody’s cleanliness and hygiene and respect for the environment,” said Aker.

Council approves massage therapy businesses

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2023

Mount Pearl City council this week approved not one, but two new massage therapy businesses.

First up for approval was an application by Maranatha Therapeutics to operate a Home Business at 16 Harvard Drive to accommodate a registered massage therapy clinic. The business will operate Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The applicant expects about six clients per day.

“Prior to making their decision, council invited comments in writing no later than 12:00 noon, Friday, December 30, 2022, and no submissions were received by the City expressing interest in attending a briefing session, and as a result, the scheduled briefing session was cancelled,” said councillor Isabelle Fry.

Council also approved an application from Sunrise Massage Therapy to operate a Home Business at 5A Sunrise Avenue to accommodate a registered massage therapy clinic. The business will operate Tuesday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. for approximately 30 hours a week, and the applicant expects four to six clients a day.

For that application, council also invited comments by a noon deadline on Friday, December 30. No submissions were received, and a scheduled briefing session was cancelled.

Both applications are subject to conditions set by the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, and the City of Mount Pearl’s Inspection Services, Municipal Enforcement division, Finance division, Planning division, and development regulations.

Mayor Dave Aker noted there was obviously a demand for this kind of work.

Both applications were approved unanimously.