Bay Roberts council disagrees with resident over flood map claim

By Mark Squibb/March 10, 2022

A recent e-mail from a resident requesting help from the town has been denied, but council is looking into some other claims made in the same correspondence.

The request came from a resident on Shearstown Road regarding recent flooding.

Mayor Walter Yetman recommended that, along with denying the request for assistance, council send the resident a copy of the ‘actual’ flood risk mapping, as the land, according to the town’s mapping, is not in a flood zone.

That motion was moved by councilor Dean Franey and seconded by councilor Ross Petten.

“She said that they couldn’t get insurance because they were in a flood plane, or they’re in the flood mapping, but we checked, and that’s not right,” said Yetman. “They’re not in the flood zone. So, insurance should be available.”

Deputy Mayor Geoff Seymour, however, had some questions regarding the correspondence.

“I think there’s something here that we need to address,” said Seymour. “There’s accusations of people diverting water, which certainly causes me concern because that’s a no no.”

Seymour said it ought to be investigated.

Yetman turned the conversation back to the request for help and recommended that be dealt with first. He asked Seymour if he would be happy to have the Public Works committee review the other matters. Seymour agreed.

The motion to deny the request passed unanimously, and Seymour then made a motion to refer the e-mail back to Public Works to investigate claims of both water diversion and snow clearing issues. That motion also passed unanimously.

Franey asked when the flood map was last updated, especially given the change in weather in recent years.

Yetman said he didn’t know, but that it would be worth looking into. He said that staff could find out when the last update was, and if an update is necessary.