CBS to sync ATV rules with those of the Province

By Craig Westcott/April 14, 2022

Now that the Province is making changes to ATV regulations, it’s important that the Town update its policies too, councillor-at-large Paul Connors said last week during the regular public council meeting.

Connors, who serves as council’s liaison with a local ATV committee, said he was pleased the provincial changes were discussed at council’s private, or committee of the whole, meeting. 

“I’m happy to report that the enforcement and administration committee is going to review the new provincial regulations, so I think it’s important that the Town adopt regulations which are in line with the new Act, so our residents are not confused by what is stated in the Act and what is allowed in our town,” Connors said. “I’ve been contacted by numerous law-abiding ATV users who only want to be able to legally use their bike in the town without fear of breaking the law or losing their bike. It’s important that we adopt regulations that complement the new provincial Act so there is no uncertainty for our residents.”

Mayor Darrin Bent agreed.

“Yes, we are going to do a great piece of work over the next little while regarding that because the new regulations from the Province will affect user and non-users and access areas and so forth,” the mayor pointed out. “And it could affect a number of neighbourhoods and areas and we need to make sure we have that information as the information is released and get that information out to our residents.”

The Province has announced it will unveil the new ATV regulations by May 19. Among the changes known to be taking effect will be a mandatory requirement to use helmets, and, for those vehicles that have them installed by the manufacturer, seatbelts. Other changes are expected to include safety training, supervision for underage operators, new rules governing use around highways, and increased fines.  

In other council news:

The steel is starting to go up on the long-awaited CBS Public Library next to the Recreational Complex and Town Hall in Long Pond.

“I know it’s been a long time coming as the result of Covid,” said councillor-at-large Rex Hillier. “There’s been a problem with procurement of steel, but as of this week our steel was delivered and workers there over the last couple of days are very, very busy putting up the girders. We’re certainly looking forward to when that building opens.”

And long time Town Clerk Gail Pomroy has received recognition from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) for her 20 years of service to Conception Bay South.

“She has been recognized by the CAMA for her long efforts and her work here at the town and the efforts that she has made as a town clerk as one of the top administrators with the town,” said Mayor Bent. “She’s our representative and liaison with (the Department of) Municipal Affairs, she works on so many different committees and oversees elections, and I could go on for a long time about the duties a town clerk performs. It’s one of the top roles in any municipality. So, I want to thank Gail Pomroy for her efforts.”