Holyrood’s public works chair promises to hold contractors ‘accountable’

By Craig Westcott/October 21, 2021

It was a three-way battle for the position of deputy mayor in Holyrood Tuesday night with councilor Michelle Woodford coming out on top.

One of the first items of business at the new council’s first full meeting was the selection of deputy mayor with chief administrative officer Gary Corbett calling for nominations from the floor. Woodford and councilors Steve Winsor and Curtis Buckle each expressed interest in the job, so it was up to Corbett to conduct a secret ballot. The results were three votes for Woodford and two each for Winsor and Buckle.

Mayor Gary Goobie also unveiled the committee roster for the start of the new term. 

The finance and administration committee will be chaired by councilor Laura Crawley and will include councilor Bruce King. The latter, who has 40 years experience in the military, will also chair the town’s public safety committee, which includes Buckle.

Planning and development will be chaired by Deputy Mayor Woodford and include Winsor. Recreation and community events will be chaired by Buckle and will include councilor Sadie King.

Public works and infrastructure will be headed by councilor Steve Winsor, who is a professional engineer and promised at the end of the meeting to “hold our contractors accountable.” That committee also includes Sadie King.

Business and marketing development will be chaired by the mayor and will include Woodford. The communications committee will be chaired by Crawley and includes Woodford.

The Town’s representative on the marina board will be councilor Winsor with another councilor to be named.

Councilor Bruce King will speak for the Town at Holyrood’s Heritage Committee, while Deputy Mayor Woodford and councilor Crawley will represent Holyrood at the Northeast Avalon Joint Council.

In other council news, Holyrood has received approval from the provincial government for a $1.48 million sewer upgrade project.

The funding will be split 90/10 meaning the town will have to borrow just $134,153 for its portion of the work with provincial taxpayers borrowing the rest.

“This will address the problems identified in the 2021 sewer study with the goal to improve the town’s collection and sewer treatment plant disinfection system,” said Goobie.

Council also approved building applications for four houses, located at 24-26 The Valley, 26 Harbourview Drive, 57 Conception Bay Highway, and 76 Kennedy’s Lane Extension.