Carbonear in for a big year, says Mayor
By Mark Squibb/December 30, 2022
Good things are happening in Carbonear.
That’s according to Mayor Frank Butt, who said 2022 was a great year for the Town, and 2023 looks just as bright.
Butt said he’s proud of a number of special events the Town put off this year, including the Harvest Festival and various Christmas activities, which were helped with funding from federal and provincial sources. He credits economic development and tourism officer Kerri Abbott, and other staff, with finding that money.
Residents and municipalities across the country have faced difficulties with the price and supply of materials and services this past. The Town of Carbonear is no different.
“One of the challenges is getting the supply of materials needed to complete jobs,” said Butt. “The other part of it is the cost of equipment is certainly going up. So, you have the cost of purchasing the equipment, and the materials to do construction jobs, and then the inflation rate of seven per cent.”
He noted several capital works projects that were delayed due to the pandemic will move ahead in 2023, along with projects approved this past year.
“So, it’s going to be a really busy time, construction wise, in the Town of Carbonear,” said Butt.
One notable project that was delayed this past year was completion of phase two of the downtown revitalization.
“We were hoping to have shovels in the ground after July 1,” said Butt. “But unfortunately, the tender didn’t get out in time, and so it got delayed. It’s a little disappointing, because I speak to people and they say, ‘Frank, when is phase two starting up?’ Because they’re really excited about it, and what phase one contributed to the town, so they’re anxious to get phase two on the go, and of course then phase three.”
Butt said the delay was caused by the tender specs needing to be updated.
“The engineers put out the tender, but then discovered there was a bit more to the electrical part, so they had to withdraw the tender, and correct what needed to be done,” said Butt, who said the tender will be issued once again and work will likely begin in the spring.
Butt said the project is still moving ahead.
“We’ve already applied for phase three,” said the mayor. “So, we know what we need, and we know that’s the end of that project, so we’re hoping that federal and provincial governments will expedite the approval of phase three even without the completion of phase two.”
Speaking of downtown, while it’s typically the curio shops and eateries that draw folks there, it was word of a fire that made people flock to the downtown core this past Easter weekend, when two buildings caught fire. Their remnants still stand to this day.
“Those buildings have been burnt out and they’ve been left there, basically at the mercy of the elements,” said Butt. “If the wind picks up, and there’s anyway glass or siding becomes loose, it certainly poses a safety issue. So, they have to go. I’m not an engineer, but I’m pretty certain they cannot be salvaged. They have to be torn down, and it has to be done soon.”
Council issued a demolition order back in July, but to no avail.
“We’ve given the owners ample time to take care of that issue,” said Butt. “Our next step, well, I think our lawyers already have the file in their hands. It’s got to get gone… Come the first meeting in January, I would say there will be a more aggressive action to get this rectified.”
The Town capped off 2022 by passing a budget that saw no residential or commercial tax increases.
“We’re certainly happy to say that there won’t be any tax increases for the Town of Carbonear,” said the mayor. “Things will basically be status quo. We are certainly a well financed community, and because of that we will not have to increase our taxes, which is good. Our community is still considered the hub of the bay. We have a good commercial base. We have over 250 businesses in Carbonear, and 50 of those are downtown. So, commercially speaking, that generates a lot of revenue. Then, when your residents pay their taxes on time – and we have a high tax collection rate, it’s up in the high nineties – that all plays a part too. Because when people are able to pay their bills on time, that creates revenue flow into the town, and then we don’t have to go and take out a loan, say, to get us through to next year.”
Looking ahead, Butt said he’s excited about improvements to the town’s recreation offerings.
“We’re always improving our recreation complexes and spaces, and that’s why we’ve hired a consultant to do a recreation master plan,” said Butt. “So, from that, they’re going to tell us how we should proceed with recreational facilities. And one of the big things that we’re really looking forward too is a splash pad. I would say that the majority of councillors have heard people say, ‘We want a splash pad.’ It’s something that’s good for the kids, and I’m excited to have one in Carbonear. So, we’re going to investigate the cost of that, that’s what we’re doing right now, and we’ll source any funding we can.”
Butt said the Town continues to improve infrastructure and recreation facilities not just for current residents, but also in the hope of drawing new residents — including doctors.
2023 will mark Carbonear’s 75th anniversary of incorporation, and the Town is planning a year’s worth of celebrations.
“We have a large slew of events being planned to take place in 2023 to celebrate our 75th anniversary,” said Butt. “That’s something that I think all residents of Carbonear should be proud of, and I’m pretty confident that they are. Those anniversary celebrations will bring in visitors, and we want visitors to come into our town, not only for economic reasons, but because they’ll come in and say, ‘Carbonear looks like a nice place, and we should consider moving here.’”
Butt said most of the events will likely be scheduled for the summer months.