Bay Roberts considers more convenient hours for “the pit”

By Mark Squibb/February 3, 2023

If you’ve ever had to get rid of some old tree branches, you may have paid a visit to “the pit” in Bay Roberts.

It’s an industrial yard off Central Street the Town uses to store sand, salt, and gravel. Except during the winter months, when it is closed to the public, folks can swing by the pit on Fridays to drop off tree branches, limbs, and bags of grass clippings or leaves.

Councillor Perry Bowering, during a public meeting held on January 24, asked whether the Town shouldn’t open the pit during the winter months as well.

“We have the yard open every Friday during the summer right up until the fall but is there any way we could have it open, even once a month (during the winter)?” asked Bowering. “Because with all the wind we’re getting during the winter months, there’s tree limbs and everything going everywhere. And I’ve had people ask me if there’s any way we could have it open for even half a day.”

Director of Public Works and Technical Services Sean Elms said it would be possible for workers to come in on a Saturday, although it would mean having to pay for an extra day’s work.

From there, the conversation switched gears as to whether the pit should be open on Saturdays throughout the year.

Councillor Dean Franey applauded the idea.

“I’m in the same boat; I work Monday to Friday, so I can’t get there on a weekday,” said Franey. “But I don’t think you would have to pay overtime. I’m sure you could just adjust the schedule, so staff could work Tuesday to Saturday and have Sunday and Monday off. Staff would still get their two days off in a row.”

Deputy Mayor Geoff Seymour said there would have to be further discussion prior to making a decision due to “union implications,” but added he didn’t see any reason why not, maybe once a month, the depot could be opened on a Saturday.

“This time of year, if we’re looking at opening it for half a day, we could evaluate whether we need someone there or not, because we’re not going to be running the chipper this time of year,” said chief administrative officer Nigel Black. “It would be for security, more or less.”

While discussing the issue, councillor Bowering raised another concern he had with the Town’s garbage collection.

“We’re still taking boughs and limbs from everyone all over God’s green creation in Conception Bay North,” said Bowering. “We need to come up with some kind of system that we’re only doing it for the residents, and for commercial fellows dropping stuff off. We’re wearing out our equipment for other towns.”

Bowering recommended the Town issue permits for use of the machine.

Black said there was a permit process in place that fell to the wayside during the COVID pandemic, but there is no reason the Town couldn’t re-implement it.

Deputy Mayor Seymour, who was chairing the meeting in the absence of Mayor Walter Yetman, suggested the Public Works committee discuss the matter at its next meeting and bring a recommendation back to council.