Deputy Mayor wants to get train committee moving

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2023

Carbonear Deputy Mayor Sam Slade is eager for council to get a move on and from a committee dedicated to preserving and fundraising for the landmark locomotive that council had voted to send to the scrapyard in November.

During a public meeting last month, Slade noted the Finance and Administration committee had discussed terms of refence at a previous committee meeting.

He asked committee chairperson Ray Noel for details.

“We did have some discussion about that, and I think the CAO was going to sit down with our committee, because there’s a lot of questions around the bank account, and who’s going to have access to things, and how the fundraising will work,” said Noel.

CAO Cynthia Davis added it would be best for the matter to be brought forth for all of council for discussion.

Slade said that things need to get moving, and fast, especially as council has determined to make a final decision on the matter in August.

“We put a timeframe on it, and so it’s important for us to start moving forward with it, because, I tell you, August won’t be long coming,” said Slade. “If we’re going to do this, and it looks like we are, you want to give it all due diligence, and you want to give it ample time to succeed.”

Davis said that she had spoken with the Department of Municipal Affairs, who had made some suggestions, and suggested council meet soon.

The Town unanimously voted to scrape the train back in November citing safety concerns.

Council estimates the cost of restoration would be around $100,000— a price it’s is not willing to pay out of pocket.