Bay Roberts council puts focus on municipal enforcement

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bay Roberts council is holding the line on tax rates next year, though Deputy Mayor Geoff Seymour, who presented the Town’s budget last week, warned because of rising property values, some residents may end up paying more.
Seymour said the $10,140,537 spending plan includes a combination of revenue and borrowing to bring it into balance.
The residential mil rate remains at 6.5 and the commercial property tax mil rate at seven. Seymour reminded residents that anyone seeing increases in their assessed property values can contact the Municipal Assessment Agency to seek a reassessment. Anyone unsure of the process can reach out to Town Clerk Christine Bradbury for information, he added.
Seymour said there will be no change in rates for business or water and sewer rates, as well as no increase in rates or fees for recreational facilities.
Seymour noted that while the past year’s budget focused on recreation due to Bay Roberts hosting the 2024 NL Summer Games, in 2025, the budget will focus on protective services, particularly Bay Roberts Fire Rescue. Some $850,000 will go towards the purchase of a used ladder truck, which will have a lifespan of 15 years or more and replace the department’s current, 30-year-old ladder truck. In addition, through its Fire Protection Vehicles Infrastructure Program, the government of Newfoundland has approved funding for Bay Roberts to buy a new firefighting vehicle. The cost will be approximately $620,000, with the Province paying 70 percent and the Town 30. The additions to the fire department are consistent with a fleet maintenance plan the Town will be adopting in 2025, Seymour said.
The Town will hire a new municipal enforcement officer (MEO) in 2025.
“Funding has been secured through the Provincial Community Collaboration Grant with cost shared funding which will allow for a regional form of Municipal Enforcement for communities in the CBN area,” Seymour explained.
The grant will cover the purchase and uplift of a duty vehicle for an MEO for the towns of North River, Spaniard’s Bay, Bay Roberts, and Harbour Grace.
The Bay Roberts’ public works department will also see an increase in funding in 2025. As part of the fleet maintenance plan, $225,000 has been allocated for the purchase of a new single axel dump truck. Some $30,000 has been allocated for the four-month rental of a front-end loader.
“This equipment will allow our staff to effectively address snow clearing efforts in the many small roads and lanes that exist within our town,” said Seymour.
There is also money for the hiring of a new coordinator of marketing and communication. This member of staff will be responsible for the development and support of marketing, advertising, and communication initiatives in the town.
Part of the budget will be spent on an anti-litter campaign by adding more garbage receptacles and introducing recycling receptacles through town. There will also be improvements made to green spaces, including additional park benches, rest areas, and planters. The first stage of a sensory garden will begin in the summer of 2025 at the Bay Roberts Community Gardens.
Seymour acknowledged the bulk of the budget comes from taxes, and implored residents to pay theirs in a timely manner. Anyone paying the full amount on or before March 31, 2025 will receive a five percent discount, and seniors doing the same will receive an additional five percent discount.
“It goes without saying that Budget 2025 is a projection and, in fact, a living document,” Seymour said. “As a council, we are prepared to adhere to it but, if the situation changes, we have the flexibility to adapt and make changes while staying on target.”