Bay Roberts to issue water shut off notices to delinquent property owners

By Mark Squibb

Folks in Bay Roberts not up to date on their tax bills might want to give the Town Hall a ring.

Council, on April 14, approved a recommendation from staff authorizing them to proceed with the continued and escalating collection of all outstanding tax accounts in arrears in strict accordance with the Town’s tax collection policy. Measures to be undertaken include continued issuance of notices, application of interest on overdue accounts, and disconnection of services when applicable following notice.

Chief Administrative Officer Dave Tibbo said that in the coming weeks, the Town will be reviewing delinquent accounts, and sending out water shut off notices effective May 1. Property owners will have 30 days to make arrangements to avoid having their water shut off.

“But certainly, as we always said and council always promotes, we’re certainly willing to have a look at payment plans or have a discussion to help people out as best we can,” said Tibbo. “However, we need to keep the Town running, and to do that, we need to collect the taxes, and a lot of these are payments that haven’t been paid in years.”

The recommendation passed unanimously.

“We’ve said this many times in the past, especially at budget time and in budget speeches, that the onus is on everyone to pay their taxes in a timely fashion,” said Mayor Geoff Seymour. “It’s tax revenue that allows the Town to deliver the services that residents need – snow clearing, road maintenance, water and sewer, fire protection, recreation facilities – all these things come at a cost, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to pay their taxes in the appropriate time and place. Just remember, if there are issues, we are willing to work with you 100 per cent. All it requires is a phone call. We’ll set up a meeting, and if there is a way to help a resident, we will help a resident 100 percent.”

The Town will also initiate tax sales of properties where appropriate, Tibbo said.