Spaniard’s Bay to compensate residents for snow clearing damages

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With the heavy winter Newfoundland has been experiencing, many towns have seen damage caused by snow-clearing. Spaniard’s Bay council vowed earlier this month to take accountability for the latter.

At their March 10 council meeting, councillor Debbie Newman put forward a motion to make an amendment to the Town’s snow-clearing policy.

“If council determines that the Town’s equipment or operators negatively damaged private property such as fences or garbage boxes, the Town will repair or replace the item with one of comparable value,” said Newman.

The motion was seconded by councillor Ann Marie Singleton.

“That’s only in the situation that the Town has accepted responsibility for the damages, and that’s on an individual basis, right?” asked Mayor Tammy Oliver.

Newman agreed.

Councillor Sherry Lundrigan asked if council will determine a dollar amount for how it is willing to compensate.

Newman said they usually replace the damaged item.

Lundrigan asked if, in the case residents replace their own item, the Town will give them money for it.

“Someone might build a garbage box for $500. Someone might build a garbage box for $200,” Lundrigan pointed out.

Oliver clarified that, as per the policy, they do not want residents to replace their own items, but to let the Town repair or replace them with something of similar value.

“So, if we offer to make a comparison of what we’re replacing, like I said, it’s still an individual case,” said Oliver. “So, council will still have to approve whatever comes forward.”

Deputy Mayor Gerald Sheppard asked how they would determine an item’s worth. Lundrigan echoed that question.

“Well, the first thing the Town has to do is decide whether or not it’s liable,” said Town Manager Tony Ryan. “Which will, chances are, be the public works committee. And then beyond that, that same committee should be tasked with the work of deciding what comparable value is.”

Newman’s motion passed unanimously.