Dowden asks Carbonear residents to tidy it up

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Olivia Bradbury

Carbonear residents are being asked to keep their properties clean for the good of their neighbours and themselves.

The issue was raised at council’s August 18 public meeting by municipal enforcement officer Matt Burke, who said there are a number of properties with “bulk garbage” lying around. Councillor Amanda Dowden said the property owners have been asked to clean up their grounds, and that their progress is being monitored.

“We can’t encourage people enough,” said Dowden. “Please look after your environment. Look after your property. It’s good for you and good for your neighbours.”

Dowden noted some residents have old, unused vehicles on their properties. She said the Public Works, Waste Management and Community Services Committee, comprised of herself and councillors Malcolm Seymour and Stephen Penney, are looking into how they can contact the owners and have the vehicles removed.

“If you have a vehicle on your property that’s no good, it’s not being used, what have you, as a Town, we ask that you remove it,” said Dowden. “I believe you can even call some scrapyards and they’ll even give you money for your old vehicles. So $200 in your pocket or $300, whatever they give, is not a bad deal. And it also cleans up your property and helps residents out.”

Dowden noted cleanup orders had been delivered to two properties in Carbonear on August 5. “We are working diligently to ensure that these are actioned and that the residents comply with our Town and our rules and provide some help to us and our residents,” said Dowden.