Bay Roberts proceeding to court over untidy properties

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Olivia Bradbury

Bay Roberts council is ready to go to court, if necessary, to make a couple of property owners on Butlerville Road clean up their grounds.

Director of Protective Services Greg Squires said staff have made “many” attempts to get the property owners to clean up the messes, even offering extensions to get the work done, but to no avail.

“So, I’m looking for authorization to proceed forwarding these matters to legal,” Squires said.

Deputy Mayor Neil Kearley made the motion to do just that, which was seconded by councillor Perry Bowering.

“I drove by there recently and it’s absolutely disgusting,” said councillor Frank Deering.

“The neighbours must be frustrated,” agreed Kearley. “It’s beyond brutal than what it was previously.”

Squires said there are some other properties in town which are not in compliance with the maintenance standards. Letters ordering cleanups will be sent to the owners, giving them a deadline to comply. If the properties are not tidied within the timeframe specified, the Town will proceed to court.

“The letter to proceed to court is just a generic letter that goes out to notify a person that gives them the absolute last chance and that is it,” said Squires.

“The point we need to get across to residents, those handful out there, maybe 10, 12, is that the onus is on you to keep your property clean and tidy (out of) respect for your neighbours,” said Mayor Geoff Seymour. “And if you’re not going to do that, then the Town’s got no choice but to take these actions.”

The motion to take the Butlerville Road property owners to court passed unanimously.

Council also discussed recent problems some residents have experienced with bulk garbage collection handled by the Eastern Regional Services Board.

Squires said a dozen or so householders missed the deadline to get rid of bulk garbage. However, he added, most of them are trying to get Waste Recovery Facility Access Cards so they can bring their garbage to the board’s drop off yard in Harbour Grace.

Councillor Bowering said he had heard many people are having trouble getting the cards. Squires said some residents have asked the board for temporary cards while their applications are being processed.