Stephenville council briefs

The following are news briefs collected during council discussion at the July 16 regular general meeting of Stephenville town council:

Plans for flood zone

Councillor Bob Byrnes told council he received a call from a resident asking about the town's plans for the flood zone area, wondering specifically if there is a plan in place to remediate the land.

The councillor said with federal funds currently being allocated, the time may be right to make a plan for that area of town.

Mayor Tom O'Brien responded that some contaminated soil had been removed from the area last summer and that town manager Barry Coates has an application into ACOA to turn the area into a walking trail and recreation area.

The mayor said when funding is secured, the town can then move forward with plans to hold public consultations about how the land should be used, but cautioned that funding needs to first be in place.

Applications for improvements

Inquiring about other applications made to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for funds, Councillor Byrnes was told there are applications currently submitted or being worked on the make improvements to the former Abitibi papershed building, the downtown core, new streetlights for Minnesota Dr., to revitalize the flood zone and to create an exit to the Stephenville Dome parking lot, which currently has none.

The councillor asked that the town clerk contact ACOA to check on the process and length of time it may take before any funds are approved.

Commendations for House

Councillor Bob Byrnes told council that the Bay St. George Snowmobile Association, under the direction of Justin House, will receive $120,000 in government funds to upgrade the ATV trails in the area.

The councillor said the town will reap the benefits of the upgrades and that Mr. House should be commended on for his work, which is done on a volunteer basis.

Mayor Tom O'Brien noted the Bay St. George Snowmobile Association was named the number one association in the province this year, meeting all 11 of the parent association's eligibility criteria.

"Ours [club] excelled in all of them," said the mayor. "That's to the benefit of Justin House and Kevin Sweetland."

The mayor went on to say that the town stepped up to the plate to continue to support the local group, adding that tourism is playing a much larger role in the province than ever before.

"All of that stuff is part in parcel of what makes our community," said the mayor. "We have walking/ATV/Snowmobile trails to go on a scenic ride ... it's good work."

Watch where you park

Councillor Don Gibbon told council some residents had inquired about mobile campers parking near the beach at Port Harmon.

Mayor O'Brien clarified that it is against town regulations to park there, but a lot of the time when the get someone comes for a night or two it isn't necessarily enforced. He said a larger problem is if they stay for a month or more.

Councillor Byrnes told council he had heard of several businesspeople interested in taking over the Indian Head Park campgrounds near Harmon Seaside Links.

Councillor Byrnes said although currently closed, the campground is a great resource to the community and commented that a lot of work and money has been put into it over the years.

Council expressed their desire to see the campground once again become a place where visitors and residents can stay and enjoy the outdoors.