Message from the Town Manager

Newsletter from your CAO

I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome I have received as your new Chief Administrative Officer. Three months in, it has been a pleasure getting to know this vibrant community, and I am truly excited to be here. I am committed to serving you and actively fostering a community that thrives on collaboration and innovation. I look forward to engaging with you, listening to your ideas, and working together to build a bright future for Botwood. Thank you once again for your kindness and support. Let’s make great things happen together!

Quarterly Report

I plan to provide updates like this each quarter.

Finance

• The auditors’ report is complete, and the results are very positive. Great work, everyone! This report will be available on our website very soon.

Economic Development

• The Bank of Montreal building has been sold. I am excited to see how this property will be utilized.
• Investors have expressed interest in bringing new amenities to Botwood. Our community offers an excellent location and many advantages for business investment.
• The Town is currently working on proposals to develop a new residential subdivision.
• We are also exploring options for additional short-term RV and recreation spaces.

Public Works

• About $200k in repaving and patching  has started
• Wireless Road – 85 meters of new waterline have been installed, allowing for sediment removal and the elimination of a dead zone. Complete.
• Washrooms at the ball fields and Baetha site – Complete.
• Road painting – 90% complete.
• PBY “Canso” flying boat – structural repairs completed and a new paint job applied.
• New dugouts at the ball fields – Complete.

Projects

• Church Road – The new waterline is nearing completion. Final clean-up and loose ends need to be addressed before sign-off.
• Commonwealth Drive Waterline Project – Approximately 75% complete. I apologize for the recent Non Consumption Order. This was necessary after two areas were found to be contaminated with hydrocarbons. Safety is always the top priority. The project is now back on track with no delays.
• New Fire Truck – Botwood has been granted $700K for a new emergency vehicle.
• New Fire Hall – Planning is underway once again.
• Waterline Projects – Three additional projects are being proposed for Kings Road, Airbase Road, and Waterman’s Lane.
• Breakwater & Shoreline Protection – Proposals are being developed for Killick Island and the marina to address erosion.
• Equipment Upgrades – A range of new equipment (valves, flow meters, piping, PRVs, electronic monitoring, etc.) is being added to improve flushing, reduce water loss, and address pressure issues.
• Arena – A hot water recovery system has been installed to recycle hot water for domestic use, including servicing the Zamboni.
• Regional Partnership – Grant funding has been provided to redo the roof of the Grand Falls water plant. This year, we are also working to secure funding for 1.2 km of road repairs leading to the plant.

EVREC Project
I entered negotiations with the team in early July and have been impressed with their competence and commitment to keeping the community’s priorities front and center.

• EVREC has a new CEO, who plans to tour the project site this month.
• The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is expected to be completed later this year. Results will help determine how the project moves forward, and EVREC has committed to sharing information through public hearings once the analysis is complete.
• Thank you for understanding the confidential nature of these negotiations; protecting the community’s interests is critical.
• The Town is now receiving $55,200 annually through a land-use lease agreement. In addition, EVREC is covering Town expenses, including legal fees, consultants, and staff time.

Administration

• Communication Tools – Migration to updated software systems is 75% complete.
• Safety Procedures – A review of safety protocols for municipal staff has been revamped. An intern from Botwood restarted the process with hazard assessments, inspections, and safety meetings.
• Security Enhancements – Additional security systems have been installed. Office staff now feel more secure, especially when working alone.
• OH&S Inspections – Two inspections identified improvements: A handrail was added to scaffolding used while painting the plane. Additional signage and flagging were required during line painting.
• Emergency Response Plan – The plan has been updated to ensure we can effectively manage any emergencies that may arise in our community. Further modifications will be made this year to improve clarity and efficiency.

Parks & Recreation

Botwood was proud to host the under 17 Soft ball tournaments

Crews have started preparation for the Ice surface and the Arena is due to open Oct. 11^th.

Seniors and Special Events

• Affordable housing development has been approved, and a second application is currently in progress.
• A feasibility study has been approved for a community bus.

Resident Concerns
I welcome complaints and feedback, as they help staff better understand community issues, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.

ATV use on streets – 3 Concern

Staff are working on a ATC use By-law for the town that would allow the use of ATVs to be used on the roads specific roadways.  This will be presented to the incoming council. Details to follow

Access (Wheelchair) – 1 Concern
We have applied for a grant to improve accessibility at the Air Base and Arena, along with adding picnic tables that are modified to accommodate accessibility needs.

Dirty Water – 14 Concerns
I know there are more concerns out there than the 15 reported. I recognize this is a significant issue in several areas of town, and it will not be fixed overnight. Our focus is on high-priority areas to replace aging infrastructure. Additionally, the province will only fund new equipment up to the curb, so we are keeping samples of every line we expose leading to houses for future consideration. We will also revamp our flushing program, strengthen leak detection, and add more isolation valves to reduce the negative impacts of shutdowns.

Capital Project Issues – 8 Concerns
I acknowledge the need to better understand the impacts of living near construction work. The two main concerns are communication and access—both of which are relatively easy to improve. I will work on providing advance communication and ensuring that access to and from residences is always maintained.

Inappropriate Land Use – 4 Concerns
For example, if you are operating a vehicle repair service in a residential zone, this must stop. Such activity disturbs neighbors, lowers property values, creates environmental risks, and competes unfairly with legitimate businesses that pay taxes and follow the rules. We are considering measures to curb this, such as revoking building permits, requesting provincial building inspections, environmental inspections, fire inspections, and issuing fines. I am happy to help identify a more suitable location for such work—but your backyard is not the place.

One Individual Resident – 37 Concerns
This is a unique challenge. When a single individual consistently submits numerous complaints, it can consume several hundred hours of staff time funded by your tax dollars. This disproportionate demand places strain on the Town’s administration in several ways:

• Resource Allocation – Time, personnel, and funds are diverted away from other important projects and services.

• Staff Morale – Constantly responding to excessive demands can frustrate staff, impacting morale and productivity.
• Distraction from Priorities – Focusing on one individual’s numerous complaints can shift attention away from more pressing, community-wide issues.
• Policy Implications – An influx of complaints from one person may force administration to revisit or adjust policies. While this can sometimes lead to positive changes, it can also result in hasty decisions that may not reflect the broader community’s needs.

While it is important to listen to all residents, overwhelming demands from a single individual can create significant challenges in maintaining effective governance and ensuring fairness for the wider community.

Elections
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the current council for their dedication and service to our community.

As we approach the upcoming elections, I also want to extend my best wishes to all the candidates vying for the seven available positions. Your willingness to step forward and serve is truly commendable. I look forward to seeing how each of you will contribute to the continued growth and prosperity of our town. Best of luck to all!