General posts

There will be a meeting of the
Roddickton-Bide Arm Harbour Authority
Monday, April 14, 7:00 PM
at the Gerry Byrne Room.

Anyone interested in joining this committee are asked to attend.

If you are unable to attend but would be interested in becoming a member please contact the Town Office at 457-2413.

Looking for an inexpensive but effective way to advertise your business??

Place a sign or Ice Logo at the Roddickton-Bide Arm Arena.
4′ x 8′ Wall Signage $ 90.00
4′ x 4′ Wall Signage $ 45.00
Ice Logos range from $ 100 – $ 150
Amounts do not include applicable taxes.

Call the Town office 457-2413 for further details

Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm Municipal Taxes 2014docx

In previous years, residential tax bills would have been itemized as follows:
• Residential Property Tax
• Water and Sewer Tax
The garbage collection fee was included within the above taxes.

To be more transparent, going forward the bill will be itemized as follows:
• Residential Property Tax
• Water and Sewer
• Garbage Collection Fee

To accommodate the garbage collection fee being billed as a separate item:
1. the mil rate for residential properties has decreased to 7.25 mils from 8.5.
2. the minimum residential property tax rate has been reduced from $ 375 to $ 285

Garbage collection fee is determined by Northern Peninsula Regional Service Board and not the Town Council.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
January 3, 2014

Public Advisory: Residents and Communities Encouraged to be Prepared

Residents throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are once again reminded that it is essential to be prepared for adverse weather.

Environment Canada is predicting that over the next 48 hours heavy snowfall and blizzard-like conditions may affect many parts of the province. Snow will begin today with winds gradually increasing through the afternoon and evening. Blowing snow and strong winds are anticipated overnight, with wind gusts reaching 80 km/h. Drifting and blowing snow conditions may persist for most of Saturday especially for exposed locations. Further information and updates on the weather forecast can be found at http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=nl.

In addition, due to unseasonably cold conditions and very high load energy forecast, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has implemented rolling power outages and has asked customers to conserve energy where possible. More information on the power outages can be found at http://callcenter.nlh.nl.ca/Outage andhttp://www.newfoundlandpower.com/Outages/. Customers can assist in conserving electricity by reducing electric heat by a few degrees; conserving hot water by not running dishwashers, washers and showers; avoiding the use of clothes dryers; and, turning off Christmas lights.

The Provincial Government has taken immediate steps to decrease its own power usage by turning off all non-essential lights, such as Christmas lights on the Prince Philip Parkway and at Memorial University of Newfoundland, as well as construction lights at Confederation Building and lights at other Provincial Government buildings throughout the province.

Residents and communities should always keep in mind that safety is of prime importance when dealing with adverse weather and the extreme cold. Detailed information regarding safety measures can be found in the backgrounder below. Residents are also reminded that each home and place of business should have an emergency preparedness plan, and should compile an emergency kit in advance of adverse weather with essential materials such as food and water. Information on what to include in an emergency kit can be found at http://www.getprepared.ca.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are strongly encouraged to monitor local weather forecasts for changing conditions, listen to local radio stations for important messages from authorities, and to ensure every effort is made to prepare for adverse weather throughout the winter season. Preparation and planning is essential in advance.

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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Safety Messages and Advice for Residents

During a Power Outage
· First, check whether the power outage is limited to your home. If your neighbours’ power is still on, check your own circuit breaker panel or fuse box. If the problem is not a breaker or a fuse, check the service wires leading to the house. If they are obviously damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 metres back and notify your electricity provider. Keep the number for Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, along with other emergency numbers, near your telephone.
· Turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment, and turn the thermostat(s) for the home heating system down to minimum to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored. Also, power can be restored more easily when there is not a heavy load on the electrical system.
· Turn off all lights, except one inside and one outside, so that both you and electricity crews outside know that power has been restored.
· Don’t open your freezer or fridge unless it is absolutely necessary. A full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed.
· Never use charcoal or propane barbecues, camping heating equipment, or home generators indoors.
· If at all possible, listen to a battery-powered or wind-up radio regularly for information on power outages or further advice from local authorities.

Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety Tips
· In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel can be a source of carbon monoxide (CO). For this reason, CO alarms should be installed in the home.
· Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height of CO alarms.
· Choose alarms that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
· Alarms should be tested and checked for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
· If a CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.
· If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
· During and after a winter storm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
· During power outages, a generator should only be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
· Candles and other temporary heating sources should be monitored constantly, and should never be left unattended or operational while sleeping.
· All entrances and exits, including windows, should be free of snow build-up in the event an evacuation is required.
· In addition, residents are reminded that working smoke alarms are required in every bedroom of a home or dwelling, and in cottages and cabins too. These alarms should have some form of battery back-up, and should be checked regularly to ensure they are in working order.

Residents of Bide Arm struggle daily due to the lack of Broadband (High-Speed) Internet. Using the computer to find information and services to improve their health, education, and employment opportunities and to stay connected with family and friends is essential. Unfortunately, residents of Bide Arm do not have access to high-speed internet services. Let’s join together and help Bide Arm get high-speed internet.

Everyone is encouraged to voice their support by contacting Mark Duggan, Bell Aliant Corporate Affairs 709-687-3136 or by email at mark.duggan@bellaliant.ca and Great Northern Wireless of Deer Lake, providers high speed services (709) 636-1020. It’s important that we express the need for our entire community of Roddickton-Bide Arm to have high-speed internet and get our concerns on the radar for the upcoming Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) where over $6M in funds will be invested to improve internet services across the province.

“Coming together is the beginning. Staying together is progress. Working together is success.”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm.

Public Advisory: 2014 Shops Closing Holidays

The public is advised that under authority of the Shops Closing Act, the following days are to be observed as holidays during the 2014 calendar year:

Holiday Date of Observance
New Year’s Day* Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Good Friday* Friday, April 18, 2014
Easter Sunday Sunday, April 20, 2014
Victoria Day Monday, May 19, 2014
Memorial/Canada Day* Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Labour Day* Monday, September 1, 2014
Thanksgiving Day Monday, October 13, 2014
Remembrance Day* Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Christmas Day* Thursday, December 25, 2014
Boxing Day Friday, December 26, 2014

* Paid holidays

In addition, the Shops Closing Act sets the following for observance as holidays:

In the City of St. John’s, the day determined as Regatta Day;
In the Town of Harbour Grace, the day determined as Regatta Day; and
In any other municipality, the day fixed by the council as a civic holiday therein.
The Shops Closing Act requires that all shops, other than those defined as exempt shops, be closed on the above holidays.

The following is a Public Advisory: Food Safety Tips for Residents Affected by Power Outages. This advisory focuses on Central Newfoundland residents but contains some valuable information if our community is faced with extended power outages in the future.

Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
November 22, 2013
Public Advisory: Food Safety Tips for Residents Affected by Power Outages

Residents in central Newfoundland experiencing a power disruption due to the recent winter storm in that region are reminded that certain actions should be taken to ensure food safety. To prevent food-related illnesses, resident should follow these tips:

Do not open the refrigerator or freezer door unless absolutely necessary in order to maintain the cold temperature;
A full freezer will keep food frozen for about 48 hours. A freezer that is half full will keep food frozen for about 24 hours;
If available, add ice to the refrigerator to keep the food at a safe temperature if the power will be out for a long period of time;
Carefully inspect all food items and do not eat any food you think may not be safe. Spoiled food may not look contaminated. The general advice from food safety experts remains ‘when in doubt, throw it out’;
Any food thawed at room temperature for two or more hours should be discarded, as well as any food that has an obvious unusual colour or odour. However, it is important to keep in mind that food contaminated with bacteria does not necessarily smell bad or appear spoiled;
Keep cold food cold. Use dry ice or an ice chest;
If food is cold to the touch, it is probably safe to keep, use or refreeze;
Discard meat, seafood, dairy products and cooked food that are not cold to the touch;
A clean source of water can be used to mix skim milk powder or dilute tinned milk and use on cereal or to mix with instant puddings; and,
If there is a way to heat or cook foods, then canned vegetables, canned stews, soups and pastas can be used. Also, warm drinks such as hot chocolate made with milk can be made.
Residents are also reminded that cold temperatures stop the growth of bacteria to reduce risk of it causing illness. Normal refrigeration temperature is 4°C (40°F), or below, and normal freezer temperature is -18°C (0°F), or below. For more information on general food safety, please visit: www.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/envhealth/foodsafetyinfo.html.

Residents affected by power outages can visit http://newfoundlandpower.com/Outages/ and http://callcenter.nlh.nl.ca/Outage/ for updates from Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro respectively.

– 30 –

Media contact:
Bradley Power
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca

2013 11 22 2:40 p.m.

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Reminder to all Residents:

Tomorrow, June 30, 2013 is the last day to receive a discount on 2013 taxes paid in full. Any questions on the discount can be directed to the Town Clerk by calling 457-2413.

Councillors and Staff would like to wish “Happy Birthday” to the Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm Superintendent of Works, Grant Hancock.