Town of Holyrood

Updated- May 18 at 7:00 am

All areas of the Town except for Sir Albert Walsh Drive now have water restored. Tank level continues to be extremely low and we ask for all residents cooperation to conserve water until the tank reaches normal capacity. Today, staff will review the situation on Sir Albert Walsh Drive. Water restrictions will continue untill all systems are back to normal. Thank you for your continue cooperation.

Updated- May 17 at 3:00 pm

Throughout today, our water usage is much higher than anticipated and as a result we are having a difficult time increasing tank level and we are not able to bring the water any further than O’Rourkes Road. If this continues, we stand the chance of losing the tank level and then once again we will have to start shutting off sections of the town in order to energize the system.

We need everyone’s cooperation in not only following the exterior water ban, but please, treat the water system inside your home as if you have no water. Please conserve where possible until we can get our tank level restored.

Thank you for your cooperation and we will provide a further update as soon as new information becomes available.

Updated on May 17 at 11:30 am

For all areas of the town except Woodfords Station

Due to the time line to fill our water tank on the Salmonier Line, we have now extended the water restriction to include all of North Arm except Woodfords Station.

Overnight staff were able to energize the water line east from Maher's Bridge as far as O'Rourkes Road (3.1 kms). At this moment there isn't enough water in tank to move water further. Areas currently without water are Holyrood Access Road, Sir Albert Walsh Drive and east of O'Rourkes Road.

Residents are asked to conserve water so the tank can be restored to normal levels.

The Town apologizes for this inconvenience and asks for your patience and cooperation

Overnight staff were able to energize the water line east from Maher's Bridge as far as O'Rourkes Road. At this moment there isn't enough water in tank located on the Salmonier Line to move water further. Areas currently without water are Holyrood Access Road, Sir Albert Walsh Drive and east of O'Rourkes Road

Today staff will attempt to bring the water to these areas. Well 1 will also be put on stream and this will help rebuild the water capacity. Residents are asked to conserve water so the tank can be restored to normal levels. Water restriction remains in effect.

Town staff have been able to energize the water from Maher's Bridge East to Carroll's Road. Pressure is being maintained with good flow. Obviously, pressure will not get back to normal until water level in take rises, which is currently maintaining 7 feet of water. Within the next hour we should have the sytem operating as fas as Brien's Road (past Wong's House). If the tank level doesn't get any lower than 7 feet, staff will continue on throughout the night one gate valve at a time until they complete the system to Duff's.

There is no water on Holyrood Access Road and East of Carroll's Road. If residents conserve their water and the minimum tank level is maintained, we could have all water back on stream in morning except for Sir Albert Walsh Drive and Holyrood Access Road.

Tomorrow morning, Keans Pump Shop will be working with Town Staff to have well 1 on the Holyrood Access Road back in commission by early afternoon. We cannot complete the work on Sir Albert Walsh Drive until all systems are back on stream and functioning properly. We have decided on a short term plan for this area which will happen when all other areas are functioning.

Currently, all areas west of Mahers Bridge are receiving water and pressure is getting back to normal. Until the tank is approximately half full, there still may be water loss at the elevated points on the eastern side of North Arm.

Areas east of Mahers Bridge are still experiencing little to no water. Town Staff and Engineers have identified the area between Mahers Bridge and Mary Browns as the potential location of water loss.

Town staff are trying to isolate a section of this area. If we receive a positive result, then we will start to energize the system by moving the water from one gate valve to the next. If this holds the pressure, we will be able to continue on to Duffs.

In order to assist the tank to recover the water loss, we have to implement a water restriction ban for all areas of the town except Woodfords Station and areas West of O’Connells Well. Residents in these areas, as well as all other areas of the town, must register their outdoor swimming pools and no approval will be issued for filling the pool until it is coordinated with the town.

During this disruption, please contact the town if you require drinking water. As of this afternoon, we hope to have water available for other domestic uses. You can also fill containers at the Star of the Sea and other areas west of Mahers Bridge.

Ø Washing of vehicles

Ø Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots and driveways

Ø Watering of lawns & gardens

Ø Filling of swimming pools

Residents and Businesses are advised that due to problems with our water system, any devices or utilities that use water should have power disconnected until water supply is restored.

The Town apologizes for this inconvenience and asks for your patience and cooperation.

The Star of the Sea is assisting the Town with our water issue. Anyone that would like to fill up containers with water, there is a water hose placed to the back of the Star of the Sea building. We ask for your continued patience as we work to resolve this issue.

The Provincial Government has released the fee reduction schedule for seniors age 65 and up. Click here to view.

Please click here to view our recent job opportunity with the Town of Holyrood as an Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator. Please, no inquires at the Town Hall. For more information, contact JW Consulting Associates at cet@nl.rogers.com, deadline Monday, May 28.

Until further notice, the Town has no choice but to control and lock the compost gate area. The area will be open Monday-Friday 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Open from Saturday 9:00 am and closing Sunday at 9:00 am. If the town can find a way to resolve the garbage issues that continues to plague the compost area, then we will consider going back to opening the yard 24/7

Summer Employment Applications available here for Students. Please return to the Town Office by May 18, 2012.

Clean up week will begin from May 15-21. Please have all items placed at the roadside during this time. Pickup will begin on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:00 am. Please ensure your bulk itmes are placed out BEFORE this time to ensure that items will be picked up.

Forest Fire Season- Residents Encouraged to Act Responsibly During Forest Fire Season

Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are reminded of the regulations that come into play with the start of the official forest fire season, which begins on the island May 1, and in Labrador, May 15.

“The privilege of using our forests for activities like camping, fishing and hiking brings with it the responsibility to take care of our resources,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. “The official start of the forest fire season is an appropriate time to remind people to be vigilant when they are in the woods, and of the rules which come into effect in the interest of public safety.”
During forest fire season a permit to burn is required, at no cost, for lighting outdoor fires for the purpose of clearing land or burning brush within 300 metres of a forest. The lighting of fires for cooking and camping does not require a permit, but certain forest fire regulations must be followed. Permits and regulations can be obtained at the regional or district forest management offices around the province. A list of offices can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/nr/department/contact/forestry/forestry.html#region. Information on the forest fire season is available at www.gov.nl.ca/nr/forestry/fires/index.html

The Provincial Government operates a fleet of six waterbombers and four light helicopters which are strategically situated around the province − two in Gander and one each in Deer Lake, St. John’s, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Wabush - and available to respond should the need arise. If extra firefighting resources are required, the department will avail of the Mutual Aid Resources Sharing Agreement (MARS) that provides for the sharing of firefighting resources among provinces.

In 2011, the department’s fire suppression staff responded to 53 fires – 34 on the island portion of the province and 19 in Labrador. Approximately 593.8 hectares of forest area were burnt – 555.4 hectares in Labrador and 38.4 hectares on the island.
The Department of Natural Resources has seasonal forest firefighters stationed throughout the province. The number to report a fire is toll-free 1-866-709-FIRE (3473), and is available in all areas of the province during forest fire season.

The Town of Holyrood is looking for individuals interested in volunteering with the Beautification Committee. For more information please contact Sadie King at 229-4094 or by email sking@townofholyrood.com

Seniors Advisory Committee
If you would like to contribute and be a part of the Seniors Advisory Committee, please contact Gerry Noseworthy at 229-6274 or Sadie King at 229-4094.

Council is presently working on a number of areas to improve and add new recreation facilities in our town . We would like to get further input and recommendations from our residents to help with this.. Any interested persons who would like to sit on a committee to work with council on this please contact Jim Joy at jjoy@townofholyrood.com or Christa at cturnbull@townofholyrood.com

The next Regular Meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at the Marine Institute Marine Base at 5:30 pm.