At the local service district’s annual public meeting, held Aug. 17, committee chair Kevin Keats said it owes $251,000 to the provincial government. This stems from a $67,000 loan taken 20 years ago to cover its sewer system. That initial loan has ballooned due to interest and payments in arrears.
Mr. Keats said the committee has asked the province to reduce the amount owed back to $67,000, which it would then arrange to payoff over a period of time. However, the province is only willing to eliminate $49,000 worth of late fees, with all interest remaining. Until a payment plan is put in place, it will not be able to qualify for municipal operating grants.
The province did offer the committee another option – join the Town of Gander, and the debt would be written off.
“We’re going to look at all avenues and what’s the best avenues for the residents of this community,” said Mr. Keats. “If we did go under Gander, would it benefit the residents of this community, or is it better to stay as we are?”
The biggest concern for the community if it were to join Gander would be a perceived loss of identity, said Mr. Keats.
“You can’t cry over spilled milk – you just pick up and move on.” - — Kevin Keats
“A lot of these people were born and raised here, and even though they work in Gander, kids go to school in Gander, everything is still about Gander, but your identity comes back home to Benton.”
Before any studies could be undertaken by the Department of Municipal Affairs, the local service district committee will have to contact the Town of Gander to gauge whether it would approve allowing Benton to come under its wing.
Best foot forward
Mr. Keats said the community has had its problems in the past, but the current committee looking after it, formed 15 months ago, is doing its best to make things better for the future.
“You can’t cry over spilled milk – you just pick up and move on. That’s exactly what this administration has agreed to do. We don’t care about the past. We’re trying to make it better for the future, and that’s where our focus is.”
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