Historic Dorchester may be an “easy” place to live, as this sign used to claim, but sometimes it can be a bit “weird” too.

Last week, when Tantramar Town Council reached the agenda item called “statements and inquiries,” Councillor Debbie Wiggins-Colwell tried to ask about the altered sign.

“This inquiry is concerning our welcoming sign coming into Dorchester,” she began.

“As most of you may know it has been…” she continued only to be interrupted by Mayor Andrew Black.

“If we want to discuss this, we will have to move in camera,” he warned.

Councillor Debbie Wiggins-Colwell

“I can’t make an inquiry about it?” Wiggins-Colwell asked.

“You can, but you can inquire in camera with us if you wish,” Black said indicating that the sign could not be discussed in public.

After the council chamber was cleared of all spectators and most staff, council spent nearly 10 minutes in a closed-door session.

In response to an e-mail inquiry from Warktimes asking what the town is doing about the sign, CAO Jennifer Borne replied:

“As this is a legal file, we would be unable to comment at this time. We appreciate this story is of high public interest, but we adhere to the provisions of the Local Governance Act.”

‘Full title to the property’

“Weird eh?” Bill Steele wrote yesterday on Facebook Messenger.

Steele, who operates the Dorchester Jail Bed & Breakfast that is advertised at the bottom of the sign, was responding to questions from Warktimes.

“I have full title to the property that the sign is on,” he said.

“There are no registered encumbrances on the property. I also checked with my lawyer when I first acquired the property. There are no agreements in place. It [the sign] is a part of ‘real property’ on my lot. Just like a fence post – or a tree,” he added.

“I’ve maintained the sign. I’ve maintained the property around the sign as well since I moved here,” he writes.

“No one has approached me about the sign from Staff or Council. They abandoned that sign (like it or not).”

Steele went on to say that he’s happy the sign is giving people a chuckle, although he acknowledged that some are upset about it.

As for the town, he writes:

“They must ask my permission to go on my property. But I’m sure they will take the long way around about this. I’m sure a legal letter is coming / who knows. Instead of just knocking on my door and asking me.”

Conflict with town

Bill Steele outside his Dorchester Jail Bed & Breakfast last December

Steele wrote that even though he’s had excellent relations with the new council and staff, he has submitted an invoice to the town for damage to the lot and driveway he owns next to his jail.

The Village of Dorchester had been using it for parking until Steele told them to stop.

“Yes – the parking lot for the old Village office. They plowed and tore up the asphalt / they outright refuse to repair it,” he writes.

“Currently all staff and contractors are prohibited from using my driveways to the Village office. If you notice when the staff arrive, they park on the street. They all stay off my driveways.”

‘Give me a call’

Steele says that instead of sending legal letters, town officials should talk to him directly.

“They must be too proud to pick up the phone and give me a call. Make sure that is included. Kind of throws all those good wishes and dreams out the window when you don’t have the courage to give your neighbour a call,” he writes.

“Print that Bruce. No one has said a word to me.”