ST. JOHN'S, N.L. —

Victoria Blagdon was initially delighted to hear upgrades would be made to the sewer system, road and sidewalks in front of her house.

She wasn’t so delighted months later when she received a bill from the City of St. John’s for almost $10,000 for civic assessment costs associated with the work.

“There was an emptiness in the pit of my stomach. There was an immediate gut reaction of complete disbelief,” said Blagdon.

“But that was quickly followed by anger. Just talking about it now, my body is still physically reacting to it. I’ve almost got chills.”

Blagdon’s was one of 51 households on Bay Bulls Road, in the Kilbride area of the city, billed following the work done last summer. The project included the installation of a new storm sewer system, storm laterals to each property, widening of the road, including new asphalt, new sidewalks, and curb and gutter on both sides of the road.

The three-phase project cost a total of more than $9.2 million — $1.766 million for Phase 1, $2.477 million for Phase 2 and $5 million for Phase 3. Work was completed in September.

It was joint funding initiative between the provincial government and the City of St. John’s, with each paying 46.5 per cent of the cost.

Residents in the 51 households impacted by the upgrades would be on the hook for seven per cent.

Blagdon figured she’d receive a minor charge for the improvements — not the big bills she got.

She immediately called Ward 5 Coun. Wally Collins and the project manager to express her disgust.

“I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re giving him a $10,000 bill in the middle of COVID when my husband just lost his job, and just before Christmas? Are you serious?’” Blagdon said.