The mayor of a town on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula says there was no need for a Harbour Grace resident to have taken matters in his own hands when he filled in a pothole on a local street.

John Warren took a wheelbarrow full of stone to a pothole that he blames for nearly damaging his vehicle, and filled in the hole with rocks.

'I just think it was handled inappropriately.'—Harbour Grace Mayor Don Coombs

Warren declined a recorded interview with CBC News, but said a town crew came by a day after the local newspaper published a story on his exploits.

Mayor Don Coombs said the town has no record of Warren or of the pothole itself.

"I've been on council for 20-plus years. First time I've heard of it," Coombs said in an interview Monday.

"I don't know what Mr. Warren is thinking. He never contacted the office," Coombs said.

After the newspaper article was published, Coombs made inquiries about what had happened.

"I did call our town clerk administrator, who never heard from Mr. Warren [and who] was unaware of the situation. I just think it was handled inappropriately."

Coombs said the town responds to complaints about potholes, and at this time of year, fixes them with crushed stone until asphalt is available for repaving.

"We spend a fair chunk of change at that," said Coombs, who added he had no knowledge of why town crews would respond to that hole a day after a newspaper account appeared. He said the town has a schedule for repairs.

Coombs said there is no need for residents to fill in potholes, but instead to contact the town office.

"[Fixing potholes is] a concern that we have, and certain places are worse than the others. We get them done as soon as we can," he said.