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June 27, 2003
The last regular meeting was held on June 24, 2003, with the following in attendance: Mayor Gosine The meeting was called to order at 4:05pm. The minutes were adopted as circulated on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Pitts. Motion carried. RCMP (1) Fires - Sgt. Andrews asked that he be contacted by the Fire Dept. as soon as there is a call for a fire, so that an immediate investigation can be started. (2) Teen Centre - it was felt that the owner of the teen centre should contact the RCMP if kids are showing up there under the influence of alcohol. (3) Junior Fire Brigade - Sgt. Andrews suggested the formation of a junior fire brigade to be used to try to control crowds at fires, among other duties. (4) Other issues discussed: a. ATV's - still a problem (5) Fire Grammar St. - Sgt Andrews said our Fire Dept. did an outstanding job of fighting this fire and should be commended. ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES (1) DUMP - It was felt that we should have a watchman at the dumpsite on Saturdays. It was agreed that we would initiate this as soon as possible. (2) FOXES - Decided that we place our fox cage near the property of Michael Laurie, Main St., as there have been sightings in this area. (3) BUSES - Mr. Kent reported that Mr. James Kelloway said he would remove old buses from the Front area when school closes. (4) FITZGERALD'S LANE - Mayor Gosine felt we were not moving fast enough on installing the new line for Fitzgerald's Lane. The Town Manager said that we have a lot of work to do besides the water line and thus it is difficult to stay at this particular project for days at a time. It was felt that we need an extra employee or two to help with this project and to relieve regular workers while on vacation. A motion was made by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Pitts that the Town Manager be authorized to hire one or two workers if necessary. Motion carried. Deputy Mayor Pendergast suggested council have an emergency fund ($5000) in place for emergency programs such as the water line for Fitzgerald's Lane. (5) GARY SWEENEY - Mr. Kent informed council that Gary Sweeney had applied for the position of plumber/pipefitter assistant. It was noted that Mr. Sweeney had a note from his doctor a couple of years ago advising that due to a back injury he must do light work only for an indefinite period of time. Also a document was produced from the WHSCC where Mr. Sweeney had received a settlement for a back injury. Due to Mr. Sweeney's injury it was felt that he would not be suited for this position. However in order to reconsider him, it was decided he obtain a medical clearance from his doctor. It was stated by Councillor Laurie that if we hired Mr. Sweeney for this position, he would be a 'sitting duck' with his back condition. It was felt that we should advertise for a temporary position at this time, and reconsider Mr. Sweeney's application if he can produce a medical clearance, with no guarantees that he would be hired. (6) DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS - A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Squires that we go to the next stage regarding the removal of dilapidated buildings. Those in particular to be ordered removed are: section of Stoyles Meat Market, Florence Pynn's building, and Brian Tulk's building. Motion carried. FINANCIAL REPORT - the Town Clerk reported that the town's bank account is quite healthy at the present time. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT - (1) Agreed that we have Rick Whelan come to
work on Saturday to do some grading for the ball fields. ARENA REPORT Mr. Ford's list of things to be repaired etc was tabled. It was mentioned that we are still waiting for funding to have the roof repaired. CORRESPONDENCE (1) Letter from the Minister of WST re airstrip - requesting more information as to estimates for necessary work to be done there. (2) Letter from Mushuau Innu Band Council re youth program for Bell Island - Mayor Gosine said this program sounds like a very positive one for those Innu boys and if they are successful in obtaining funding every effort should be made to have them come and live in our community for a year. Some councillors were of the opinion that this could be a good thing or a bad thing and should be perhaps sanctioned by the citizens before any decision is reached. (3) An application from Mr. Thomas Perks to operate a glass blowing business from his property at 1 Ford St. was approved on a motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Laurie. Motion carried. (4) A request from Ms. Ashley Curnew for financial assistance to go to Shad Valley in Ontario as part of her educational program was read. As council's policy is not to donate, it was felt we could possibly help with providing some town pins and brochures to her. (5) A letter was read Judy Spender seeking
permission to hold teen dances occasionally at her establishment, Heritage
Hall. This was approved. However it was felt that if in the future she
decides to turn her building into a teen centre she would have to reapply to
council. (7) A letter was read from the Dept. of Government Services advising council to order Mr. Derek Ryan to remove a drainage pipe from his property that was causing concern for a neighbour. This order was made in a motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Pitts. Motion carried. (8) An application was received from the Princess Pub to extend their building. This was approved and covered in a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Pitts. Motion carried. (9) Lighthouse - specifications and drawings has been received and will be studied. CONCERNS (1) Mr. Kent said that Mr. Robert Reid needs a right of way to the house his son is living in as right now he has to go through the property of Mr. Art Reid and this is causing problems. It was felt that council could not get involved here. (2) Mr. Kent advised that Mr. Pat Hurley informed him that he wanted to purchase a screener for screening topsoil, so that such topsoil can be taken off Bell Island and sold. Councillor Laurie said it would be environmentally disastrous to remove topsoil and maybe we should consider making a rule that it not be removed, as once it is the land is stripped and very unattractive and cannot be replaced. Councillor Squires suggested that contractors let council know when they want topsoil and a designated area could be chosen and then the area levelled off afterwards. It was stressed though that topsoil not leave the island. (3) Mr. Kent advised that the IAS would be looking after the student payroll this summer for all organizations. He said council has two students to be hired next week. (4) Mention was made of the news item last week concerning the oil drums at the dumpsite. Mr. Kent said they have been moved to our old depot, alone with possible contaminated soil material. (5) Mr. Kent said he would be receiving a new application form soon in order to apply for funding under the Milti Materials Stewardship Program. (6) Councillor Squires said he has done some work on the Bell Island Day preparations but will be meeting with the Town Manager tomorrow to firm up more details. He said that he has been talking to some former Bell Islanders concerning Come Home Year 2004 and stressed that a good committee is vital for the success of this venture. Councillor Squires said that in order for Bell Island Day and Come Home Year to be successful he needs the co-operation of many people, with many meetings and plans being formulated. (7) Councillor Kent said that a recent incident where an employee had been bitten by a dog, should have seen more action on our part. He said the dog should have been destroyed. (8) Mayor Gosine said that some action should be taken to have Mrs. Bride Mannings property cleaned up, as it is in a very bad condition. (9) Mayor Gosine asked if council could deliver shale to the Grotto in Lance Cove. It was felt that this was not our concern and perhaps one of the local contractors should be approached by Mr. Stoyles to have this work done. (10) Mayor Gosine said he had a conversation with the Minister of Municipal Affairs while in Gander last week at a meeting. He said things look very positive for us in obtaining funding for the Arena roof, the purchase of a used dump truck, and the new water line for Fitzgerald's Lane. (11) It was felt we should apply for funding through the Green Project (through Sam Synard) which is being used for environmental innovative ideas on a 70/30 cost sharing basis. (12) All councillors asked to be registered for the annual convention being held in Gander in Oct. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:55pm on a motion by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried CONFIRMED ----------------------------------MAYOR ------------------------------------TOWN CLERK Next meeting July 22, 2003
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