The last regular meeting was held on Tuesday, Nov. 25 with the following in attendance:

Mayor Gosine
Deputy Mayor Pendergast
Councillor Kent
Councillor Laurie
Councillor Pitts
Councillor Wade
Town Manager, Mr. Kent
Town Clerk, Mrs. Butler

Const. Bennett, RCMP

Mr. Sean Wiltshire, Avalon Employment Services

Mayor Gosine called the meeting to order at 4pm. The minutes of the last regular meeting were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Wade. Motion carried.

RCMP
Const. Bennett reported on the following:

(1) He presented a list of dilapidated buildings that should be torn down in the community, as they become hangouts for young people and fire hazards.

(2) Bus Shelters - notices should be posted on them re no loitering after school hours.

(3) He reported that the Teen Centre is doing well with the zero alcohol tolerance rule there. Attendance is down a little, but some 'new' kids are going there now and having fun.

(4) Const. Bennett reported that the newsletter will be out in the next day or so and will be a monthly circulation.

(5) Counterfeit Money - this is a big problem on the island now. Const. Bennett reported that store owners and other businesses are being asked to record who passed in counterfeit money, the date, and the serial number, in an effort to try to see some sort of consistency or pattern to the situation, with a view to finding those responsible.

SEAN WILTSHIRE

After a lengthy discussion it was decided that we would lease the Old Town Hall building to The Avalon Employment Services for $1.00 with an agreement in place in the event we would need the building ourselves sometime in the future. It was felt by those present that this would be an excellent site for the operation and a good move for the six handicapped people involved, and also it would be a great location for such an operation.
A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Pitts that we allow The Avalon Employment Services the use of the Old Town Hall with a signed agreement in place in the event of future need for the building. Motion carried with Councillor Kent voting nay. Councillor Kent felt that the building they are presently using is suitable, and the move should not be made for that reason and another reason concerning the friction between Joan Whalen and Bridie Pynn, both of whom are presently working at the present greenhouse site.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES:

(1) Gary Sweeney - Grievance/Arbitration - It was felt that we would accept the recommendation of our lawyer, Mr. Robert Pittman, for an arbitrator.

Mr. Kent said that we have another Grievance from Mr. Sweeney claiming he should be considered for overtime. Council was of the opinion that in order for Mr. Sweeney to be considered for overtime he must first obtain a full medical clearance from his doctor.

Councillor Kent asked if there was some way we could recover some of the legal fees we have incurred regarding Mr. Sweeney and his grievances. He suggested we check with the union to see if we could recover costs from them.

(2) Foxes - Councillor Laurie reported that all of her female ducks had been destroyed by foxes. It was decided to put our fox cage on the Laurie property again with a view to capturing the fox or foxes. Mayor Gosine suggested that we contact the Wildlife officials at Paddy's Pond concerning the fox problem.

(3) Chlorination system - Mr. Kent reported that work will be carried out in he Quigley's Line area today, and after that the system should be close to being completed. It was felt that both James Pendergast and Gerry Sweeney be trained for the proper operation and care of the chlorination systems.

(4) Arena Roof - Mr. Kent reported that the contract has been awarded and work should be starting soon.

FINANCIAL REPORT: Accepted as presented.

TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
1. Mr. Kent reported that he is still waiting for word re the HRE project (60 weeks) which he has applied for.
2. It was mentioned that there are grants available now for brush cutting and that we should apply for one. This will be done.
3. Deputy Mayor Pendergast made a good point regarding the incinerator job, and if Mr. Sweeney has to be replaced or if he wins the grievance issue and is hired as an assistant pipefitter, we will be required to fill the incinerator position with another unionized employee.
4. Mayor Gosine reported that Gerry Sweeney, our current assistant pipefitter, has a chance of a job with the City of St. John's, and has requested they give him six months to hold this job for him for personal reasons.
5. Fish Plant - Mayor Gosine explained the issue re urchin dumping and the problems with the Flanders due to such dumping. He said the Fish Plant operators would be charged under the Environmental Act.
6. North Atlantic - still waiting to hear back from them regarding the former ESSO tank site for their proposed tank farm.
7. Signs - Mr. Kent reported that several road signs need to be replaced.

ARENA REPORT: Accepted as presented.

CORRESPONDENCE:

(1) Letter from Capital Coast re AGM - those wishing to attend can do so.
(2) Letter from MMSB Re Waste Management - ordered placed on file.
(3) Letter from Dept. of Tourism re development of a cold water aquarium - ordered placed on file.

CONCERNS:

(1) Mr. Kent advised that a grant of $10,000 would be forthcoming from MMSB to clean up streams, etc.
(2) Night Shift - Mr. Kent inquired as to whether Mr. Gerry Sweeney should be included in the night shift schedule when it is drawn up. It was agreed that he would be.
(3) Christmas Dinner for fireman - council agreed to pay for costs involved.
(4) Christmas Bonuses for employees - agreed that they be given a Christmas card and $100.00 each.
(5) The Town Clerk inquired if a streetlight will be erected in the Fifth St. area. This was authorized and will be placed there as soon as possible.
(6) It was agreed that the streetlight request for Jackman's Lane be deferred.
(7) Councillor Pitts said an old building on Fourth Street (formerly owned by Mrs. Cousins) should be removed, along with three old sheds there as well. Also mentioned so the old Whalen property on Main St. which should be taken down.
(8) Councillor Pitts said that some old pipe near the dug out on the sports field should be removed.
(9) Councillor Pitts reported that the School Zone sign near Davis' on Davidson Ave. has been removed. This to be checked into, as well as other School Zone signs which have been removed, by vandalism no doubt. It was suggested that the schools should be notified with a view to informing the students not to throw rocks at those signs or pull them down.
(10) Councillor Pitts reported that the recent function she attended at St. Michael's School (re Remembrance Day) was very impressive.
(11) Councillor Laurie suggested we ask our employees if they want to have Hepatitis B injections to protect them from getting Hepatitis from working with sewer systems, etc. This was felt to be a good suggestion and will be discussed with the employees. Council will pay for any incurred fees for such injections.
(12) Councillor Laurie said she would like to be one of the town's representatives on the Ferry Users Committee when they pick their executive soon. Mayor Gosine said he would be the other. This was approved.
(13) Councillor Laurie asked that we check to see if we can recover some of our legal costs through the Small Claims Clout re the Hollie O'Neill/dog issue.
(14) Councillor Laurie felt that me might be able to place Christmas lights on the poles on Town Square as it is done in other places, Duckworth St., St. John's for example. It was felt that we should check with the Downtown Dev. Corp. to determine if NF Power owns those poles or the city.
(15) Councillor Kent asked what we intended to do with our old Zamboni. Mr. Kent informed council that after many attempts to sell it (through ads in the newspaper), he felt it could be sold to Bill Lawrence (who had requested to buy it), for $300.00 with the understanding that if we need some part (hoses for example) from it he would give them to us. This was agreed and covered in a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Wade. Motion carried.
(16) Mayor Gosine showed council the plaque which was prepared and will be presented to Raymond (former mayor and councillor) and Mabel Gendreau on their fifieth wedding anniversary on Nov. 29, 2003.
(17) Mayor Gosine asked if it would be feasible for us to purchase a blade for our new backhoe. This to be investigated.
(18) Mayor Gosine suggested the murals outside the Wabana Complex be moved inside now to prevent damage during the winter.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6pm on a motion by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Wade. Motion carried.

CONFIRMED

_______________________Mayor ________________________Town Clerk