July 20, 2004
The last regular
meeting was held on Tuesday, July 20, 2004, with the following in
attendance: Mayor
Gosine Deputy
Mayor Pendergast Councillor
Kent Councillor
Laurie Councillor
Pitts Town
Clerk, Mrs. Butler The meeting was called
to order at 4:10pm. The minutes
were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor Pitts and seconded by
Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried. ARISING OUT OF THE
MINUTES
(1)
Canada Day – Mayor Gosine said the event hosted by the town was
quite successful. Councillor
Laurie felt that next year we should build on our celebrations with
preparations starting perhaps around mid March 2005. (2)
Lighthouse residence – to be scrapped and painted this week. Councillor Laurie
questioned if the interior of the house would be remodeled and used as a
tourist chalet. (3)
Paving Program – Mayor Gosine said that a little extra patchwork
would be done on Hunt’s Hill to make it more presentable and more finished
looking. It was agreed that the
extra costs be authorized and would become part of the contract. (4)
Gary Sweeney – letter was presented from the Union advising that
the Grievance re Gary Sweeney-July 8th. would be advancing to the
next step, which is arbitration. It was agreed that we notify our lawyer, Robert Pittman, of
this decision and reply to the union accordingly.
FINANCIAL
REPORT – Accepted as
presented. TOWN
MANAGER’S REPORT –
Accepted as presented. (1)
Lance Cove Beach – Cyril Simms will be returning to see if the old
boat could be removed from the ocean there. (2)
Community Service – agreed that we write Henry Crane thanking him
for his part in having community service workers placed with us for various
periods of time. (3)
Bell on Beach Hill – to be fixed up, and some salt put on the grass
to stunt growth. Check with
Paul Connors re this. CORRESPONDENCE
(1)
Grievance Gary Sweeney – already dealt with earlier in meeting. (2)
Memo NLFM – ordered placed on file. (3)
Letter from visitor Donald Mercer, recommending that portable toilets
be placed at Lance Cove beach as this is a very popular area for tourists
and locals alike. Agreed that
the letter be forwarded to the committee in Lance Cove responsible for the
care and maintenance of the beach area. (4)
Letter from Paul Steffler, Lance Cove, concerning dirt-bikes and
dirt-bike racing on the Bell Meadow. He
feels council is not carrying out their duties, as council has not approved
this activity. Mayor Gosine
said he would pass this letter on to the Motorcross officials who would have
to seek official approval from council for such activity in this area.
The application will then have to be dealt with as outlined in our
municipal plan and development regulations. (5)
Letter from Llew Bragg re water problems on Renown St. Mr. Bragg was
concerned that Jim Pendergast had made a statement to him that “someone on
Renown St. is running water continuously and is causing the pump to lose
pressure”. Mr. Bragg felt
that we should write everyone on Renown St. informing them of this
situation. It was felt that we might have to take some steps to see if
water pressure can be improved in this area. (6)
Copy of letter, which was sent to the RCMP from Ed Coxworthy who is
very concerning about heavy traffic (especially ATV’s) on the road leading
to Lance Cove Beach. This
letter was for council’s information, as we have no jurisdiction in that
area. The RCMP will have to
step up patrols there perhaps. (7)
An application from Mr. Max Quinlan (Brad’s Convenience) to build
two apartments unto his store at West Mines was approved in principle on a
motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Pitts.
Motion carried. COUNCILLORS’ CONCERNS
(1)
Councillor Laurie said she had been approached by Councillor Squires
who is requesting a change in meeting times so that he can attend as he is
working on meeting days now. It
was suggested that Councillor Squires be asked if he could possibly ask
someone to work for him for the two hours on meeting days, which is only
once per month. (2)
Councillor Laurie said that there is a lack of signage leading to the
various places of interest for tourists visiting the island.
Also she felt the students or some other person should provide a
guided tour, as tourists ask about such tours all the time. (3)
Councillor Laurie felt that the Bell Meadow area should not be
destroyed by dirt bike owners, she said this area is a beautiful place to
visit by locals and visitors and it should not be destroyed by bike races,
etc. (4)
Councillor Kent suggested we contact the Dept. of Transportation and
Services with a view to having much needed road work and drain work, and
brush cutting, etc. carried out here. Mayor
Gosine informed council that a letter was sent today to Minister Whalen’s
office concerning this issue. (5)
Councillor Kent wondered if the contractors were being monitored
while carrying out the paving project.
He was informed that our consulting engineers are on site all the
time while the program is in operation.
Councillor Kent was concerned that asphalt was not properly covered
with tarps when being transported to the island. (6)
Councillor Kent reported that rock had been trucked to Ken Basha’s
residence by Hurley’s Construction late one evening with no compensation
to council for such rock removal. (7)
Councillor Kent inquired about the IAS and if Paul Connors was still
working. It was mentioned that
indeed the IAS is in full swing with Mr. Connors carrying out his duties of
Economic Development Officer. (8)
Councillor Kent recommended that a resolution be forwarded to the
NLFM for the annual convention, deeming the ferry service as essential. This was agreed by all, and it was suggested that Mr. Edward
Kent be asked to prepare the documentation concerning this resolution. (9)
Councillor Kent asked that we have the ball fields mowed, and the
roads leading to them graded. This to be carried out when time allows.
The grass to be mowed right away as a tournament will be taking place
on them this weekend. (10 Mayor Gosine asked
that a list of all sick time used by Mr. Gary Sweeney for the past two years
be available for next meeting. (10)
Mayor Gosine expressed concern that almost all of our employees are
on vacation at the same time, and this should not happen in future.
He said employees would be recalled if they are needed, or we will
have to hire some workers if we are unable to carry on essential municipal
services with the present crew of two workers. (11)
Councillor Kent expressed concern that with the increase in
electricity bills, council will have an extra $16,000 to budget for.
(12)
Councillor Kent said that it had come to his attention that Mr. John
Hutchings, who had lost his house by fire, and had a new one constructed for
him from donations from the general public, has had an overdue invoice at
Clarke and Clarke paid for by council. The Town Clerk explained that Mr.
Clarke had deducted the amount owned by the Hutchings Fund, from his tax
invoice, and that this amount was approximately $3200.
Mayor Gosine said that there is about $1200 in the bank account that
will be forwarded to council, which leaves a balance of $2000 for Mr.
Hutchings to pay. Several
councillors felt that the town should not have been involved in having such
bills paid, if the Mayor takes these fundraisers upon himself to oversee.
Mayor Gosine said he would take responsibility for having the $2000
paid back to council. He said
this was a small amount left after a beautiful $60,000 house was constructed
for this family who had lost everything in the fire. (13)
Councillor Pitts wondered if the old town hall building would be
painted and dressed up soon as it is an eyesore to the public. (14)
Councillor Pitts also was concerned that the large Kelloway building
on Bennett St. had not been painted. It was mentioned that Mr. James
Kelloway had been written concerning this building, and that Mr. Tom
Kelloway had been written concerning his building on Memorial St. (15)
Deputy Mayor Pendergast advised that Mr. Ambrose Rose would be paying
his current taxes with post-dated cheques.
He said he would be visiting the office tomorrow or the next day. (16)
Mayor Gosine informed council that before the Town Manager went on
vacation he had received a phone call from Mr. Ken Andrews of the Dept. of
Natural Resources who wishes to inform council that their department has
received inquiries from interested persons regarding the iron ore left at
Bell Island. He said they would be calling for proposals with a target date
for the end of August or the first of September for persons to respond.
It was mentioned that there are a lot of requirements now for this
type of development and that officials from the Dept. of Natural Resources
are available to meet with council to provide more details. (17)
Mayor Gosine said that a car course would be conducted at the
airstrip this weekend, and those conducting it may seek permission to use
the complex for overnight accommodations. (18)
Councillor Laurie informed those present that a medical survey on the
health needs of Bell Island will be conducted by phone soon. She asked that
if any council members are contacted to please co-operate with the caller
and be involved in the survey, and that councillors should inform their
neighbours and friends that they may be asked to take part in the survey too
and they should be encouraged to do so.
This Councillor Laurie said is a positive thing for our island. There being no further
business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:10pm on a motion by
Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Laurie.
Motion carried. CONFIRMED _______________________
Mayor ________________________
Town Clerk Next regular meeting
scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 31st at 4pm.
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