Mar. 30,2004

 

The last regular meeting was held on Mar. 30, 2004, with the following in attendance:

 

            Mayor Gosine

            Deputy Mayor Pendergast

            Councillor Kent

            Councillor Laurie

            Councillor Pitts

            Councillor Squires

            Councillor Wade

            Town Manager, Mr. Kent

            Town Clerk, Mrs. Butler

 

            Brian Tulk, resident

 

The meeting was called to order at 4:05pm by Mayor Gosine.  The minutes of the last regular meeting were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast.  Motion carried.

 

Brian Tulk

Mr. Tulk was present to discuss the letter he recently received from council ordering him to have his building on Fitzgerald’s Lane torn down.  He asked for a three-month reprieve, as he wants to carry out some repairs to the building with a view to eventually moving into it.  A motion was made by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Wade that a three-month extension be granted to Mr. Tulk in order to have some cosmetic work carried out on his house. Motion carried.

 

Arising out of the minutes

 

Dog Issue – Mayor Gosine said he heard that Councillor Kent had made a remark in a public place that “the Mounties should have better things to do then to go around checking on dogs” Councillor Kent denied ever saying this, and indeed he said he is in favour of the work the RCMP and council are doing in controlling the dog population and having dogs registered and tagged.

 

Buildings – A motion was made by Councillor Squires and seconded by Councillor Wade that the following owners of dilapidated buildings be contacted and ordered to have their buildings removed in 21 days from the date of their notice.  Motion carried.

            Louis Carbage – two buildings on the Green.

            Dan Hynes – building at Fifth St.

            The late Harold Miller’s property – Fifth St.

            The late Mrs. Cousins’ property – Fourth St.

 

Also at this time it was agreed that a three-month reprieve be granted to Florence Pynn, Dan Craig, Wayne Crann, as well as Brian Tulk, to have their buildings brought up to an acceptable standard.

 

Beach Area – Councillor Laurie spoke on the condition of the Beach, and that the entrance to our island is badly in need of dressing up and beautifying.  It was mentioned that Corp. Merrill had said he had applied for some funding for beautification, perhaps this will help with dressing up the area. 

 

Walking Trails – Councillor Squires asked who would be responsible in the event of an accident on the trials.  Paul Connors our Economic Development Office was asked to step into the meeting to explain what and if anything was taking place concerning liability.   He explained that a study is presently being done which will include natural tourist attractions, like walking trials, etc. across the province.  He said he would be obtaining a copy of this study when completed.  Right now he said there isn’t an insurance company in the province that would get involved with such natural attractions.  Mr. Connors said that signs are posted, but sometimes the mere fact that they are posted indicates that an accident could happen.

 

Loader Repairs – Mr. Kent informed council that the reason the motor had to be replaced in the Front End Loader was because the old one had completely worn out.

 

Come Home Year 2005 – Mr. Kent said he would start to get this moving and help organize it.  Council authorized him to proceed.

 

Chlorination System – Mr. Kent informed council that the contractors are still working on the pumping stations trying to obtain proper chlorine levels and to insure everything is working properly before the boil order is lifted.

 

Hepatitis B Shots – Councillor Laurie informed council that as far as she knows the council employees have not as yet gotten their shots, she said it is very important that they do so.

 

Dog Tags – Mention was made at the last meeting that dog tags should be issued free of charge.  Mr. Kent informed council that an amendment would have to be made to our Animal Regulations in order to have this enforced.  Furthermore he said quite a few people have recently been licensing their animals and paying the $10.00 fee. It was agreed we would not amend our regulations at this time.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT, TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT, AND ARENA REPORT accepted as presented.

 

APPLICATIONS:

From Father Douglas Barrett to build a house on Armoury Road

And (2) From Mr. and Mrs. Keith Quigley to open a bed and breakfast from their home on Bennett’s Land were approved in principle on a motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast.  Motion carried.

 

COUNCILLORS’ CONCERNS:

 

Mayor Gosine asked that we give a donation of $100.00 to the High School volleyball team who have won the provincial title and will be travelling outside the province in May to compete.  This was agreed and covered in a motion by Councillor Wade and seconded by Councillor Pitts.  Motion carried.

 

Councillor Squires said he would like to see a breakdown of overtime expenses and other winter operation costs for the past two years.

 

At this point in the meeting Mr. Edward Kent and Mr. Dave Brazil from the Users Committee entered the meeting and informed council about cuts to our ferry service, an increase in rates, the proposed new ferry put on hold, cuts to the MOG, closures of HRE offices, and other areas of concern as a result of the Provincial Budget which was brought down today in the House of Assembly. Indeed they said this is a very bleak time for Bell Island and indeed all of Newfoundland.

 

The meeting adjourned at 5:25pm on a motion by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Wade.  Motion carried.

 

Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Apr. 27, 2004 at 4pm.

 

CONFIRMED

 

 

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Mayor                              Town Clerk