TOWN OF WABANA

Dec. 15, 2005

The last regular meeting was held on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, with the following in attendance:

Mayor Gosine
Deputy Mayor Pendergast
Councillor Craig
Councillor Kent
Councillor Laurie
Councillor McCarthy
Councillor Somerton
Town Manager, Mr. Kent
Town Clerk, Mrs. Butler
Arena Manager, Mr. Gillingham

The Mayor convened the meeting at 7:00pm. The minutes of the following meeting were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried:

Regular meeting held Nov. 22, 2005.
Special meeting held Dec. 12, 2005.

Because our Arena Manager was present at the meeting it was decided to deal with the Arena Report first:

ARENA REPORT
Councillor McCarthy said he would like to see school curling take place at the arena, and felt the necessary curling lines be painted on the ice surface. Mr. Gillingham responded that curling would not be as advantageous money-wise as the current programs are. He did say though that he does intend to have school curling eventually when he has some work done on the floor/ice surface. Mayor Gosine said that the Kiwanis would be having their annual bonspiel on Mar. 1, 2005. Mr. Gillingham said the ice will be ready for this.

Councillor Kent commended Mr. Gillingham on the good condition of the arena, and that it even ‘smells’ better there. It was felt that the new manager is doing very well and people are very impressed with him and that the rink is being utilized for more hours than in the past.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
(1) Paving – Mayor Gosine said that we should get new pavement in the new year as well as the approved pavement left over from 2005.
(2) Street Light – Councillor Kent mentioned that the light on St. Pat’s Lane has been relocated, with no complaints yet from anyone in the area.
(3) Committees – The Mayor said he would be reducing the number of committees from eight to five and will be naming chairs for those committees in the next few weeks.
The committees will be: (1) Finance (2) Human Relations and Labour Relations (3) Planning and Municipal Works (4) Recreation and Special Events (5) Tourism and Business Development. Mayor Gosine said that the chairs of those committees would report to council, for sanctioning of any recommendations.
(4) North Atlantic – Letter has been sent to them re their proposed minimum delivery amount, and requesting a meeting with them.
(5) Classic Mouldings – It was mentioned that they will continue to store equipment here, but other parts of the complex will be used to store vehicles as in the past.
(6) Pre-Budget Consultations – Mayor Gosine said he was disappointed that council did not present a brief at the consultation hearing, he said that we can still send a written brief. Councillor Craig suggested we check with the NLFM to see if they had presented a brief.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING:
(1) Tax schedule for 2006 – recommended no changes from 2005 except that those receiving Peddlers’ Permits be informed that the permit is for a designated area only. Such designation to be at the discretion of the Town Manager. Also that car wreck removal would cost $25.00 for the first year of removal, and if we have to return the next year to the same place the cost would be $75.00 and years beyond that would be $100.00 per vehicle.
The tax schedule with those changes were approved on a motion by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.
(2) Union Proposals for 2006 – A motion was made by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor McCarthy that the proposals of the Finance Committee be approved. Motion carried.
(3) Budget for 2006 in the amount of $1,610,631. was approved as recommended by the Finance Committee, on a motion by Councillor Somerton and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried.
(4) James Kelloway – The committee recommended that Mr. Kelloway be given permission to operate an inspection station for his buses under the name of Island Motors (2005) Ltd. This was approved in principle on a motion by Coucnillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT
Accepted as presented.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
(1) Problem with fire answering machine – Mr. Kent explained that the problem has now been rectified at no expense to the town.
(2) Mr. Kent explained the situation regarding the new septic tank for Dosco Hill.
(3) Mr. Kent provided estimates for a used dump truck. None of these seemed suitable for council. After a discussion it was felt that we should invest in a new 2006 dump truck. A motion was made by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor McCarthy that we purchase or least a 2006 Dump Truck, cab and chassis, dump and sander, and that a tender package be prepared and a notice placed in the Telegram. Motion carried.
(4) Mr. Kent reported that a water line leak had been repaired near the Wabana Boys and Girls Club.
(5) Tenders for the delivery of salt and sand were presented. The lowest tender from ATS Trucking was accepted in the amount of $1350. on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor McCarthy. Motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE
(1) Letter from Mr.Keith Hawco re mess behind Kelloway’s building on Bennett St. Mr. Kent explained that Mr. Kelloway had started to clean up the mess but had problems with his front end loader. Agreed that we advise Mr. Hawco that Mr. Kelloway will be finishing the clean up as quickly as possible. Also it was agreed that council would treat the area afterwards if rodents are discovered there.
(2) Letter from Public Works Canada, re surplus federal real property, Readmen’s Head, Bell Island – the council agreed on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Craig to the transfer of this land to the town (where the dwelling formerly used by the light housekeeper now sits), and also the portion of roadway which they referred to be transferred to the town with road maintenance and snow clearing services provided by us.
(3) Letter from the Dept. of Environment re workshop on climate change. Anyone wishing to attend can do so.
(4) Letter from the Federation of Municipal Administrators regarding procedures for non-payment of taxes by councilors.
(5) Information from FCM – Mayor Gosine informed council that the FCM convention would be held in Montreal in June and that two representatives from our council should attend.
(6) From CBDC – AGM – Mayor Gosine commended the Town Manager on his serving on this committee since 1988. Councillor McCarthy said he would like to become a member of this committee now.
(7) An application from Mr. Mike Laurie for a Bed and Breakfast in his home on Main St. was approved in principle on a motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried.
(8) Request from the Fire Dept. for council to provide a Christmas dinner for them at the Rychrist Inn. This was agreed and covered in a motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried.

COUNCILLORS’CONCERNS
(1) Councillor Laurie was concerned that the speed limit was not being adhered to on Main St. Agreed that we contact Corp. Merrill re this.
(2) Councillor Laurie said the report on Health and Welfare on the Island should be released soon.
(3) Deputy Mayor Pendergast wished all members of council and staff a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
(4) Councillor Kent was concerned that election posters have been put on traffic signs, and wondered if this was proper and allowed. Agreed to check into this.
(5) Coucnillor Kent said No. 6 Ballfield should be checked for missing gates and other needed repairs. The Town Manager to check into this.
(6) Councillor Kent said we should consider increasing the practice fees for firemen in the new year.
(7) Councillor Somerton reiterated what Councillor Kent said about the fire practice fees, and also what Councillor McCarthy said about school curling.
(8) Councillor Somerton felt there should be regular updates when the ferries are having mechanical or other reasons to be off or delayed.
(9) Councillor Craig again mentioned the West Track from Mr. Riv Ford’s to Mr. Ed. Whelan’s, and that it will soon be impassable and should be upgraded when time permits.
(10) Councillor Craig asked if Christmas bonuses will be provided to employees this year. It was agreed that $100.00 be given to each employee. This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.
(11) Mayor Gosine suggested our mechanic have a look at a used excavator in St. John’s which he recently saw for sale.
(12) Mayor Gosine suggested we approach Mrs. Marilyn Sheppard about the pallets on her property and perhaps suggest she offer them for sale.

The Mayor and all councilors wished each other a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35PM on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried.

CONFIRMED

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Mayor
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Town Clerk

A Christmas party followed the meeting.
Next regular meeting Jan. 17, 2006