Feb. 22, 2005

The last regular meeting was held on Feb. 22nd with the following in attendance:

Mayor Gosine
Deputy Mayor Pendergast
Councillor Kent
Councillor Pitts
Councillor Squires
Town Manager, Mr. Kent

RCMP Rep. Boyd Merrill

The meeting was called to order at 3:40 by Mayor Gosine. The minutes were adopted as circulated (and later amended) on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Pitts. Motion carried.

Mayor Gosine, on behalf of council, passed on condolences to Councillor Squires on the recent loss of his brother who recently passed away. Councillor Squires thanked the Mayor for his expression of sympathy.

RCMP

(1) Corp. Merrill informed council that he is very pleased with the decrease in criminal activities over the last year on Bell Island. He identified two priorities for 2004 (1) drugs and (2) ATV use. He said calls received are down 80% regarding ATVs. Also that a decrease of 60% from 2003 in all crimes has been reported.

(2) Corp. Merrill reported that the newsletter is a big success but it takes a lot of time, manpower, and money to produce. It was decided that council would undertake to pay the monthly postage fees for the newsletters.

(3)Corp. Merrill reported that a policing plan with five members will be put in place for the summer months with resources also from off the island for other policing responsibilities. He said a new member, Sean Tipple, from Nova Scotia, will be coming in September to replace Const. Bennett.

Mayor Gosine thanked Corp. Merrill for his presentation earlier today at the meeting with Minister Paul Shelly.

It was agreed that a letter be sent to RCMP Greg Morrow, congratulating him on his new appointment as superintendent.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

(1) It was decided that the minutes be amended as follows:
Page 3, No. 5 - the following would be deleted: "and was indeed recommended by him for the next position of a heavy equipment operator with council without any opposition from the other council members present.

Page 4, No. 5 - the following would be deleted: "it was felt that perhaps the Mayor should not have mentioned Dale Butler's name at the meeting in Dec. and let the hiring procedure proceed the way it always has".

TSUNAMI DISASTER

Mayor Gosine is waiting for picture with other groups to present donation.

TIDY TOWNS

Council to submit article for RCMP newsletter.

DEPT. OF MUNICIPAL AND PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS

Mayor will arrange a visit with Minister Byrne and MHA Dianne Whelan at a later date. Also to secure a list of WST roads for upgrading this year, and an estimate for paving the road to the Valley. It was decided also to secure a list of residents who are not connected to water and sewer in the town.

EMERGENCY PLAN

Update our plan and arrange a meeting for the end of March.

CANADIAN FEDERATION OF MUNICIPALITIES CONVENTION

Request made to obtain costs for registration, hotels, companions' registration, etc. within the next couple of weeks.

SCOTTIE UPSHALL

To be discussed at a later date.

FLORENCE PYNN'S PROPERTY

A motion was made by Councillor Squires and seconded by Councillor Pitts to rescind the previous motion made for Mrs. Pynn regarding her property at Quigley's Line. Motion carried.

Next a motion was made by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Pitts that Mr. Dave Boland be given a period of six weeks to bring the property, formerly owned by Florence Pynn, up to an acceptable standard. Motion carried.

BELL MARINE INC

A letter to be sent to the Fish Plant regarding the water supply to the plant.

LIGHTHOUSE

Arrange meeting for Mar. 1, 2005, at 4:15pm with council, Heritage Society and Mr. Paul Connors, the Economic Development Officer

FIRE HALL SIREN

Request made to reactivate the siren for the summer months for Come Home Year.

RON MERCER

Request made to have update for council on testing results.

REPORTS - Financial Report, Town Manager's Report and Arena Manager's Report accepted as presented.

APPLICATIONS

(1) Gary Sweeney - to build a new house on Backview Street. Approved on a motion by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Squires. Motion carried.
(2) Ray Crane - to operate teen centre at the former Diamond Club. It was agreed that Mr. Crane be asked to attend the next meeting of council to discuss this issue in more detail.

CORRESPONDENCE

1. From Minister Rideout in response to council on snow clearing equipment. Placed on file.
2. From Minister Whalen in response to council on driver examination service. Letter to be sent again that council does not agree with the decision, and to mention ferry breakdowns and lost appointments.
3. From Minister Sullivan in response to budget. Placed on file.
4. From NLFM update letter to be sent to the federation requesting decision made not to support banning VLT's in the province.
5. From FCM re member's advisory. Placed on file.
6. From NLFM re meeting at Petty Harbour. Placed on file.
7. From Ocean Net re pilot project. Letter to be sent to support his project.
8. From Minor Hockey. Placed on file.
9. From Bella Marine. Placed on file.
10. From The Telegram re Horizons - placed on file.
11. From AEM Human Resources - placed on file.
12. From Salmonid Council - placed on file.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Kent at 6:30pm. Motion carried.

CONFIRMED

______________________
Mayor

______________________
Town Manager

Next meeting Mar. 29, 2005 at 4pm