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TOWN OF WABANA Sept. 15, 2005 The last regular meeting was held in the Council Chamber on Thursday, the
15th. day of Sept. 2005, with the following in attendance: Town Manager, Mr. Kent Mr. John Crane Mayor Gosine called the meeting to order at 4pm. The minutes of the last regular meeting were adopted as circulated on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast, and seconded by Councillor Wade. Motion carried. Before discussing the minutes, it was decided to deal with the issue John and Raymond Crane wanted to discuss with council, and that was the issue of their late mother's house, which is in a dilapidated condition and must be torn down. However there is a family feud over this matter and this is preventing action being taken to have the building removed. After discussing the issue further it was decided that the family members must agree to have the place opened, things belonging to each of them (if anything), removed, and then the council will have the building demolished. ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES: (1) Mural on the Green - Bill Whelan will be touching up the mural, and the border around the mural is being painted. (2) Minor Hockey - Mayor Gosine informed council that a meeting will be held on Sunday night, in the Council Chambers for anyone interested in Minor Hockey. He said the new Arena Manager, Mr. Todd Gillingham, will be in attendance, and the main topic will be to keep the Minor Hockey program in place. He said 15 people will have to be present in order to achieve this objective. (3) Road Work - Mayor Gosine informed council that the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Honourable Jack Byrne, and our MHA, Honourable Dianne Whalen, met with council yesterday and talked about road paving and other issues of interest to our town. He said they were taken on a tour of the island and shown some of the really bad road conditions, like The Valley for instance. He said that council must now revise our five-year capital program so that consideration could be given to our priorities. (4) Council equipment - It was felt that our heavy equipment is not being taken care of properly by employees. Agreed that a notice be posted in the depot informing employees that before they use any of the equipment proper greasing must be done, and a note made to this effect. Also while on the topic of council equipment it was felt that with the rising costs of fuel, employees would not take the vehicles home during lunch breaks, with the exception of the foreman, Jim Pendergast, as he is on call 24 hours a day, as our foreman, plumber and as fire chief. A motion was made to this effect by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Squires. Motion carried. FINANCIAL REPORT - Accepted as presented. ACTING TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT - Accepted. CORRESPONDENCE 1. Letter from Jillian Hart advising that she is seeking support for a project she has in mind which she thinks will have a positive impact toward increasing tourism and economic development on Bell Island. Her proposal is to create a Festival of Arts. It was decided that we meet with her to discuss this further. 2. Letter from CUPE encouraging all communities to proclaim Oct. 5th. as Communities Day. Agreed that the Mayor sign a proclamation to this effect. 3. Letter from the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Honourable Paul Shelly, concerning amendments to the Motorized Snow Vehicles and and All Terrain Vehicles Act and Regulations. It was decided that this act and regulations be made available to anyone wishing to see them. 4. Letter from the Director of Corporate Service and Board Secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities regarding the review of petroleum pricing regulation, and acknowledging the brief which council presented and which will become part of the official record for the review. 5. Letter from Ms. Florence Yetman in St. John's concerning a form letter which she composed to send to the Minister of Social Development Canada requesting an Early Retirement Package for older workers. Ms. Yetman requested that this letter be made available to anyone who wishes to sign it and send it to the Minister. 6. Letter from Ms. Margaret Skehans, (Crafts and Décor) concerning her taxes and that she was sorry she did not pay them before having her account placed with council's collection agency. It was noted that all accounts are considered in arrears after the deadline of Mar. 31st. of each year has passed. The Town Clerk recommended that Mr. Tom Stickland be retained to serve as our Commissioner for the 2006 assessment appeals if there are any. This was approved and covered in a motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried. COUNCILLORS' CONERNS: (1) Councillor Wade said she had nothing to bring up, but that she wanted to wish those councilors seeking re-election success in their campaigns, and she said her four-year term with council was an excellent learning experience for her, she said she thoroughly enjoyed being a member of council. (2) Deputy Mayor Pendergast also wished those members of council seeking re-election success at the polls. Also he wished the two out-going councilors (Councillors Pitts and Wade) best wishes in their future endeavours. (3) Councillor Pitts said she enjoyed her many years on council, and is now prepared to enjoy her retirement. She wished everyone well. (4) Councillor Squires said he has enjoyed his term with council and hopes he returns to continue the work already begun. He said he would like to see the water lines completed that were discussed many times at our meetings, and other issues which are on going. (5) Councillor Kent reiterated what the others said regarding wishing those running success at the polls. He thanked Councillors Pitts and Wade for their devotion while they served on council. NEW BUSINESS (2) Road painting - agreed that we contact the Dept. of Works and Services to find out when the lines will be painted on the roads. (3) Ferry - Mayor Gosine presented a press release from the Dept. of Transportation advising that the Beaumont Hamel will be replaced by the Nonia during the annual refit. It was mentioned that the Nonia is not in very good condition. (4) Herb Brett - agreed that a Get Well Card be sent to Mr. Herb Brett, President of the NLFM, since hearing of his illness. (5) Rex Goudie - agreed that we send congratulations to Mr. Goudie on his excellent showing in the Canadian Idol contest. (6) Convention - The annual NLFM convention will be held this year in Corner Brook in early Nov. Councillor Laurie arrived at this point in the meeting. She reported that she had received a complaint from a resident of Third St. about roaming dogs. Agreed that our Animal Control Officer carry out more patrols in this area. Councillor Laurie then wished those seeking re-election much success, and she wished Councillors Pitts and Wade well as they leave municipal politics. Mayor Gosine thanked all council members for a good four-year term, and wished those seeking re-election success, and those not seeking re-election success as well in whatever they do. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:35pm on a motion by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Wade. Motion carried. CONFIRMED ____________________________ ____________________________
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