TOWN OF WABANA

Aug. 22, 2006

The last regular meeting was held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006, with the following in attendance:

Mayor Gosine
Deputy Mayor Pendergast
Councillor Craig
Councillor Kent
Councillor Laurie
Councillor McCarthy
Councillor Somerton

Town Clerk, Diane Butler

Const. Steve Pike, RCMP

Others present:
Wayne Cole
Eric Hiscock and Deanne Hiscock
Paul Steffler

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gosine at 7:30pm. The minutes of the last regular meeting were adopted as circulated on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried.

RCMP

Mayor Gosine introduced Const. Pike to council members and asked him to report any issues or matters of concern:

1. He spoke about the old building near the Black and White Lounge, and that it is in bad condition, and a fire hazard, and needs to be removed. Agreed that we contact the owner to have this building removed. This order was made by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried. This order to be carried out within 21 days.

2. Const. Pike spoke about the playground and the need for some improvements there. Mayor Gosine said that three more new pieces of playground equipment will be here soon, and will perhaps be erected next year, as it is quite late now for this year.

3. Const. Pike asked that street signs be placed on all streets in the town, as he is finding it difficult to find certain residences. Also that many traffic signs are gone and need to be replaced. The Dept of Transportation will have to be contacted regarding the traffic signs.

4. Const Pike asked to see our noise bylaws and any other bylaws pertinent to our town. He was invited to come to the office any time to see these bylaws.

5. Councillor Kent asked Const Pike if he had received any phone calls about loitering at the old swimming pool building. Const. Pike said he has not received any calls about this building.

6. Mayor Gosine said he is very concerned about the drug problem on the island and is hoping something can be done about this very serious issue. Const. Pike informed council that he and Const. Rayner are involved in the DARE program at the highschool, and once again this year it will be taught to the students.

WAYNE COLE

Mr. Cole presented miniature models of miners which he is proposing to make life-size pieces from, which would be placed at strategic places around the town to promote our
tourist industry. Mayor Gosine said that council would support Mr. Cole in his efforts to obtain funding for this project, and wished him well.

DEANNE HISCOCK AND ERIC HISCOCK

Ms. Hiscock explained to council her intentions to raise funds to construct a community swimming pool. Council was thrilled with this idea but was a little concerned that funding would not be available to maintain the pool after it is constructed. Councillor McCarthy reminded council that in the past we have had much difficulty maintaining a swimming pool and keeping things running. He said it would be a big undertaking for council to try to keep a pool operational. Deanne explained that a committee has been formed now who are looking into all aspects of the pool project, and this committee will be preparing facts and figures which will be made available to council for our next meeting.

Councillor Craig said indeed we need a plan and a vision but as to the concept and idea he said council certainly will support Ms. Hiscock, and will even make mention of her intentions in the next edition of the police newsletter.

PAUL STEFFLER

Mr. Steffler was concerned that motor bikes are once again using the Bell Meadow as a practice site, and he is strongly opposed to this. Mayor Gosine explained the situation where one bike owner went there last week to do some practice not knowing the restrictions in this area. He said this would not happen again, as the new area near the air stripe will be used by all bike owners taking part in the Motorcross races.

Councillor Kent felt that council should be obtaining some taxes or some revenue from these events. Mayor Gosine said that money raised from these events benefits our community and many groups in the community: Kiwanis, Boys and Girls Club, Figure Skating, etc.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

Mayor Gosine said that we should not spend a lot of time on the minutes as councilors have had their agendas since Friday and any issues they may be concerned with can be taken care of before the meeting. Councillor McCarthy felt that proper procedure is for the minutes to be discussed in open debate among councillors. Right now he said he had nothing specific to bring up from the previous minutes.

FINANCIAL REPORT – accepted as presented

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT – Mayor Gosine explained to council the problems with water supply this summer, and finally our employees were successful in locating two serious leaks in the main line on Pitts’ Lane, this he said has made a huge difference in the water pressure in this area of the town. He said that he had contacted Rick Noseworthy, our consulting engineers, with a view to seeking advice about our water problems this summer, and was assured that the master plan regarding our infrastructure would be completed by the end of Sept. This plan would provide answers to some of our problems and recommendations for making our systems work more efficiently.

Councillor McCarthy was upset that employees spent some time putting our replacement pump in the well at Scotia # 1, and discovered afterwards that the pump would not fit. He thought this was a waste of funds and that our employees should have known the pump would not fit.

It was felt by all that council employees should not be permitted to take more that two weeks vacation in a row, and that we should not have to get through the summer with little or no workers.

Councillor Somerton said that the Valley area is in desperate need of upgrading to prevent flooding and danger to the people there. He said this is a very serious situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.

ARENA REPORT

Councillor McCarthy felt that the Arena Manager should be present at council meetings so that any questions concerning his reports can be answered by him. He felt that the arena was not in good shape financially prior to opening in Sept. or Oct. and that Mr. Gillingham should attend a meeting to bring council up to date on the status of the arena operations. It was felt that a special meeting be held next Tuesday with the Arena Manager to discuss the arena in general. This meeting to be held at 4:30pm.

APPLICATIONS

(1) From Mr. Perry (Terry) Carter to construct a new house at the top of Beach Hill. Approved in principle on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried.

(2) From Mr. Bernard Brazil to obtain a portion of crown land to extend his entrance and for farm land. This was approved on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

(1) Letter from CBDC re their Annual General Meeting – anyone wishing to attend can do so.
(2) Infonote from NLFM re various issues – ordered placed on file.
(3) Fax from FCM re funding for Water and Transportation projects – The Town Manager to check into this and apply for whatever projects he deems appropriate for us.
(4) Letter from NF Hydro re rate increases – ordered placed on file.
(5) Email from NEAJC re Federal Gas Tax – this to be applied for when the appropriate forms are sent to us.
(6) Email from Corp. Boyd Merrill (Action Group) re old town hall, seeking council’s support for their project to renovate the building. Council supports their efforts but will have some sort of documentation drawn up for the proper lease of this building to the Touch of Class, and so that council will not be held responsible for any liability issues that may occur there.
(7) Letter from Minister Shelley, Dept. of HRLE re symposium – those wishing to attend can do so.

CONCERNS

(1) The Town Clerk asked that those councillors wishing to attend the convention in Gander early in Oct. to let her know as soon as possible.
(2) Councillor Kent asked about Brian Clarke/ACOA issue – no news.
(3) Councillor Kent suggested that Mr. John Whalen be kept on as heavy equipment operator, as employee Reg King is off on sick leave, and then he will probably be on vacation afterwards. It was agreed that we keep Mr. Whalen on for as long as is necessary.
(4) Councillor Craig asked for permission to do some work on the town’s website. He was authorized to do this.
(5) Councillor Craig said that the Bell Island Health and Well-Being Needs Assessment (Phase one) is complete and has been made available to the Minister of Health, our MHA, and he would like to present it to council, and eventually to the general public. It was felt that a special meeting be held next Monday.
(6) Councillor Craig said that when we do some road patching with asphalt, that Wood’s Ave and Fifth St. be placed on the list if they are not already there, as those roads are in really bad condition.
(7) Councillor McCarthy asked when we would be meeting to go over the proposals for the Human Resource study. Agreed that this meeting be held next Tuesday at 7:30pm.
(8) Councillor Laurie apologized for being late, due to work commitments. She asked about a caution sign for the bottom of Fancy Hill as traffic tend to go quite fast in this area, thus creating a danger for the house at the bottom of the hill (two accidents had occurred there in the past). This is a highways concern and will be brought to their attention.
(9) Councillor Laurie asked about the poison ivy issue in the area of East # 1, and if council would be doing anything to get rid of this weed. It was felt that it was not council’s responsibility to do this, but that the people affected by it should get together to have the areas treated by chemicals to kill the weed.
(10) Deputy Mayor Pendergast inquired about the water line for the Petrie’s Hill area – the Town Clerk said that this water line and two others were slated for this summer, the other two are done, and the third will also be completed soon.
(11) Mayor Gosine invited councillors and the RCMP to attend the next Motorcross races on Sept. 17, 2006.
(12) Mayor Gosine said that it has been a very hectic summer with major water issues, but there were some good things as well, i.e. Bell Island Day, Motorcross, Car racing, etc. He also said he is hoping that Bell Island wins the Tidy Towns award this year, he feels confident that we will.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:50pm on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.

CONFIRMED

Next regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006.

___________________
Mayor

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Town Clerk