Jan. 17, 2006

The last regular meeting was held on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, with the following in attendance:

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

Town Manager, Mr. Kent
Town Clerk, Mrs. Butler

Corp. Boyd Merrill, RCMP

Also present were the following employees:
Bill Lawrence
Reg King
Gerry Sweeney
John Whalen

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

(1) Corp. Merrill informed council that Const. Colleen Nobel just gave birth to a baby girl. He said she will stay on Bell Island during her maternity leave, and another officer will be replacing her, bringing the total number of members to six. He said our detachment is the best-staffed detachment in Newfoundland.

(2) Corp. Merrill said his detachment will be busy enforcing the Town’s Dog Act, and also the removal of car wrecks. Also he said those responsible for breaking traffic signs have charges pending.

(3) Corp. Merrill suggested that future bus shelters be made out of lexon, which would perhaps deter young people from hanging out in them. It was suggested that a loop needs to be made near the area where the bus shelter was removed on the Green to allow easy access.

(4) Corp. Merrill reminded council that a couple of areas should be made dead ends to try to cut down on ATV activity in those areas: Wood’s Ave., Colbourne St. He said also that his officers have been taking pictures of ATV drivers, and some video tapes as well. He said he pretty well knows who those operators are and can have them apprehended if necessary.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

(1) Paving – Mayor Gosine said we should hear something soon about the proposed paving for 2006.
(2) Committees – Mayor Gosine presented a revised list of the new committees of council, cutting them from eight to three. See list attached.
(3) Irving Oil – Send letter to them to see what their minimum order of oil delivery is.
(4) West Track – Councillor Craig expressed how pleased he is with the upgrading of the West Track, he commended the Town Manager and the workers on a job well done.
(5) Ball Field – The Town Manager said there are several rails removed form the ball field fence, which will have to be repaired in the spring.
(6) Pallets – The Town Manager said that Marilyn Sheppard told him she is working on having the pallets removed and/or sold.

FINANCIAL REPORT

The Town Clerk advised that there is some hold up with the HRE cheques being received on time this year due to a new system being used by them. It was decided that we contact our member with a view to having this ‘rushed’.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
The following topics in the report were discussed:
1. Don Coombs Road – right of way was cleaned up and repaired.
2. Street Lights – areas of Mary Doherty and Tyrone Neary to be checked.
3. Gary Sweeney – receiving sick benefits under Employment Insurance.
4. Fire Answering Machine – recent problems since new installation but being checked on a regular basis.
5. Old Buildings – council should not be responsible for cleaning up old foundations, etc.

ARENA MANAGER’S REPORT
The following topics in the report were discussed:
1. Part for plant had to be ordered.
2. Paul Martin quit over an incident, but now back to work. Handled by Mr. Gillingham.
3. Curling rings to be painted soon.
4. Todd’s evaluation to take place next Wednesday at the Finance Committee meeting.
5. Kiwanis Bonspiel will be starting Mar. 3/06.

CORRESPONDENCE

(1) From FCM re upcoming Federal Election – ordered placed on file.
(2) From Canada Post re service in rural an urban postal facilities – ordered placed on file.
(3) From Min. of Finance to Mr. Edward Kent re 2006 Pre Budge Consultations – ordered placed on file.
(4) From Devon Estates re 29 Ore Pier Road property – this to be forwarded to Mr. Meryl Vokey in Honourable Dianne Whalen’s office.
(5) From Minister Trevor Taylor re ferry – Ferry Users Committee will be meeting with Mr. Taylor to discuss the ferry issue in the very near future.
(6) From RCMP thanking council for their support in 2005 – ordered placed on file.
(7) From Appeal Board re Mr. Dan Craig – board ruled in Mr. Craig’s favour. While this was being discussed Councillor Craig asked council if they felt he was in a conflict of interest situation on this topic. Council felt he wasn’t. It was agreed that another order be sent to Mr. Dan Craig with the correct sections of the act quoted.
(8) From Dept. of Municipal Affairs re our request for an Infrastructure Assessment and Master Plan – ordered placed on file.

TENDERS FOR NEW DUMP TRUCK

Only two tenders received one from Harvey and Co. Ltd. and one from Western Star Sterling Trucks. It was decided that we would go with the tender from Harvey and Co. Ltd. for a 84-month lease at $1483.12 per month. This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried. As to the sander, it was agreed that this be left to the discretion of the Town Manager as to whether we will have obtain it from Harvey’s or elsewhere.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Kent advised that Mr. Pat Fahey, from Rychrist Inn, had received council’s reply to his request for a tax break, and that he wanted council to have another look at this. After a discussion it was agreed that Mr. Fahey’s Business Tax for 2005 be adjusted to the minimum Business Tax which is $250.00 for this year only. Further it was agreed that all new businesses be given a one-year break for Business Tax, which would be the minimum of $250.00. This was covered in a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried.

COUNCILLORS’ CONCERNS

(1) Councillor Laurie asked that the Valley be given some extra attention when road conditions are slippery.

(2) Councillor Kent asked about an increase in fire practice rates for firemen, and if we had received any response from the PUB re Petroleum Pricing. The firemen’s fees will be discussed when a meeting is held with the committee responsible for Fire. And there is no word yet from the PUB.
(3) Councillor Kent asked about the work being down at Gary Sweeney’s, Backview St., by Council employees. Mr. Kent explained that Mr. Sweeney’s basement was being flooded, and that two drains in the area had to be joined in order to prevent the flooding of his basement. It was felt with this new drainage system flooding conditions in this area should be eliminated now.
(4) Councillor Craig wondered if Peddlers who go door to door would have to pay the same fee as those who work from a designated area.
(5) Mayor Gosine explained the situation regarding the Fish Plant and the difficulties they had over the Christmas holidays with internal employee issues. He said the workers there need a good spokesperson to address their concerns and talk to management about them.
(6) Mayor Gosine said that WST was low on salt and sand, but that more would be coming soon and they would have priority on the ferry to get it transported here.
(7) Mayor Gosine asked that councilors give some thought to a deserving person who could be nominated for the Mel Osbourn Award (Kiwanis).
(8) Mayor Gosine brought to council’s attention that the IAS is rapidly running out of funding, and is there a way council might be able to hire an Economic Development Officer, to continue the work which is now being done by this position. It was felt that the issue of the IAS/Paul Connors be discussed by the Finance Committee when they meet next Wednesday.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:35 on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried.

CONFIRMED

_______________________
Mayor

_______________________
Town Clerk

Next meeting Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006 at 7:30pm