June 19, 2007

The last regular meeting was held on June 19, 2007, with the following in attendance:
Mayor Gosine
Councillor Craig
Councillor Kent
Councillor Laurie
Councillor McCarthy
Councillor Somerton
Town Manager, Mr. Mercer
Town Clerk, Mrs. Butler

RCMP – Const. Sean Tipple
- Eddie Curnew

Employees:
- Bill Lawrence
- Gerry Sweeney
- Reg King
- Lorne Kent

The minutes of the following meetings were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Somerton. Motion carried.

- Emergency Meeting held May 29, 2007
- Regular Meeting held May 29, 2007
- Special Meeting held June 5, 2007
- Regular Meeting held June 5, 2007

SIGNS

Mayor Gosine displayed the Crime Stoppers Sign which will be erected on Beach Hill (Irving Oil site). This sign was prepared through proceeds from Council, Kiwanis and Crime Stoppers.

Also Mayor Gosine displayed a sign which will be placed on the road named in memory of Brian House, the racer who was killed in a Motocross rally in Nova Scotia, and who was responsible for designing the Motocross race track here.

RCMP

Const Tipple spoke on the problem with ATV’s, and that tickets are being issued for owners who are abusing the law, including a lot of people who come here in connection with the Motocross races and use the stock piles, etc. for practice. He said complains

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are being received about the dust caused by these ATV’s, and also they are going to the Irving Station for fill ups and driving on the main roads to get to the gas station.
Const. Tipple said that dirt bikes will be seized and impounded and fines imposed.
Mayor Gosine said he is happy that steps are being taken to cut down on the problems with ATV’s, and he said he would speak to the Motocross people with a view to insuring they do not break any laws by riding on the road ways, etc.

At this point a short closed meeting was convened to deal with a couple of internal issues.

After the closed session, the meeting continued:

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

1. Missing road signs – the Dept. of Works and Services to be notified of the need for new traffic signs, and also council needs to replace or repair many road signs. This could be a job for our students this summer.

2. Accordion Idol – Mayor Gosine suggested the Town Manager attend the next meeting of the committee responsible for the Accordion Idol contest to be brought up to par on how they are progressing with their plans.

3. Killick Coast meeting – to be held at in the Council Chamber on Thursday evening. Councillor Kent said that the public meeting regarding the sports field is also scheduled for Thursday night in the Council Chamber. It was decided that either one or the other group could have their meeting upstairs in the Kiwanis room.

4. Classic Molding – Mr. Mercer informed council that post/dated cheques has been received from Mr. Clarke, and the lease agreement has been signed.

5. Pallets/Marilyn Sheppard – Mayor Gosine said that we have been too lenient with her about the removal of those pallets and we must now send an order to her to have those pallets removed in two weeks, or be subject to further action.

6. Wind Power Proposal – Mr. Mercer said we are waiting for a reply from Mr. Skinner regarding a meeting with him.

7. Garbage Contract – things are working out fine with the new contractor so far, and with the new schedule Mr. Lahey will be collecting all garbage on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

8. Jimmy Kelloway – It was decided that a letter be forwarded to Mr. Kelloway advising that council is aware that he relocated a building on skids contrary to the approved

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method which is by way of a flatbed, and that this was very blatant on his part in light of the fact that he was told that he would have to use a flat bed.

9. Don Boone – Mr. Mercer said he had contacted the Federation Lawyer who advised that council is not responsible in this case.

10. Ken Byrne – waiting for a response from Sharon Williams from the Dept. of Government Services re guidelines, etc. for animal units allowable in a residential area.

11. Ruth O’Rourke – also waiting for a written response from Ms. Williams.

12. Wrecks and dilapidated houses – a start will be made on these as soon as possible now that the regular clean up materials has been taken care of.

13. Employee Appreciation Day – agreed that the Town Manager would organize something in relation to this function.

15. Permit Legion Roof – agreed that we contact the contractor for payment of the permit fee.

16. Leak Detector – agreed that our plumbers would have a look at the quotations received from various suppliers with a view to obtaining a new or a good used leak detector.

17. Paul Martin – The Mayor said that Mr. Martin worked all day during the Bicycle Rodeo and must be commended for a job well done.

FINANCIAL REPORT – approved as presented.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

A somewhat lengthy discussion took place concerning the water problems at the Front of the Island, it was felt that we have to keep on top of our proposal to government to have funding approved as quickly as possible so that this problem can be rectified and a proper system can be in place. It was agreed that the residents of the front deserve a better system then they have at the present time.

Councillor Kent suggested that the pump may need to be removed from the well and checked out.

Councillor McCarthy said that the cutting of trees has resulted in our water shortage and some steps should be taken towards an alternate water source, perhaps Lance Cove Pond even.

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Councillor McCarthy suggested we look into a reforestation program for our town, with students engaged to plant the trees. It was mentioned that there is such a program through Trees Canada which is worth looking into.

More discussion took place regarding the water situation and that some serious steps have to be taken to conserve water, it was felt that there are far too many swimming pools, which are a big factor when it comes to water supply, and even though people should not be penalized for having a pool, some restrictions should be placed on when those pools are filled, etc. Mr. Curtis advised that notices have already been posted about conserving water.

CORRESPONDENCE

(1) Request from Wayne Squires to erect a communications tower for high speed internet somewhere at the front. Agreed that he be asked to meet with the Town Manager and plumber re erecting the tower on the pumphouse.

(2) Info from the Heritage Foundation of NL re the biggest search for the smallest house – Kevin Young’s house was mentioned, as well as Richard Hawco’s. Agreed that we ask either of these if they didn’t mind having their names submitted for the contest.

(3) Letter from NLHC regarding the Seniors Complex on Bell Island and the need for them to recruit and keep volunteers, and seeking council’s assistance. It was decided that we would set up a meeting with Mr. Paul Abbot, the Regional Director, to discuss this issue.

(4) Letter from the Bell Island Sports Hall of Fame seeking partnership with council to produce a large sculpture depicting our cultured past, on the exterior wall of the former Council Garage. A meeting will be arranged to discuss this with the people involved.

(5) Data re convention and trade show – this to be held in Nov. Those wishing to attend to let the office know.

CONCERNS

(1) Mr. Mercer suggested to council that instead of looking for a used excavator we should direct our attention towards a piece of equipment suitable for snow clearing, this in his opinion is vital for next winter. It was agreed that he check with various suppliers of such equipment and to also check in the Buy and Sell magazine.

(2) Mr. Mercer asked for approval to take over from Peter Kent on the Cabot Canadian Business Development Corp. (CCBDC) as council’s representative. This was approved on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried.

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(3) Councillor Kent spoke on the following issues:
• Bell on the Cliffside Beach Hill to be cleared and the grass cut.
• Water flushing to be done in various areas of the island.
• Old swimming pool building to be removed as was decided by council several years ago. It was mentioned again that this building is utilized by the fire dept. for training purposes (as a smoke house). And until they get another area, this building should remain for their use). The old Esso site at the Pier is being sought for this purpose, so a follow up on this site will take place.
• Valley Hill should be graded as often as possible until something more substantial is done about this area.
• Ball Field topsoil will be trucked there soon, screened and leveled.
• Greenhouse – Councillor Kent felt that we should not have spent so much time on this project as there are many other more serious projects that our employees could be tending to. It was mentioned that this was a commitment by the former Town Manager.

(4) Councillor McCarthy spoke on the following issues:
• Fire dept. – new members should get as much training as possible.
• West Dam – should be considered for a collection area for water like it used to be with a buffer zone erected around it, or part of it.
• Reforestation – Councillor McCarthy felt that we should contact the Dept. of Forestry re this as soon as possible.

(5) Councillor Craig spoke on the following issues:

• Newsletters – due to our meetings being late in the month, he said it is difficult to meet the newsletter deadline, and asked that our meetings be changed from the fourth Tuesday in each month to the third Tuesday, this was agreeable by all members of council.
• Information rack – Councillor Craig felt that we should have such a rack in our lobby for brochures, etc. This to be taken care of.
• NEAJC – Councillor Craig asked if council felt that Mr. Bern Hickey, of the former Avondale Town Council, should still sit on the NEAFC as the representative of Avondale. It was council’s opinion that he should not be sitting now as that council no longer as this council no longer exists. It was mentioned that the town is now being administered by an inspector from the Dept. of Municipal Affairs.
• Dump site – Councillor Craig asked that some effort be made to back fill the old discarded appliances, etc. at the dump site as it is a very unsightly area especially for any boaters in the bay.
• Website – he said he has put the new Town Manager’s photo on the town website.

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Mayor Gosine spoke on the following issues:
• Karavans – he said 20 plus karavans will be parked on the beach for the next several days, and will be using the town’s various services while here. He invited councillors to visit them if they get an opportunity.
• Tidy Towns – Mayor Gosine said that a former councillor is very upset over the condition of our town and would like to accompany the tidy town officials when they come here so that they can be apprized of the poor condition of our town. It was felt he was not a good promoter of our town.
• Public meeting re sports field – this to be held on Thursday night in the council chamber.
• Fire Dept. – Mayor Gosine said that council is willing to assist the fire dept. if they request such assistance.
• Toilets for Lance Cove Beach – it was mentioned that we are still waiting for recommendations from Ms. Williams of the Dept. of Government Services regarding this matter.
• Heart and Stroke Walk – Mayor Gosine said he would be walking in this event and encouraged councillors to accompany him or sponsor him, on a point of order, councillor Craig said he too would be walking in this walk-a-thon and was seeking sponsors.

CONCERNS OF EMPLOYEES:

• Bill Lawrence said he will be fixing the box on the International Truck.
• Reg King said he was upset over the recent job posting for a non-working foreman and building manager. Mayor Gosine informed him that this matter has been dealt with in a closed meeting, and that he and the other employees will be informed of council’s decision tomorrow morning by the Town Manager.
• Reg King said that he wants council to treat the employees fair, and the Mayor responded that this works both ways, and he hopes that this will be the order of the day – “One Big Happy Family”.
• Gerry Sweeney asked if there would be a write up about the former Town Manager in the newsletter. Mayor Gosine informed him that Mr. Kent did not want any fanfare re his retirement, but that later on a small reception will be held for him at the Rychrist Inn.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:35pm on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Somerton. Motion carried.

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Gary Gosine, Mayor Diane Butler, Town Clerk