TOWN OF WABANA

BELL ISLAND, NL

 

The last regular meeting of the Town Council of Wabana was held on Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2008, with the following in attendance:

 

Mayor Gosine

Deputy Mayor Pendergast

Councillor Craig

Councillor Kent

Councillor McCarthy

Town Manager/Town Clerk Mrs. Butler

 

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ford – residents of No. 2 Road

Council employees:  Rick Whelen, Reg King, and John Whalen

 

The meeting was called to order at 8pm by Mayor Gosine.  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.

 

JERRY FORD

 

Mr. Ford presented a petition to council seeking improved services for his area and other areas of the town:  water services, snow clearing services, etc. 

 

Mayor Gosine thanked Mr. Ford for presenting the petition and assured him that it would be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and also to our MHA, Minister Dianne Whalen. 

 

Mr. Ford thanked council for accepting the petition and for allowing him present it.

 

ARENA MANAGER’S REPORT

 

Several issues were discussed:

  • Curling Bonspiel
  • Tournaments
  • Liquor licenses

 

Mr. Ford asked Councillor McCarthy why he had made a statement at January’s meeting that the reason for low sales at the arena was due to mismanagement.  Councillor McCarthy said that he was only referring to the lounge, with the beer being sold in cans instead of bottles. He said this could cut down on beer sales.   He said he did not say the Arena Manager was mismanaging the arena.

 

Mr. Ford was asked to provide a list of maintenance items which are required to be carried out before opening next fall.

 

 

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

 

(1)  Newsletter – it was felt that somehow we should continue to put out a newsletter, and we should endeavour to find someone qualified to undertake this task.

 

(2)  Penitentiary – Mayor Gosine said he did a recent interview with a Canadian newspaper reporter regarding the penitentiary and the site for such a facility.  Council will be studying the pros and cons for a facility such as this for our island.  It was felt input from the people would be necessary, perhaps in the form of a questionnaire.

 

(3)  Gerald Murphy – Mrs. Butler advised that she sent Mr. Murphy all the pertinent information regarding the establishment of a commercial garage, and the necessary forms.  She said he has not returned the forms to her yet.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

 

Mrs. Butler reported that funds are still at an all time low, and we continue to operate in a deficit position, despite good tax collections.  She felt other measures must be taken to obtain more revenue, and more co-operation from the bank is required so that council’s line of credit can be increased to the allowable amount.

 

TOWN MANGER’S REPORT

 

Some of the items discussed were:

  • Sewer blockage at the arena – and the rental of an electric sewer snake.

It was suggested that we purchase an electric sewer snake for our own use.  This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried.

 

  • Water problems in the Scotia # 1 area – Councillor McCarthy felt we should try a pilot project whereas Scotia # 1 pump will be shut down perhaps for a month and No. 4 Pump would supply water to this area mainly by gravity feed. 

 

  • Backhoe – Since our backhoe is broken down it was felt that we must obtain one someplace to get some much-needed work carried out.  It was agreed that we would see if we can rent a backhoe for a month from Toromont, United Rentals, OnTrac, or Battlefield Equipment. Failing this we would see if we can rent a backhoe from the local contractors.

 

CONSULTANT’S REPORT

 

  •  Water and Sewer Funding Application (80/20) for $1,800,000 – resolution to be made to forward to Minister of Municipal Affairs.  This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried.

 

  • Wabana Complex  - continue to meet with Minister of Government Services with a view to having the complex renovated and repaired.

 

  • Gateway Terminal Project – it was felt that council’s commitment should be confirmed and a meeting sought to discuss it further.  It was reported by Mr. Kent that the project has been deferred for consideration in 2009.

 

  • Arena Capital – Motion was made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast that we would apply to government for a $500,000 Arena Equipment and Rehabilitation Program cost shared 80/20.  Motion carried.

 

  • Municipal Paving and Gas Tax – A motion was made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast that council would apply for up to $341,000 of our Federal Gas Tax funds to be used for road paving.  Motion carried.

 

  • Classic Mouldings – Agreed on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast that the owner be notified to bring his rental account up to date or further action will be taken.  Motion carried.

 

  • Arena Missing Funds – This is a slow process but the RCMP, the town’s auditor and the insurance company are working towards having this case dealt with.

 

  • Targa – They will be coming to the island for a two day training regime in Sept.  Also they have profiled Bell Island on their website.

 

  • Motocross – Mr. Kent reported that a mutual agreement had been made with Mr. Gary Jenkins that the 2008 motocross commitment has to be honoured and that if his major farm operation is completed council would review pasture land conflicts favourably.

 

  • Windmill Proposal for Bell Island – the company involved has been asked to develop and present a cost benefit proposal to council.  This proposal to be completed in 30 days.

 

  • Major Water Problems in March – Emergency funding has been sought to help offset the expenses incurred during this period.

 

  • Revenue and Expenditure – pie charts were presented to councillors to reflect percent allocations, etc.

 

  • Recreation Management Committee – this committee met on Apr. 9th. to discuss pressing arena related matters and will continue to meet regularly.

 

  • Tax Collections – Meeting to be held on Thursday, Apr. 17th. to discuss this matter and to develop ways to collect all outstanding taxes.

 

  • Energy Costs – After a meeting with officials of Newfoundland Power it was felt that council should purchase some energy meters for the Wabana Complex and therefore charging for power in lease contracts.  This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent.  Motion carried.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

  1. Letter from Minister Whalen re Wabana Complex – dealt with earlier in meeting.
  2. Letter from Minister Whalen re ferry service and advising that her department is endeavouring to provide the best service possible.
  3. Letter from G. Martin, Dept. of Natural Resources re motocross track, and council’s reply to Mr. Martin. This was dealt with earlier.
  4. Email from Keith Quigley re penitentiary and suggesting that council solicit the president of the Springhill, Nova Scotia, Chamber of Commerce to discuss this issue with our council, as he has committed to speak to Harbour Grace as a potential site for the penitentiary.  Mayor Gosine said we are dealing with this issue mostly behind the scenes, and  working vigorously on this matter.
  5. Letters from the Lung Association seeking council’s support for “Clean Air for Kids” (like no smoking in cars).  Agreed that we would send a letter of support.
  6. Letter from Rev. Trudy Sullivan seeking a letter of support to open a centre for people of all ages, as a social interaction centre.  Agreed that a letter of support be sent.
  7. Notice from Rev. Trudy Sullivan re a special service at St. Cyprian’s Church on May 4th. to bring together all individuals and organizations who province a service to our community. 
  8. Letter from the Brighter Futures Coalition of St. John’s and District  in reply to council’s letter advising that their organization is committed to serving the residents of Bell Island, and that their Healthy Baby Club Program, their Baby Group, and the Well Baby Clinic is still very much alive and functioning well.
  9. Letter from Newco re contract which will run out at the end of this year.  They paid $500.00 for last year’s removal of scrap, and will also be paying for the removal of scrap this year.

 

Invoices from our consultant, Mr. Edward Kent, for Feb. ( $2900.) and Mar. ($3100)  were presented and approved for payment on a motion by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast. Motion carried.

 

APPLICATION

 

From Mr. Michael Lucking to manufacture shower heads in the former controller building on Knights of Columbus Road.  This was approved in principle on a motion by  Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

CONCERNS

 

1.       Councillor Craig informed council that sewer treatment plants will be mandatory in 2010.

2.      Councillor Craig commended Mr. Dave Brazil on his endeavours to bring a senior hockey team to Bell Island.

3.      Councillor McCarthy said that the possibility exists that if a senior team is in place, we might lose the junior team, and perhaps then both teams.  He said this matter needs lots of discussion.

4.      Councillor Craig said that plastic bags are a real problem for towns as well as ours and something should be done to cut down on their usage.

5.      Councillor McCarthy said that the Arena Management Committee will be active and he said we need to establish how much authority they will have.

6.      Deputy Mayor Pendergast said that Mr. Bill Jardine can come to the island to discuss reforestation with us, and the necessary programs available.  It was agreed that he be invited to come meet with council.

7.      Mayor Gosine said he had collected the most money for the Heart and Stroke Society last year, and he will be so designated in the MNL newsletter.

8.      Mayor Gosine said he be looking forward to the new RCMP Corporal arriving to take over the detachment, and hopefully to attend our council meetings.

9.      Mayor Gosine said that a meeting maybe in order with the outside workers to insure the best possible work is being done by them, and that they are using all their time wisely and constructively.  He said he and the Town Manager will be meeting with all employees soon to discuss ways to be more productive.

 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:45pm on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Kent.  Motion carried.

 

CONFIRMED

 

___________________

Mayor

 

___________________

Town Manager/Town Clerk