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Feb. 19, 2008 The last regular meeting was held on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, with the following in attendance: Mayor Gosine Gallery: S/S Ron Andrews, RCMP Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ford The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting. Then the minutes were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent. Motion carried. ARENA The following issues were discussed: RCMP The following issues were discussed: 2. The Mayor said a public meeting is needed to educate the people about
having full co-operation from them in cracking down on vandalism. Councillor
Craig said that if such a meeting is called it would have to be well
organized and conducted. S/S Andrews said a committee should be formed first
before a public meeting is called, so that various issues and points could
be discussed and viewed adequately. MR. AND MRS.JERRY FORD Mr. Ford said that he is having problems with his water and sewer services to his home and would like for council to do something to assist him with those problems. Mayor Gosine said he had already talked to our plumber about some of these problems, and was told by him that these issues are not council’s responsibility, however he will talk to the plumber again and also the town’s water and sewer consultant within the next two weeks. WALT LAHEY Mr. Lahey had several issues he wanted to make council aware of: Page 3 ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES 1. Councillor McCarthy asked about the issue concerning land that the Motorcross group is hoping to get full control of. It was agreed that we have our consultant, Mr. Ed Kent, check into this matter. 2. Councillor McCarthy asked if we had any word yet on the structural assessment of the Wabana Complex. He was informed that nothing has been received from our MHA’s office concerning this matter. 3. Councillor McCarthy asked if there was any update regarding the water project for the Front. He was informed that Mr. Ed Kent has that file now and is following up on it. Next the recommendations from the special meetings were adopted by council on a motion by Councillor Kent and seconded by Councillor Somerton. Motion carried. FINANCIAL REPORT The Town Manager/Town Clerk informed council that the financial picture is still pretty bleak, but taxes are coming in at a good pace, however expenses are quite high most of the time. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT In the report, mention was made of the extra sand and salt that was needed this year, with still several months of cold weather ahead. However it was needed and had to be ordered. CORRESPONDENCE 1. Letter from Tidy Towns officials in response to council’s letter to them whereas they had made several inaccuracies in their judging decision on our town. They apologized for the inaccuracies and said our points could be adjusted accordingly. 2. Letter from Mayor Graham Letto, MNL which was sent to our MHA Dianne Whalen re various resolutions which had been brought forward by councils for debate at the last convention. Mayor Letto was seeking a meeting with Minister Whalen to discuss those that were relevant to her department. Page 4 3. Letter from Mayor Graham Letto, MNL, seeking to establish a single port of call with towns, in the form of a designated elected official, in relation to media and communications issues. Thus allowing councils to raise issues with MNL as and when they arise. Councillor Craig said he would assume this position. 4. Email from the RCMP detachment seeking permission to continue to place materials, shredded paper items, etc. directly in the incinerator located at the dump site. It was agreed that we respond to this email advising that it is a provincial law that no more cardboard or paper materials be burned, and that council will continue to backfill such material until we can find a suitable way to dispose of it. 5. Letter from the Capital Coast Development Alliance regarding a consultation session to be held on Thursday, Mar. 6th. at 5:30 pm to discuss the emerging economic environment. Councillor Craig and Councillor Kent said they would be attending this meeting. 6. Letter and advertisement from MSFilter Inc. Re drinking water treatment plants for small systems. It was felt that this was a good system but more geared towards open water supplies as opposed to Artesian wells. Agreed that we would have our engineers take a look at this information. 7. Letter from Mr. Gerald Tremblett offering his used ambulance for sale to council. It was felt that our mechanic, Mr. Lorne Kent, check this vehicle out and if suitable we will purchase it for the asking price of $5000. This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor McCarthy. Motion carried. 8. Letter from the Mayor of Toronto Earth Hour, which is a global World Wildlife Fund lights-out event to raise awareness and support for action on climate change. The date set for this Earth Hour is Mar. 29, 2008 between 8 and 9pm. It was decided that this be put in our newsletter to encourage people to conserve electricity during this hour. 9. Letter from Robert Giannou, Targa Newfoundland requesting a meeting
with council to discuss having a two-day drivers' school on Bell Island.
Agreed that we set something up to deal with this matter. 10. Letter from the Fire Commissioners Office concerning a study on radio
communications capability of all major emergency 11. Letter from the Dept. of Environment re the use of national sanitation foundation (NSF/60) certified disinfectant (12% Sodium Hypochlorite Solution or Liquid form) – it was decided that we would contact our supplier, East-Chem to insure that the chlorine we obtain is certified chlorine. 12. Letter to Mr. Dave Brazil, Chairperson of the Ferry Users Committee, from the Dept.of Transportation advising that effective Mar. 2, 2008, the “NO SMOKING” POLICY and “VACATING THE VEHICLE DECK” POLICY will be enforced. This issue will be further discussed by the Ferry Users Committee at their next meeting scheduled for Feb. 25, 2008. 13. Letter and invoice from Mr. Reg Durdle for our webpage renewal. Councillor Craig said that we do not require Outsourced web mail, so that amount $250.00 should be deducted from our account. It was decided that Mrs. Butler’s email address would be placed on our webpage as the official town email address. A motion was therefore made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor McCarthy that the webpage would be renewed for $1400.00 and not $1650.00. Motion carried. 14. A copy of the notice concerning the proposed relocation of Murphy’s Garage was circulated to councillors. Everyone agreed that this notice be placed in the next edition of the newsletter. 15. Letter from Rev. Trudy Sullivan concerning the proposed Drop-in Social Centre which her committee is planning to have at the Baker Brothers building. Rev. Sullivan had several questions for council, so it was decided that this matter be deferred until the answers to the questions can be researched before responding to her letter. 16. Email from Ocean Net’s Green Community Challenge – this letter was
about climate change whereas 10 communities will be chosen for a pilot
project, which will entail workshops, the development of a 10 Point
Lifestyle Challenge, etc. It was decided that our town would become part of
this challenge, and that Ms. Kay Coxworthy, from Ocean Net be advised of this decision. COUNCILLORS CONCERNS (1) Councillor Craig said that Bell Island should be considered as one of the communities which will be considered for the construction of a new penitentiary. Councillor McCarthy said that about 20 years ago a brief was prepared concerning this issue with Bell Island being the ideal location for such a facility. It was agreed that we see if this brief is still on hand, so that we would reinforce our proposal to have this building constructed here. (2) Councillor Craig said that stop signs and street signs are very badly needed on our roads, and that some action should be taken to have them erected. Mrs. Butler said she would check with the lead man to see how many signs are available with a view to having them erected as soon as possible. (3) Councillor Craig said that a letter has been sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs supporting Mr. Don Drew, vice-president of NEAJC, to sit on the newly constituted Greater Avalon Regional Waste Management Committee. (4) Councillor Craig said that council should give some thought to extending the hours of operation for the dump site. (5) Councillor McCarthy said he would like to know the scope of Mr. Ed Kent’s work for council, and how long he will be under contract with us. A motion was made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor McCarthy for the actual hiring of Mr. Kent, and that we would be meeting with him soon to discuss the various files that he will be handling. Motion carried. (6) Councillor Laurie said that with the help of our consultant we should definitely have our Disaster Plan updated and a mock disaster staged. (7) Mayor Gosine said that there is a huge pothole in Church Road that
must be repaired as quickly as possible to avoid a serious accident or
damage vehicles. The Town Manager/Clerk said she would have this taken care
of tomorrow. Page 7 (8) Mayor Gosine felt that we should send a Get Well card to former Minister of Municipal Affairs, Jack Byrne, who is quite ill in the Health Science Centre. There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 10:15pm on a motion by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Councillor Somerton. Motion carried. CONFIRMED _________________ _________________
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