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May 20, 2008 The last regular meeting was held in the council chamber on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, with the following in attendance: Mayor Gosine RCMP – Corp. Trevor O’Keefe The meeting was called to order at 8:05pm. RCMP Mayor Gosine introduced Corp. O’Keefe to council members. • Topics discussed: Mayor Gosine thanked Corp. O’Keefe for coming to the meeting and bringing us up to date on the various community related crime issues. ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES (1) Pump for Scotia # 1 – the new replacement pump will be placed in the well this week. (2) Clean-up – this is on going and should be completed as scheduled. (3) 40 Week Project – Resumes have been received and checked this week with a view to hiring a labourer as soon as possible. (4) Targa – Councillor Somerton said he had been talking to their officials and that everything should be on schedule for their race drivers training school in Sept. (5) Fields – Councillor Somerton suggested there be user fees in place
for groups using the fields. Also it was mentioned that someone should be
looking after scheduling of the fields, and also supervising the completion
of the fence, and perhaps Bill Ford could be responsible for this. It was
agreed to ask him if he would do this during the summer months. CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM A motion was made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor McCarthy that the decisions made at the special meeting regarding the Capital Works Program be hereby ratified. Motion carried. SUMMER JOBS FOR STUDENTS It was reported that 31 jobs have been approved for Bell Island this year, with 14 of those approved for council, recreation and the Ferry User’s Committee. Resumes will be received and the hiring committee will be responsible for carrying out interviews if necessary, and subsequently the hiring of students. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT Water problems in the Front area – agreed that we check to see if we can have a meter placed on the pump supplying water to the fish plant to determine if the cause for the shortage in this area is related to the plant. FINANCIAL REPORT Approved as presented. ARENA MANAGER’S REPORT Approved as presented. APPLICATIONS (1) Mr. Francis Cahill to build a house in Cemetery Lane. Approved in principle on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Craig. Motion carried. (2) Mr. Gordon Hawco to apply for crown land on Steve Neary Blvd.
Approved on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor
McCarthy. Motion carried. CORRESPONDENCE (1) Information from the Control of Tobacco Alliance re their endeavours to establish a smoke free policy for all outdoor recreation and sport areas and events. After a discussion, it was agreed to defer this until more time for discussion is available. (2) Dept. of Environment – waste management strategy – ordered placed on file. (3) Dept. of Environment – re burning prohibition re certain hazardous items. It was felt while on this topic that we would check with the MMSB regarding having a hazardous waste disposal day designated for the island. (4) Lorraine Fowler – re Exile Street. It was agreed that we reply to Mrs. Fowler’s letter advising that Exile St. is on the priority list to be paved this year. (5) James Farrell – re sewerage system for West Mines. Agreed to reply to Mr. Farrell advising that we have no immediate plans for extending the sewer lines to this area. (6) Sunlife Insurance – copy of letter which was sent to employee Gary Sweeney, ordered placed on file. (7) Heart and Stroke Foundation – Mayor Gosine said he would be walking again this year for this cause, and challenged the councillors to do so as well. (8) Petition from residents of Fourth St. complaining about a resident there and the mess surrounding that property. Agreed that we see if we can have health officials look into this for us. (9) Mary Dwyer – requesting that water be extended to her home on Shea’s Lane. She had a letter from her doctor recommending on her behalf that every effort be made to have a water supply extended to this property. Agreed that we would obtain a cost estimate regarding this situation. CONCERNS (1) Mrs. Butler said that an invitation had been received from the Cadets to attend their annual ceremonial review slated for May 25, 2008. Agreed that as many council members as possible attend if they can. (2) Mrs. Butler advised that a letter had been received from the Dept. of Tourism, Culture and Recreation regarding financial assistance which can be obtained from the Community Capital Grant Program. Agreed that we would have the Recreation Management Committee study this with a view to applying for such funding. (3) Mrs. Butler said that she had received correspondence from TREK magazine requesting that we place an ad in their magazine. It was agreed that we really could not afford to do that this year, but will give some consideration to perhaps placing an ad next year. (4) Councillor McCarthy reminded council that ditching is needed in various areas of the town, as well as the installation of some new culverts. The Town Manager said that this work would be carried out this summer. (5) Councillor McCarthy said that he had received some negative feedback regarding the fee we are charging to have animals euthanized, and that we should perhaps revisit this when considering our next tax schedule. (6) Councillor Craig mentioned having a digital map of the island on our webpage, and he mentioned looking into having a day for the disposal of hazardous waste – this had been mentioned earlier in the meeting. (7) Councillor Craig said that seniors and others have been complaining about the very uncomfortable seats on the Beaumont Hamel. Agreed that we would write the Dept. of Transportation informing them of this concern. (8) Mayor Gosine said that next year council should plan something for Municipal Awareness Day, as this year it did not get any recognition. (9) Mayor Gosine said that the fence around the old depot near the arena should be repaired and the yard cleaned up. (10) Mayor Gosine said that council should endeavour to put out a newsletter themselves with various municipal concerns and matters, i.e. Tidy Towns, Clean up, Taxes, etc. (11) Mayor Gosine said we should contact the Dept of Transportation and Works concerning some issues i.e. the need to have some intersections cleaned up, the flooding situation in Fitzgerald’s Lane, etc. (12) Mayor Gosine brought to council’s attention that the RCMP annual bicycle rodeo would be taking place at the arena on June. 14th. starting at 11am. (13) Mayor Gosine informed council that he had received a letter from Mrs. Ann Jackman –Jones who had some concerns about some information given to her by Mrs. Butler, and she felt that information was incorrect and she wanted an explanation for it. Mayor Gosine said that he had replied to the letter explaining that an error had been made in the information given her and that she has now been given the correct information, and that it is unfortunate this had taken place but it was just an honest mistake. (14) Councillor Kent said that some action should be taken soon regarding dilapidated buildings. (15) Councillor Kent said that a letter should be written to Mr. James Kelloway regarding the mess on Memorial St. (buses, etc.), and he should be requested to clean it up, as well as having an old loader removed from the beach area. (16) Mrs. Butler informed council that a Mr. Jim Power, a former Bell Islander, is going to be applying to council to build a new house on Nish Jackman Drive, and that an old bus is presently on his land or close to his land. It was agreed that the owner of this bus be contacted and requested to have it moved. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:20pm on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor McCarthy. Motion carried. CONFIRMED _________________________ _________________________
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