TOWN OF WABANA

Minutes  of the regular meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008

 

The last regular meeting was held on Tuesday, Oct. 21st with the following in attendance:

Mayor Gosine

Deputy Mayor Pendergast

Councillor Craig

Councillor Kent

Councillor Laurie

Councillor McCarthy

Coundillor Somerton

Consultant Mr. Ed. Kent

Town Manager/Town Clerk Mrs. Butler

Accounts Receivable Officer Joe Donkers

 

RCMP

Const. Steve Pike

Sgt. Trevor O’Keefe

 

Gallery:

Fred Butler

Jabez Butler

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:35pm.  The minutes of the following meetings were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pendergast.  Motion carried:

 

·        Minutes of the regular meeting held Sept. 16, 2008

·        Minutes of the special meeting held Sept. 23, 2008

·        Minutes of the special meeting held Sept. 25, 2008

 

RCMP

 

Const. Pike presented council with a framed picture of all members of the RCMP detachment.  Mayor Gosine thanked Const. Pike for this.

 

Sgt. O’Keefe reported to council that things are under control on the island at the present time.  He said many of the issues have been dealt with and things are running well. 

 

Mayor Gosine mentioned that ATV’s are still a problem on the island, however Sgt. O’Keefe said that they are receiving far less calls about them lately, which is a good thing.

 

JOE DONKERS

 

Mr. Donkers presented and outlined a report to council of the work he is doing in relation to the accounts receivable.  Council felt this was a good report and endorsed the suggestions made by Mr. Donkers in his report.

 

FRED AND JABEZ BUTLER

 

These gentleman (brothers) brought to council’s attention a problem with flooding in their area due to a blocked culvert on West Track Road.  It was decided that council would investigate this problem with a view to rectifying it.

 

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

 

The following topics were mentioned and discussed:

·        Backhoe – under repairs again

·        Employees – some issues to be discussed with them.

·        Pumphouses – several must be upgraded ASAP.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

 

The Town Manager/Town Clerk reported that we are still working in a deficit position, and that we must get more cash flow as soon as possible.  Ed (Kent) suggested we contact the government with a view to obtaining the tax money for those receiving assistance from the Dept. of  Human Resources and Employment in a lump sum, as opposed to quarterly.  

 

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

 

·        The Valley – reported that the paving project there is excellent, and kudos go out to our workers for their input and help with this project.

·        Shea’s Lane – agreed that we run a water line in this area as soon as possible. This was covered in a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Somerton.  Motion carried.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

(1)   Letter from Motocross requesting a meeting with council in the near future.  This will be arranged.

(2)  Letter from Fred Butler re drainage problem – this was dealt with earlier in the meeting.

(3)  Letter from the Knights of Columbus re their 100th. anniversary – agreed that Councillor Craig write a letter of congratulations to them.

(4)  Letter from the Dept. of Environment  - report on well inspections.  It was agreed that we must take steps to have our wells and pumphouses improved and  brought up to an acceptable standard.

(5)  Letter from Mr. Ben Noseworthy seeking employment with council in a managerial position.  Letter to be placed on file.

(6)  Letter from the Dept. of Natural Resources re letter which had been sent to all local contactors re quarry permits, etc.  It was felt that a meeting was in order now with officials from the Dept. of Natural Resources, the local contractors and council to discuss this issue in more detail.

(7)  Letter from Capital Coast re nominations for the Killick Coast/Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove Region for a municipal seat on the board of directors.  A motion was made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Somerton that we would nominate Mr. Walter Butt for this position.  Motion carried.

(8)  Letter from Newco Metal for 2009 to 2011 re contract for scrap removal.  It was felt that we should negotiate for more than $100.00 per load.

(9)  Application from Mr. Kevin Kent to build a new home on Tennis Court Road. This was approved in principle on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor McCarthy.  Motion carried.

(10)                     Copy of letter which was sent to dealers and agents for soft drink and beer products at the arena.

(11)                      Invitation from the Bell Island Heritage Society re a function to celebrate their designation as a Registered Heritage Structure.

(12)                      Letter which has been drafted to forward to Minister Whalen re various items.  Agreed that this be sent to her.

(13)                      Report from NLCEL regarding our water system upgrades and the 72 hour pump test result on the new well on Steve Neary Blvd.   It was felt that we should do our very best to get things moving on this new well as there is a serious water shortage in the front of the island.

(14)                      Information from the MNL convention regarding the need to have our Tangible Capital Assets documented and valued.

 

 

REPORT FROM ED KENT ON VARIOUS TOPICS

 

Mr. Kent outlined all the projects and issues he has been working on for council.

 

CONCERNS

 

Councillor Craig suggested we make a very strong case to government for the reinstatement of our Special Operating Grant. This was agreed by all.

 

Councillor Craig said he had a request from Alex Newell for a stop sign on his road, and a street name sign on his road. This to be taken care off.

 

Councillor Craig said that he had a request from Mr. Ed Fitzgerald to have a drainage problem in his area investigated. This to be checked out.

 

Councillor Craig made mention of a Community Radio station for the island to get information out to the residents.  It was felt that this was good idea and worth checking into.

 

Councillor McCarthy said that we should tender for our annual audit.  It was mentioned that this has to be approved before the end of July, thus this year’s audit will be completed by our usual auditor.

 

Councillor McCarthy said that some clean up work has to be done around the outside of the arena, removal of gravel, etc.

 

Mayor Gosine said that he learned at the convention that the deadline for land fills would be extended. This was felt to be a very good thing.

 

Mayor Gosine said that he spoke to Sean Martin from the Municipal Assessment Agency while at the convention,  he said he would be coming to the island or someone else from the agency to help us with ‘land’ issues.

 

Mayor Gosine recommended that Whalen’s Street be repaired with asphalt as soon as possible.   This was covered in a motion by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Councillor Kent.  Motion carried.

 

Next a discussion took place regarding the applications received for a supervisor for the arena.  After a discussion it was agreed on a motion by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Councillor Kent that Mrs. Hollie Neary be hired for a 90 day trial period for between 15-25 hours per week, and Mr. Norm King be hired for a 60 day trial period for work in the canteen for between 15-25 hours per week.  Motion carried.

 

This being all the business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 11:15pm on a motion by Councillor Somerton and seconded b y Councillor Craig.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

____________________

Mayor

 

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Town Manager/Town Clerk