TOWN OF WABANA

 

 

The last regular meeting of the Town Council of Wabana was held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, Mar. 10th. with the following in attendance:

 

     Mayor Gosine

     Deputy Mayor Pendergast

     Councillor Craig

     Councillor Kent

     Councillor Laurie

     Councillor Somerton

     Consultant Ed Kent

     Town Manager, Diane Butler

     Accounts Receivable officer, Joe Donkers

 

 Several spectators in the gallery:

     Lester Rose

     Gary Byrne

     David Foley

     Stan MacDonald

     Reg King

    

The meeting was called to order by Deputy Mayor Pendergast at 7:40 (Mayor Gosine was a little late arriving due to another meeting).

 

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

 

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

 

Gerald Murphy – some discussion took place concerning his application to open a garage on Mercer St. Mr. Murphy’s had responded to council’s letter advising that he would adhere to all stipulations laid down by the Dept. of Environment and council.  A motion was then made by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor kent that permission be granted to Mr. Murphy to open the garage subject to the Dept. of Municipal Affairs allowing a commercial establishment in a residential zone.  Motion carried.  It was agreed that a letter be written to the Planning Division of the Dept. of Municipal Affairs requesting if council can use its discretion in allowing this garage in the area that is zoned residential. 

 

The following reports were accepted as presented:

 

1.          Financial report (Jan. and Feb.)

2.          Town Manager’s report (Jan and Feb.)

3.          Arena Manager’s report (Jan.)

4.          Accounts Receivable report (Jan and Feb.)

Because some tax invoices were late being mailed it was decided that interest would not be added until Apr. 30 instead of Mar. 31.  This was covered in a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Kent.  Motion carried.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

1.          Letter from Union rep. Dave Pearce re ways to achieve $40,000. in cutbacks in overtime.  This matter to be discussed at a special meeting to be held at a later date.

2.          Letter from NLCEL re Wabana Complex – Assessment and Energy Audit describing the scope of work, etc.

3.          Letter from Mr. Gerald Murphy in response to our letter to him regarding his proposed garage.  This matter was dealt with earlier in the meeting.

4.          Letter from Minor Hockey requesting we place an ad in their booklet for this year’s tournament.  Council agreed to go with a full page ad at a cost of $60.00, this was covered in a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Craig.  Motion carried.

5.          Letter from The Capital Coast Dev. Alliance regarding their Regional Planning Session scheduled for Mar. 27 and 28th.  Councillor Craig and our Acct. Receivable office, Joe Donkers said they would attend this session.

(6)           Letter from Mr. David Foley requesting that council hold a public forum to allow the residents to have some input into our tax increases and to express their concerns. It was felt that council meetings are public forums and thus there is no need to have other public forums.

 

CONSULTANT’S REPORT

 

Mr. Kent led us through his report which covered all the various projects on going in the town, see attached for the complete report.

 

CONCERNS

 

(1)           Councillor Kent mentioned a few areas that our project workers could carry out more brush cutting (Murphy’s Lane, Memorial St.).

(2)           Councillor Kent recommended council look into the possibility of purchasing a leak detection device, maybe cost-shared with government.

(3)           Councillor Somerton reminded council that we have $15,000 to spend on the sports fields this summer.

(4)           Councillor Somerton informed council that Miss Ashley Hunt did very well in the recent Miss Newfoundland Beauty Contest.  It was agreed that we would send her a letter of congratulations.

(5)           Mayor Gosine suggested that a letter of thanks be forwarded to the crew on the ferry for their courtesy in waiting for the group with Miss Hunt who were returning from the pageant, and running late.

(6)           Councillor Craig reminded council that some new management plans will have to be made when the Town Manager/Clerk retires soon.  He reminded them that Mrs. Butler would be having her ‘significant’ retirement birthday this weekend, and will be retiring from her position as soon as a replacement is found.

(7)           Councillor Craig reminded council that an inventory must be taken of our tangible assets, this is a must or we will not be eligible for future government funding. 

(8)           Councillor Craig said that car wrecks are starting to accumulate around town again.  Hopefully people will come forward during our clean up month of May to have those wrecks paid to be removed.

(9)           Councillor Craig talked about the people in Lance Cove being charged a Poll Tax and or a Fire Protection Fee.  He said it doesn’t seem fair that they do not pay for the use of our services including fire protection.

(10)      Councillor Laurie said that Hollie Neary had approached her regarding the meeting she was promised with the Finance Committee.  This meeting will be set up with her and others when we have received some necessary pertinent information from the Dept. of Municipal Affairs and the Assessment Agency regarding taxes on rental units.

(11)      Deputy Mayor Pendergast mentioned a few more places for brush cutting.

(12)      Mayor Gosine was concerned that the RCMP was not represented tonight at our meeting.

 

Mayor Gosine asked the spectators if they had any questions or concerns:

 

(1)           Dave Foley – talked about the wood cutting in the Lance Cove area.  He also reiterated that he would have liked it if council had held a public forum concerning the recent tax increase.  And he commended Ed Kent on the good job he is doing for the town.

(2)           Reg King – asked if the pump had been ordered for the lift station on Davidson Ave.  He was informed that it has been ordered.

(3)           Lester Rose – informed council that his domestic water supply has been very discolored lately.  He also asked about the water problem at the front of the island, and the land for the municipal park.

(4)           Stan MacDonald – reminded council that they should have some way of informing the residents of things that are taking place in council and the various projects and programs ongoing.  He suggested we use the town website more effectively.   He suggested we make sure we check the size of the new compactor truck to make sure it will fit on the ferry.  Also he said that before our landfill operation is closed our residents should be educated about recycling.

 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:45pm on a motion by Councillor Craig and seconded by Councillor Somerton.  Motion carried.

 

 

CONFIRMED

 

______________________

Mayor

 

______________________

Town Manager/Clerk