Minutes - Town of Wabana Regular Council Meeting January 20, 2010

Attendance:

Mayor Gary Gosine

Deputy Mayor Kay Crane

Councillor Stan MacDonald

Councillor Linda Skehans

Councillor Dave Foley

Councillor Scott Clarke

Councillor Brian Kent

Staff:

Town Manager/Clerk Ben Noseworthy

Town Consultant Ed Kent

Recreation Manager Hollie Neary

Mayor Gosine opened the meeting at 7:38pm.

RCMP

Constable Jonathon Murphy from Fredrickton, NB has been posted here for a three year term.

COP group has been a tremendous help to the detachment and things are going very well.  Since November 5^th drug charges have been laid and more pending.  With community support moral has increased significantly at the detachment.  Looking forward to continuing to build relationships with the community.

Councillor Foley asked if Trevor would meet with Council on his return from Olympic duty to discuss setting up a neighbourhood watch type program,.

Mayor Gosine mentioned that Council; is looking forward to the establishment of a community crime prevention committee in the near future.

Mayor Gosine invited Constable Murphy to attend the next Kiwanis meeting.

Delegations

Maxwell Harvey made a presentation to Council regarding his tax abatement application.  Mayor Gosine and Councillor Foley expressed support for the Bell of the Bay Inn.

Recreation Report

Mayor Gosine discussed the request by the Figure Skating Club for funding, ice rental discount, and a contribution to the program with a Council ad.  Council concurred that the Recreation Manager has permission to work directly with the Club to assist in making their event as successful as possible.

Adoption of Minutes

Correction to amount of grant discussed by Councillor Clarke from $1,500.00 to $15,000.00

Motioned by Councillor MacDonald, second by Deputy Mayor Crane that the minutes of December 16, 2009 be adopted as amended, all in favour, carried (2010-01-01

Business Arising from the Minutes

a)  Zamboni discussion tabled to next meeting.

b)  Staff to develop a committee structure for discussion at a future meeting.

c)  Council members interested in serving on the ICSP Committee to let the office know by next Monday.

d)  See Privileged Meeting minutes

f)  Councillor Scott expressed concern that business' may be surprised by the 20 mil levy.  Councillor Foley stated that most business'  are not as hard hit as the average 61% increase to residential taxes.  Councillor MacDonald suggested that we reduce the commercial mil rate from 20 mils to 13 mils for one year only to allow the tax committee to review for next year.  Mayor Gosine stated that business' have had a break for many years.  Deputy Mayor Crane noted that the increase for residents was not of Council but this increase will be.

Councillor Foley motioned, second by Councillor Kent, that the Commercial mil rate remain unchanged, Deputy Mayor Crane, Councillors Skehans, MacDonald, C Clarke Nay, defeated.  (2010-01-02)

Councillor Foley expressed dismay at giving such a discount to business who were not hit with large assessment increases.  Councillor Kent agreed and noted that Council had already discussed the low increase in business assessments as being a problem.  Mayor Gosine strongly agreed with these comments.

Councillor Clarke motioned, second by Councillor MacDonald, that the Commercial mil rate be set to 13 mils and that communication be sent to commercial property owners that next year they will be taxed at the full Commercial rate set by Council, Mayor Gosine, Deputy Mayor Crane, Councillors Foley, Kent nay, defeated.  (2010-01-03)

Councillor MacDonald noted that a budget vote requires a two-thirds vote to pass.  Councillor Clarke noted he is not against a 20 mil Commercial rate, just that Council needs time to communicate effectively to impacted property owners.

g)  Councillors will provide feedback on the proposed letter to residents by next Tuesday, the Clerk will compile the responses and present to Council prior to mailing out.

Clerk's Report

Discussion on snow clearing and overtime.

Water issues on Lighthouse Road, odor in water, staff response is not satisfactory.  Staff to investigate and report to Council.

Consultant's Report

Councillor Clarke expressed support for the soccer field application.

Councillor Clarke questioned what the roof for the Sports Museum was all about.  Mr. Kent responded that they will raise the 10% if we get the 90% funding in place.  Council would welcome a presentation by the Sports Museum at a future meeting.

Deputy Mayor Crane and Councillor Foley expressed concern about the lack of information on the motor-cross park.  Councillor Clarke suggested that this be dealt with by a Recreation Committee.

Correspondence

Motion by Councillor MacDonald, second by Deputy Mayor Crane, that Council vote for Paul on the next MAA ballot, all in favour, carried.  (2010-01-04)

The rest of the correspondence was tabled to the next meeting.

Building Permits

Councillor Kent motioned, second by Councillor Clarke, that Staff issue a building permit when all other government requirements are approved, all in favour, carried.  (2010-01-05)

Staff directed to ensure that the Town is issuing permit appropriately with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

Meeting adjourned to a privileged meeting at 9:32pm

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Mayor

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Town Clerk