Apr. 27, 2004

The last regular meeting was held on Tuesday, Apr. 27, 2004, with the following in attendance:

          Mayor Gosine

          Deputy Mayor Pendergast

          Councillor Kent

          Councillor Squires

          Councillor Wade

          Town Manager, Mr. Kent

          Town Clerk, Mrs. Butler

          RCMP – Corp Merrill

The meeting was called to order at 4:05pm.  The minutes of the last regular meeting were adopted as circulated on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Wade.  Motion carried.

RCMP

The following items were brought up by Corp. Merrill:

1.       Beautification at the Beach – should not cost too much.

2.       Dilapidated buildings – council making a move to have this addressed.

3.       Strike – no police action necessary during the NAPE and CUPE strike.

4.       Crime Rate – no serious crime occuring on the island, with only some minor offenses occuring recently.

5.       Bus Shelters – RCMP patrolling shelter near the Legion where complaints have been received re loitering.  The Town Manager mentioned that he had received a complaint from Mr. Kevin Galway of Scotia # 1, that young people are loitering around the bus shelter near his house, and indeed causing damage to his property.  Corp. Merrill said he could carry out patrols in this area as well.  Also it was felt that we try to find out how many kids are using the various bus shelters now, as several may no longer be necessary and can be removed.

6.       Deputy Mayor – Corp. Merrill commended Deputy Mayor Pendergast on his help in keeping things under control at the Beach during the recent strike.

7.       New Schedule for ferry – Corp. Merrill felt we should move right away with strong opposition to the new schedule, as consultation was promised with the User Committee by our MHA, Ms. Dianne Whalen, before any changes take place.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES:

1.       Dilapidated Buildings – Mr. Kent reported that orders have been sent to more owners of such buildings, and that he has contacted others via phone.  Councillor Squires said he would endeavour to obtain a contact person regarding the late Harold Millier’s old house on Fifth St.

2.       Chlorination project – Mr. Kent reported that chlorine levels are still being checked and hopefully will be up to the correct levels soon.  He also reported that bladders have been purchased for the pressure tanks, as opposed to buying new tanks.

FINANCIAL REPORT – accepted as presented.

TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT:

Topics mentioned and discussed were:

1.     Arena roof project.

2.     Possibility of getting a truck from WST.

3.     Problem with water at the Beach.

4.     Heritage artifacts – building should be expanded. Agreed that we write the Heritage Society with a view to them extending their building to hold more artifacts and other items of historical interest.

5.     Rideout’s Road – complaint from Mrs. Fillier requesting that the road be paved. She is not happy with crushed stone on the road.

ARENA REPORT:

1.       A request was made by Mr. Ford to increase the percentage of proceeds from junior hockey games from 70/30 after game expenses, to 50/50 after game expenses.  It was suggested that perhaps a meeting could be called between council, Mr. Ford, and the executive of the Junior Blues to discuss this fully.

2.       It was mentioned that only one junior hockey practice was held at the arena this past season.

3.       Mayor Gosine said the arena is doing fairly well financially thanks to the dedication and hard work of the Arena Manager, but he said the arena can’t make it on hockey alone, other activities are required, i.e. curling, dances, etc.

CORRESPONDENCE:

1.       Letter from the Dept. of Municipal Affairs advising that our Municipal Operating Grants (MOG) would not be reduced this year.

2.       Letter from NLFM re provincial budget – ordered placed on file.

3.       Letter from the Dept. of Municipal Affairs re Regional Service Boards – ordered placed on file.

4.       Letter from NLFM re various issues.

5.       Letter from NLFM re donation towards their building fund -  defer this until we know if other communities are contributing and the amounts.

6.       Copy of letter that was sent to Joan Whalen advising that the micro businesses (Bell Island Guardian Committee) do not fall under the umbrella of Operation Sunshine since 2001. 

Mr. Kent presented a breakdown of winter operations costs for the past several years. This information was requested by Councillor Squires at the last regular council meeting.

CONCERNS:

1.       Mr. Kent advised that the dozer will be operated on the fields to help with levelling required there.  He said he had received a request from Mr. Ken Kavanagh.

2.       Councillor Squires requested that the dugouts at the ballfields be checked with a view to having them repaired where needed.

3.       Councillor Squires felt that we have used a lot of salt and sand on our road this winter.  Mr. Kent agreed with this but said it certainly was necessary due to the weather conditions.

4.       Councillor Wade agreed to represent council at the wreath laying ceremony at the memorial at Lance Cove Beach this weekend.  She also agreed to represent the town at St. Michael’s Graduation ceremony.

5.       Councillor Wade asked who was responsible for the loose rock at the top of the Beach Hill which is a danger to drivers.  Mr. Kent said this is the responsibility of the Dept. of WST, he said he would contact them to have this removed.

6.       Councillor Squires felt the old swimming pool building in the sports field should be removed, also he felt the mess left in the lower field where a tennis court was planned should be cleaned up and made a little more respectable.

7.       Councillor Squires suggested that council carry out draining and manhole cleaning as soon as possible.  Mr. Kent said this work is on going and will continue into the summer.

8.       Councillor Squires said that Valley Hill is in dire need of being upgraded and perhaps the Town Manager could accompany him there so that they can determine the best approach to having this hill upgraded to a satisfactory level.

9.       Councillor Squires mentioned that we should make some move towards having vacant land identified and perhaps combined into several parcels so that our fees to the Municipal Assessment Agency could be reduced.

10.    Councillor Kent felt we should look into hiring a university student with engineering abilities to help with some projects, such as preparing a decent map of Bell Island.

11.   Deputy Mayor Pendergast said the area around the West Dam is in deplorable condition.  Mayor Gosine suggested that he and Councillor Kent visit the area soon to see what has taken place and what needs to be addressed there.

12.   Councillor Squires wondered if we would be ready for a land fill operation at the dump when we close our incinerator soon.  Mr. Kent said the dozer will be used there to keep the area cleared and clean.

13.   Deputy Mayor Pendergast said he had been talking to the watchman at the dump who said that if the number of people using the dump was reduced it would be easier to keep the area cleaned.  He said people should make sure their garbage is put out in time for Mr. Hunt to collect it, so that they do not have to go to the dump themselves after closing areas thus throwing garbage all over the place.

14.   Mr. Kent said that cardboard is a problem with a land fill operation, and also he said people have to be educated to recycle various items. 

15.   Councillor Squires asked if any new developments would be taking place at the lighthouse soon.  Mr. Kent said he would be contacting the Federal Government with a view to finding out what the next step is in regard to the rehabilitation of this area.

16.   Councillor Squires inquired on behalf of Ambrose Rose who felt he was entitled to a refund from council for wages attached to pay his taxes. The Town Clerk advised that the amount attached covered both taxes owing and court costs involved. And that no refund is due to him.

17.    Councillor Kent asked that we check to see if any grants are available to employ people at the present time, he asked about the oil tanks on Beach Hill and what is Irving Oil’s intention regarding them, he inquired about the possible removal of the fence from the incinerator site, the possible use of the building at the Pier (ESSO) for a smoke house for the Fire Dept.   He also asked if Newco would be coming this year to remove old wrecks, and when would we be getting the truck which we bid on in Gander, and the MMSB funding.  Another issue he spoke on was the stray dog which we have had impounded for the several weeks.  Mr. Kent said that the dog would be transported to the SPCA in St. John’s now that the strike is over and the ferry is operating on schedule.  He was advised that no overtime was paid to our Animal Control officer to feed the dog after hours and on weekend.

18.   Councillor Kent spoke about the old bus which Mr. Don Crane has on his property, and this should not be permitted.

19.   Councillor Squires informed council that a request would be forth coming from the Legion to have the Steve Neary mural removed from their parking lot.  It was felt by council that it should remain there and be restored.  Mr. Kent said he would contact Mr. Bill Whalen for an estimate of costs involved to have it restored.

20.   Mayor Gosine informed council that he has been working many, many long hours during the strike especially in relation to the ferry and the frustrations of people trying to travel.  He felt perhaps council should at least pay some of his cell phone expenses.

There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 6:15pm on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Wade.  Motion carried.

CONFIRMED

_________________Mayor       ___________________Town Clerk

Next meeting, Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at 4pm