Aug. 30.2005

The last regular meeting was held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday, Aug. 30th. with the following in attendance:

Mayor Gosine
Deputy Mayor Pendergast
Councillor Kent
Councillor Laurie
Councillor Pitts
Councillor Squires

Town Clerk, Mrs. Butler

Const. Tipple, RCMP

The meeting was called to order at 4:00pm by Mayor Gosine. The minutes of the last regular meeting were adopted as circulated on a motion by Councillor Squires and seconded by Councillor Pitts. Motion carried.

RCMP

Const. Tipple introduced himself to the councilors, and reported that things have been pretty quiet over the summer, even during the Come Home Year celebrations when many, many more people were on the island. He said the social functions were handled without major incidents. He did report that there is a problem here still with ATV's, and that lately several people have had their ATV's seized. Another issue he commented on was that there have been a few incidents at teen dances with teenage drinking, however he said, this problem has since been solved.

ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

(1) Playground equipment - Mayor Gosine informed council that a piece of playground equipment (slide) has been purchased and will be placed in the playing field next spring.

(2) Paving - Mayor Gosine said that since a mistake was made in the calculation for the cost to have O'Neill's Hill paved in Lance Cove by some $70,000, he has confirmation that this money will be used for provincial road paving in the Town of Wabana.

(3) Mural on the Green - agreed that the boarder on this mural be painted.

FINANCIAL REPORT - Approved as presented.
Councillor Squires was concerned that the map being designed by Ms. Jillian Hart, has not come to council for viewing. It was mentioned that this could be done at our next meeting.

TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT - approved as presented.

APPLICATIONS

(1) From Ray Johnson to build a house on Lance Cove Road.
(2) From James Newell to build a house on Middleton Ave.
(3) From Paul Hickey to build a house on Kavanagh's Road.

Those three applications were approved in principle, subject to the approval of the Dept. of Government Services, on a motion by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Pitts. Motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

(1) Memo from Fred Kirby from Gerald Kennedy, Dept. of Natural Resources re an investigation of Granville Hunt's quarry permit and boundary east of the West Dam. The Mayor felt that perhaps Mr. Kennedy could come to meet with council to discuss this issue further as council does have a concern with this quarry.

(2) Infonote from NLFM re community challenge. Agreed that we forward a copy of the video which is available at the museum as our submission to this challenge.

(3) Letter from the Dept. of Municipal Affairs re JEPP. Agreed that we check with the fire dept. to determine if any emergency equipment is required.

(4) Letter from the Dept. of Tourism, Culture and Recreation re recreation grant for $1232.00. Agreed that this amount would go towards the cost of the new slide for the children's playground.

(5) Infonote from NLFM re petition to return the weather station to Gander. Agreed that this petition be placed on the front counter so that people could have an opportunity to sign it.

(6) Letter from Mr. David Brazil proposing that an Arena Management Committee be established to assist the new arena manager and to guarantee the survival of the arena. It was felt that if a committee is struck, it would become a Recreation Commission, and therefore be eligible for the obtaining of various recreational grants. It was felt that we would first of speak with the new Arena Manager, and of course let him get a feel for things before we rush into anything.

It was mentioned that Minor Hockey cannot seem to get a good committee together and this being one piece of the puzzle in relation to the operation of the arena, it was felt that this issue will have to be addressed soon by council and/or other interested persons.

Next Mayor Gosine presented a submission to the Public Utilities Board regarding Petroleum Pricing, which was complied by Mr. Edward Kent on behalf of council. This brief contained the issues and concerns of Bell Island in regards to the increasing cost of fuel oil and gasoline. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Pendergast and seconded by Councillor Laurie that the invoice for the preparation of this brief, for $536.71, payable to Kent Financial Services be paid. Motion carried.

COUNCILLORS' CONCERNS

(1) Councillor Squires was upset that the date of this meeting was changed to accommodate Deputy Mayor Pendergast, whereas he has requested meetings to accommodate him, which were not acknowledged. Agreed that in future we try to accommodate all councilors when we arrange our meetings. He said he would let us know if he can attend the next meeting scheduled for Sept. 20th. and if he can't he is requesting that we have it changed to accommodate him.

(2) Councillor Squires had concerns about the following issues:
a. The need for ditching in the Green area.
b. Turnaround not high enough for trailers near the manhole for disposal of sewage from them.
c. Road work required in The Valley.
d. Several dilapidated buildings still need to be removed.
e. Old incinerator needs to be removed.
f. Lack of work carried out by the Dept. of WST this summer. Mayor Gosine said that some work has been done recently, and they need to be given credit for that.
g. Provincial road paving - and when it will start.
h. When the lighthouse project should start.

(3) Councillor Laurie had concerns about the following issues:
a. Road near Alex Newell's, Courthouse Hill, and the use of ATV's in this area. Agreed that this matter be brought to the attention of the RCMP.
b. Water ban - she asked if council is responsible for making decision regarding water ban. She was informed that council is responsible, but that a judgment call had been made by the Acting Town Clerk and the Mayor recently to put an announcement over the radio to ask residents to please conserve water during the summer months as our systems are being overused with the influx of so many people this year.

(4) Councillor Kent had concerns about the following issues:
a. Overtime by employees. He requested a list of overtime for the past year.
b. When the warranty on the backhoe expires.
c. A list of sick days used by employees.
d. He suggested that council take a hard look at our expenditures in light of the ever-increasing cost for gasoline. He felt that employees should be more diligent in their use of the equipment.
e. He mentioned some issues with employees that he would like to have checked into.

(5) Deputy Mayor Pendergast had concerns about the following issue:
a. The need for a culvert near the residence of Mr. Rick Hussey, Scotia # 1.

(6) Councillor Pitts had concerns with the following issues:
a. She expressed congratulations with the WBGC on their 50th. anniversary, and to Mr. Jim Hearn for 40 years of work there. She also said that Leona and Joey are very competent workers and need to be commended for such.
b. She said she was impressed with the tribute to her late husband, Lloyd, during the anniversary celebrations.

(7) Mayor Gosine had concerns with the following issues:
a. He said that Mr. Edward Kent and Minister Whelan have been successful in obtaining a meeting with Minister Jack Byrne for Sept. 15th. at 11:30am.
b. He said that our request for a new well and pumping station at Steve Neary Blvd. was not approved for this year, but he will continue to lobby for this. It was also felt that perhaps we can have this work done without having to get into the huge costs for engineers, etc.
c. He said that the Come Home Year celebrations were very successful, with a great summer for locals and visitors. He said the ferry service wasn't the greatest, but it could have been worse, so we are thankful for what we do have.
d. Mayor Gosine said he performed a wedding at the Grebes Nest on Saturday past, and commended that work is needed in that area for easier access. He said more signage is needed there as well.
e. Mayor Gosine congratulated all members of council for their four years of service and wished them well in the upcoming election on Sept. 27th.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:10pm on a motion by Councillor Pitts and seconded by Councillor Laurie. Motion carried.

CONFIRMED

__________________________
Mayor

__________________________
Town Clerk

Next meeting scheduled for Sept. 20th.