MINUTES

TORBAY ENVIRONMENT TRAILS COMMITTEE

 

Thursday, January 7, 2011, 8:15 PM, Kinsmen Center

Present:        Lee Harvey, Madeleine Florent, Myra Maynard, Ralph Tapper, Michael Gardiner, Helen Spencer, Robbie Hicks, Sylvia Warkentin

 

1.         Approval of agenda and minutes of last meeting (November 4, 2010)

 

Approved with the addition of attendees of last meeting.

 

1.         Gardening Club

 

-           Helen suggested starting a special interest group under the umbrella of TETC; combining the two ideas of a having a local gardening club with dinners hosted in member homes. The group would share knowledge, swap/share seeds, plants, produce, space etc.

 

ACTION

 

Helen – to contact Tina A. and Steve Martin about starting a club in Torbay

 

1.         Great Meals for a Change

 

-           Helen will do the training properly in 2 weeks (she just did the activities without the meal so far) and then host a dinner for some people interested in training and her contact Carla will be there. After that those who have done the training can host further dinner parties for other people whether or not they want to commit to hosting. She collected names of people interested and will talk to each one to find out whether they would prefer the first or second dinner. 

 

            ACTION

 

Helen – to send emails out to members of the group who expressed interest in exploring this idea further and attending a dinner she plans on hosting.

 

1.         Green Team

 

-           Application deadline to the Conservation Corp. for Torbay/TETC to have a Green Team this summer is due at the end of February.

 

-           Various scenarios were discussed as to what exactly they would do and who could/would supervise. Potential projects include: day-camp, developing raised beds for community garden, Hillside Festival, rock garden, environmental activities, a week's camp at the Brother Brennan Centre, etc.

 

-           The cost of this team is $3000.00, but we would receive $12,000.00 in return in the form of labour and in kind contributions. The possibility of partnering with the town for this was discussed and it was felt that was would likely have to be a must in order for us to follow through with it. Each group contributing $1500 and sharing the benefits.

 

            ACTION

 

Helen – To meet with Tina A. and Steve Martin from the town to further explore this idea

 

1.         Trail Maps

 

-           Helen and Sylvia met with Krista Jones (MUN student of Rodolph), and Beth will also be meeting with her to go over the progress of this project. The urgency of having these maps completed was expressed due to the pace of development in Torbay. It was felt that of primary importance would be to have an overall map showing all the trails which could then be presented to the town in order to assist them in town planning. We are currently awaiting map and updates from MUN.

 

1.         Recycling

 

-           Madeleine reported on the status of the recycling project and informed the group that the discrepancy of the past months had been corrected, that the use of the Evergreen Recycling Card was progressing well and making the work much easier for all involved. She will include complete updates of funds and other figures in the up-coming newsletter.

 

-           Madeleine also informed the group that after nine years she will no longer be collecting recyclables from Bridie Malloy’s in St. John’s. The funds lost from this are easily made up from the increase in our local blue box.

 

The group expressed their sincerest thanks to Madeleine (and Georges) for her work.

 

-           Discussion was had regarding the possibility of holding a recycling blitz, and  maybe partnering with F.O.G. (Friends of the Gully) on this. Earth day in April was suggested as a potential date.

 

            ACTION

 

Helen – to write a thank-you letter to Bridie Malloy’s for their generosity over the years with a copy of the letter being sent to the town.

 

Madeleine – to put a thank-you to Bridie Malloy’s in the Avalon Times.

 


1.         TETC and F.O.G.

 

-           The potential of having TETC and F.O.G. screen the movie “Fresh” at the school was discussed.

 

            ACTION

 

Helen & Michael – to talk to school officials and investigate further.

 

 

1.         Newsletter

 

-           Contributions are still needed; deadline for submission to Helen is Jan. 21 for early February distribution.

 

            ACTION

 

Helen – to contact Monica to ask/confirm if she can edit the newsletter again.

 

1.         Open Space Management Plan

 

-           Ralph reported that the consultants will have a meeting with the council sub-committee on the final draft on January 17th, with that draft then being presented to council by the end of the month for council approval.

 

-           Meeting with land-owners in the Gully in conjunction with NLCC are on-going.

 

-           Lee expressed his concern about the on-going and future development of the land near his property on Bauline Line and towards Gosses Pond. This is a pristine area and the natural habitat for numerous birds and other wildlife. He was encouraged to document any unusual sightings which could then be passed on to NCC to aid their conservation efforts. The group accepted Lee’s invitation to hike and view this area on Sunday, January 9.

 

1.         Budget

 

-           Madeleine reported that our budget request from the town was approved and that we currently have just under $5000.00 in our account.

 

1.         Other Business

 

-           Michael reported that F.O.G. want to hold a fundraiser and wondered if we had a project, possibly to do with trails, that they could contribute to. It was decided that tools will be needed for clearing the ECT in Torbay once the new trail clearing team is in place.

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM.