MINUTES

TORBAY ENVIRONMENT & TRAILS COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, April 28, 2004, 7:30pm, Kinsmen Centre

Present: Shirley Thorne Madeleine Florent

Mike Byrne Mike Wawrzkow

Joanne Parsons Jimmy Parsons

1. Introductions and Review of Agenda

The agenda was approved and introductions were made.

2. Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting (March 31)

The minutes of the last meeting were approved with the following updates on items:

(1) the combined TETC/Gully Project newsletter was released earlier this month;

(2) both the town and the TETC Gully Project were nominated for the provincial environmental awards;

(3) the town held a reception on April 21 to thank its volunteers;

(4) it would be useful to have a member on the ECTA board and anyone interested in being nominated should contact the TETC executive;

(5) Madeleine sent a letter to Tom Osborne on April 23 giving our suggestions regarding the proposed revisions to the Pesticide Control Regulations.

3. Gully Project Steering Committee Report

The next few weeks will be very busy as the project enters its final quarter. Jim Cantwell is coordinating the construction of the classrooms with the help of numerous volunteers. More volunteers are needed. Shirley is following up with the Avalon East School Board to obtain their written agreement regarding the classroom to be located at the High School. There will be a meeting later this week with the engineers to discuss the water control structure and make plans for construction. Over the next few weeks, clean-ups and tree planting will take place involving the schools and youth groups. The neighbourhood clean-up will also include the Gully area.

4. Mapping of Trails Project Update

Mike indicated that Norm Doyle would be interceding on our behalf to help us get a summer student for as many weeks as possible.

5. Planning for Annual Neighbourhood Clean-up

The annual spring clean-up will take place from May 7-17. Plans for the neighbourhood clean-up are moving ahead. A planning meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday, May 6 at the Kinsmen Centre office. We will be drafting a letter for Bob Codner’s signature to all the businesses in town encouraging them to clean up their properties including ditches. Torbay Road is especially bad this year. Joanne agreed to design a poster which we will ask the town to send to all homes. Shirley will ask Bob Webber about using their sirens the day of the clean-up

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to remind people to come out and help. We are also looking at possibly giving away seedlings like in the past and some prizes as well.

6. CCDA Workers

Shirley spoke to Kurt Youden at CCDA about getting some labourers to help out with various tasks including the clean-up. No word yet on the timing of this help.

7. Hillside Festival

We are planning a booth again this year and the women’s Institute have agreed to help out as in the past. We are hoping to get the use of Newfoundland Power’s tent free-of-charge. We will need a generator.

8. Partners for Climate Protection - Recommendation to Council

The Committee supports our town registering as a partner in this program especially as we have Mike W. as a resource to help us through the process. Only four communities have registered so far in this province. As a member, we will be eligible to apply for funds. We will need to make a presentation to Council. Mike will put together a proposal for Council in the near future, possibly for the May 10 or May 25 meeting.

Mike W. recommended that the TETC become a member of the Green Communities Association who is now promoting the One-Ton Challenge. Pilot communities will become eligible for funding in the area of $30,000 to $60,000.

9. Meetings Attended by Committee Members

At its April 12 meeting, Council commended Krista for her report on the landscape conference she attended in Gander last month.

10. Other Business

10.1 Forest Landing

Mike will get an update on the Forest Landing concerns raised with Council a few weeks ago. Madeleine asked if it would be possible to erect ‘no motorized boats’ signs at Western Island Pond. At least one motorized boat was seen there last summer.

10.2 Tree Planting

Tree planting is a big part of the climate change component of the Gully Project and anyone wishing to have some seedlings planted on their property should contact the project office.

10.3 Community Hike

A community hike Jones Pond/Middle Cove is tentatively planned for Sunday afternoon, June 6. Details will be confirmed at the next meeting.

11. Date of Next Meeting and Adjournment

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 26 at 7:30pm at the Kinsmen Centre.