MINUTES

1. Approval of Agenda and Minutes of Last Meeting (March 26, 2008)

The agenda and minutes were approved.

Madeleine reported that the Urban Watersheds Workshop on March 27 had proven very informative and had provided an opportunity to exchange ideas regarding the protection of our wetlands.

1. Western Island Pond/Forest Landing

Rodolphe and Evan visited Forest landing Phase 1 with Jim Cantwell. There is evidence of recent tree- cutting activity in the buffer zone.

Ralph was updated on what has transpired in the last few weeks and TETC’s plans regarding the proposed rezoning amendment. Prior to the next Council meeting when it is expected the commissioner’s report will be tabled and voted on, TETC members plan to approach councillors and reiterate our concerns. Madeleine has approached the Nature Conservancy to explore the possibility of partnerships and to get a feel for their current priorities.

1. Dominion Hill

The proposal has not yet been released by the province.

1. Trail Mapping Project

Rodolphe needs comments on the second draft of the trail map package as soon as possible. Copies of the draft will be sent to members of the sub-committee that worked on the project last summer.

Madeleine will ask Ed Delaney of the ECTA for a copy of the legal precedent regarding rights-of-way that he referred to in his presentation last month.

1. Farmers’ Market

Last fall’s farmers’ market in Torbay was very successful and the demand appears to be there. There will be a regular outdoor farmers’ market in St. John’s beginning in June. We hope that a

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farmers’ market is something our town would be interested in taking on. We will email our membership to see if one of our members would be interested in working with the town to coordinate this in the future. We will Tina at the town office to determine if she would have a look at this.

1. Promotion of our Monthly Hikes

The next hike will be from Flatrock to Torbay via the Father Troy Trail. Everyone interested should be at the town hall by 1pm on Sunday, May 4. We will car pool if necessary and meet at Helen’s afterward for a mug-up. We will ask the town to put a notice on the town sign.

There is concern with the state of the steps at Tapper’s Cove. Hopefully, the town will fix them soon. The hemlock at Madeleine’s place has been picked up by the town so they now have the necessary material to do the repair work.

1. Neighbourhood Clean-Up

This year’s neighbourhood clean-up will again be organized and coordinated by the town.

1. Budget Matters

Marc Poirier will be going ahead with the preparation of the trail plan for the high school as per original estimate.

We have not yet received official confirmation of our 2008 budget. Ralph will check with Dawn.

1. Gully Gazebo

Some repair and maintenance are required at the Gazebo site. Ralph will contact Ron.

It is now official that the new elementary school will be going on the same site and a floor plan has been prepared.

1. Tidy Town

The town is going to participate in this year’s Tidy Towns competition. Dawn and Tina will be coordinating this and plan to put together a committee.

1. Newsletter

We should try to have some material/ideas for the next newsletter ready for discussion at our May meeting. Ideally, we should try to sort out our telephone/email addresses with the town before then so they can be included in the newsletter.

1. Bus/Carpooling Survey

There does not appear to have been any recent follow-up to the bus survey done last year. Helen will talk to Dawn or Bob to explore potential subsidies for either a bus service or a carpooling computer program.

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1. Recycling

Atlantic Blue Recycling offers a twice-monthly pick-up of recyclables (including food containers) for a cost of $16/month plus HST.

1. Division of Responsibilities

Given the amount of time that members have had to devote to certain issues of late like Forest Landing, Helen suggested it was time we look at dividing up responsibilities for various activities rather than having the full committee involved in all activities. In this way, members can be connected to activities that more closely reflect their areas of interest thereby ensuring that available volunteer time is spread around. Myra and Ralph for example are heading up the rock garden project.

1. Date of Next Meeting and Adjournment

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 28 at 8pm at the Kinsmen Centre.