MINUTES
TORBAY ENVIRONMENT & TRAILS COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, August 25, 8:30pm, Kinsmen Centre
Present: Shirley Thorne Peggy Manning
Madeleine Florent Kay Codner
Harvey Best Marian Crowley
Agenda approved with the addition of the ECTA Tely Hike
The minutes were approved.
Regarding the ATV problem, Shirley received a copy of the draft letter being sent by SAM to the provincial Minister responsible and comments have been forwarded back to SAM. We still have to do a letter to the Joint Council.
The outdoor classroom at HTES is completed and we now need to encourage all residents to visit it. We will place a notice in our next newsletter and on the TETC and Gully Project web sites. We will inquire about putting a notice in the town's next newsletter and on the town sign. Because it has so far been referred to as a classroom, many residents are under the impression it is for school use only. We should instead refer to it as the 'Gully Gazebo' or 'observation deck'.
Jack Byrne has interceded on our behalf with the Avalon School Board regarding the costs of the fence along the Lynch property. In the meantime, we are satisfied with the quote from Apex. Shirley will contact Mrs. Lynch to confirm the erection of the fencing so we can move ahead. We will write to the Board to confirm our intention to begin construction of the fence and the classroom.
Harvey reported that all of the data gathered this summer has been passed over to MUN and entered on the data bank. Harvey will be meeting with Dr. Simms to plan where we go from here. MUN will design the trail brochure and provide a CD-Rom which will contain the travel guide and show off the extent of the data bank. We will be able to post this on the web site. When all the material is complete, we will need to discuss when and how we will launch the new guide. The guide will feature a complete trail loop around the town.
Harvey mentioned that the old Jones Pond Road now ends at a private driveway and this needs
to be sorted out. We need to promote the principle that old trails that disappear because of development must be replaced with new ones.
Another successful Awards night was held prior to the meeting. Names of winners will be posted in our next newsletter and on our web site.
In preparation for the Pat McGrath Walk scheduled for September 18, Harvey, Shirley and Bob will be meeting at the town hall tomorrow and then walking the Father Troy Trail to assess its condition and what upgrades are required. A notice about the walk should be placed on the TETC web site.
Mike reported that water levels at North Pond are 37" below normal, well below the levels at this time last year. The outdoor water use ban is still in force.
The Committee expressed serious concerns regarding the proposed development on Patrick's Path which encroaches on the conservation area around Withrod Pond. As a Committee, we are concerned about the fast disappearance of our green space especially in housing developments. We would like to see the 10% green space maintained in all developments rather than money in lieu. Also, putting building lots in a conservation area creates a worrying precedent and, given our experience with Forest Landing, we know it is extremely difficult to enforce buffer zones even when they are written as covenants in the property deeds. In the case of the Patrick's Path development, where the lots are small, the conservation zone represents a large percentage of the waterfront lots and it is difficult to expect that these areas would not be developed or changed in some way. Given the Habitat Management Plan, we are disappointed that neither our Committee nor EHJV were made aware of this development since it affects the stewardship zone of our town. Shirley and Harvey will draft a letter to Council making them aware of our concerns and our strong desire that there should be no development in conservation areas.
With both the municipal elections and the revisions to our Municipal Plan coming up next year, it is timely that we begin discussion in our community about what kind of town we want to see in the future and how we can reach a balance between development and maintaining our green spaces and our rural character. We will look at this in a couple of months and decide how to begin a dialogue on this, ie, letter to Council, community meeting, etc.
On a separate matter, Shirley reported that a gazebo built of pressure-treated wood had been constructed right over Withrod Pond. She will bring it to Bob Codner's attention.
9.1 Hazardous Household Waste Day
We are awaiting a report from Island Waste on our first and very successful HHWD - 150 cars came through and delivered waste.
9.2 Vehicle Emission Clinic
This event was also very successful, with 81 vehicles going through, which represents one of the best turn-outs per capita in the country for such an event. We will be getting a report from Environment Canada.
9.3 Forest Landing
Harvey reported that all concerns had been addressed following the site visit and most issues resolved. We still have concerns regarding the two ditches which have been dug to the pond from the two low-lying homes. However, this is being investigated to ensure only clear water is being pumped into the pond.
Madeleine will check again on the 'No Motorized Crafts' signs which the town is having made for the area.
The ECTA's Annual fundraising hike is taking place on Sunday, September 19. Madeleine will email members to see if there is interest in putting a team together for the hike. Registration is required. There are several hikes available depending on interest and ability. For further information, consult the ECTA web site: http://www.eastcoasttrail.com/donations/tely_hike.php
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 29 at 7:30pm at the Kinsmen Centre.
* Meeting will commence immediately following the Property Beautifications Awards Ceremony