Present: Shirley Thorne, Madeleine Florent, Mike Wawrzkow, Sandy Sandeman, Marion Crowley, Bob Codner, Gerard Dunphy, Michele DuRand, Peggy Manning, Kay Codner, Ken Hannaford, Bob Schmiedendorf, Carmen Fillier

1. Introductions and Consideration of Agenda:

Introductions were made. Ken Hannaford, the new coordinator for the Gully project, and Carmen Fillier, school representative on the Gully Project Steering Committee, were welcomed. The agenda was approved with the addition of Global Awareness Day under Other Business.

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

3. Business Arising from the Minutes:

The letter formally recording the committee’s concerns about the development was sent to the mayor. Bob Codner commented that the developer had been made fully aware of the terms and conditions under which he is to operate and that the developer is responsible for ensuring that the necessary protections for the wetland are included as part of the deeds. Bob offered to provide Mike W. with a copy of the agreement which the town will enter into with the developer for review.

Minister Kevin Aylward and Mayor Bob Codner officially signed the Plan in a ceremony held at the Town Hall on February 7. The Habitat Management Plan is now in effect. A copy will be added to our web site. Bob S. will send Michele a photograph of the ceremony for the site.

The Town newsletter was sent to the printer last Friday and will be mailed soon. It contains several items of TETC business. The town plans to send out their newsletters on a quarterly basis. We are still planning to investigate the possibility of pairing our TETC newsletters with the Heritage Committee’s if they are interested. This will be raised at the next Heritage Committee meeting.

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Madeleine still has not had an opportunity to meet with Bob C. to discuss Council’s comments and suggestions on this document. As soon as the document has been finalized, it will be submitted to Council for final approval.

The revised letter, incorporating the changes suggested at the last meeting, was forwarded to Bob C. According to Bob, the ATV problem is one of the first issues which Sergeant Tony Grace of the local RNC detachment plans to address. The question was raised as to whether we could step up enforcement through the use of a private enforcement firm like the Town of Paradise has done, or through the use of our enforcement officer or other appropriate officers.

Shirley briefly reported on the outcome of this well-attended meeting. The consensus so far is that the name of the route will be "Marine Drive" and the preferred logo is the killick.

Peggy Roche has requested that all comments on the draft by-law be submitted to her before the next Council meeting. Madeleine asked that members submit their comments to her by Friday so she could coordinate the reply to Peggy by the deadline.

4. New Business:

4.1 Gully Project Steering Committee Report:

Ken spoke of his first three weeks on the job. He has met with a number of our project partners including Ralph Jarvis, Doug Ballam, Deneen Cull, and Darren Feltham. Arrangements are being made to put in place the necessary equipment to monitor water flows. An application to Shell Canada has been prepared and he will speak to Carmen Fillier about working with the school on an application to Shell Canada under their school green-up fund. Another funding avenue to be explored is Mountain Equipment Coop.

Ken is exploring the concept of eco-gifts whereby individuals/businesses can donate land in return for a tax receipts, similar to the mechanism used by the Nature Conservancy. This raised the suggestion that we explore what contribution of land the Episcopal Corporation might be interested in looking at as they own a large segment of land right in the Gully. Shirley and Marion will approach Father Butler and set up a meeting which would also include Bob C., Ken and Doug Ballam.

Everyone had an opportunity to visit Ken’s new office downstairs at the Kinsmen Centre. The Committee acknowledged the support already provided by the town toward the project. A telephone remains to be installed and a computer has yet to be purchased.

The recycling effort is going slowly and we will look at possibly having recycling bins at the

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town yard. Cash donations, or donations of furniture, office supplies, etc, are welcomed. Thank you to Peggy Manning who donated a lovely desk lamp. Madeleine is still looking for photographs of the Gully area.

4.2 Hillside Festival Update/Dance on March 2:

The festival organizing committee is holding a dance on Saturday to raise funds for the Hillside Festival planned for July 28 at the Kinsmen Centre grounds. There will be lots of prizes. Everyone is encouraged to attend the dance (Cost: $5 each) and support the festival. Our committee will have a booth at the festival.

As part of Torbay Snow Days, there will be a fishing derby on Sunday afternoon on Withrod Pond.

4.3 Presentation to Newfoundland Power:

Madeleine has been invited to speak to a workshop for Newfoundland Power regional environmental coordinators on Thursday, March 6 about our project and our volunteer efforts. Newfoundland Power will be making a donation to the project as a result and will consider helping out with the cost of printing our project brochure when the time comes.

4.4 Next Heritage Committee Meeting:

The next meeting of the Heritage Committee will take place on Wednesday, March 6, at 7:30pm at Liddy’s (upstairs). Either Shirley or Madeleine will attend to represent the TETC.

4.5 Future Hikes:

The hike to Moon Pond Ridge had to be canceled due to weather conditions. In view of the uncertain nature of the weather at this time of year, it was agreed we would wait until April or May before planning our next hikes.

4.6 Stewardship Expenditures:

Torbay was one of the first towns to become part of the Stewardship Association of Municipalities. The town estimates that, to date, over $46,500 has been spent on stewardship-related activities since the agreement was signed in 1997. Total income generated from stewardship activities to date is over $60,000, most of which is related to the Gully project. The figures may rise as we move through the project.

The date of the next SAM meeting, which is being hosted by Torbay, is not yet known but we should know by the end of March.

5. Other Meetings Attended by Committee Members in February:

Shirley and Madeleine made a powerpoint presentation to Council on February 4. Madeleine attended the February 18 meeting. Council meetings now start at 7:30pm.

Marion Crowley will be attending the March 4 Council meeting.

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6. Election of Officers:

The new executive of the TETC was elected as follows:

Chair: Shirley Thorne

Vice-Chair: Peggy Manning

Treasurer: Mike Wawrzkow

Secretary: Madeleine Florent

7. Other Business:

7.1 Global Awareness Day:

Bob S. advised he had been contacted by Holy Trinity High School to participate in their Global Awareness Day activities on March 21. The school is scheduling speakers in the areas of wetland/conservation, historical background and political perspectives. It was agreed we should partner with EHJV on a presentation as this is particularly timely for our project. It will be a good way to publicize our project and the Green Team jobs we hope will be available for 4 students. It could also provide an opportunity to conduct our attitude survey. Madeleine and Ken will meet with EHJV next week to work on the presentation. Bob S. will confirm our attendance with the school.

Bob S. said EHJV was also planning to have a booth at the Village Mall during National Wildlife Week and our committee is welcome to make a contribution.

8. Date of the Next Meeting and Adjournment:

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 27, at 8:15pm at the Kinsmen Centre.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40pm.

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