2. Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The minutes were approved. It was agreed that the minutes of our meetings should not be posted to the web site until they have been approved by the committee at the following meeting.

3. Business Arising from the Minutes:

3.1 Letter to the Town Council re Trail’s End:

No further changes were noted to the draft prepared by Harvey. Madeleine will prepare the letter for Shirley’s signature within the next week or so. Although Bob Codner is aware of our concerns, it was agreed that it was important to send the letter anyway so that our concerns are on record.

3.2 Habitat Management Plan Status:

The Plan has been finalized and Bob Schmiedendorf is arranging a signing ceremony at the town hall with the Minister.

3.3 Reaction to TETC Newsletter/Next Town Newsletter:

Shirley and Carol Ann each had a phone call from individuals looking for information about the Gully project. Overall, there has been no negative reaction.

The Town’s next newsletter, scheduled for release at the end of February, will be shorter than the last and there will be limited space for news from committees. We will send a brief contribution but Shirley will contact Lara Maynard and explore the possibility of partnering with the Heritage Committee on future newsletters. This would save money for both committees and may allow more frequent issues. Our newsletters are also included on the web site.

3.4 TETC’s Terms of Reference:

The document has been approved by Council with a few minor changes. Shirley and Madeleine will review the document with Bob Codner. Once finalized, copies will be emailed to everyone. The terms of reference will also be posted to our web site.

It is our hope that in future Council will view our committee as a useful source of expertise to which it canl refer, as a matter of course, issues that deal with the environment and trails. The committee has already been asked to comment on the proposed new nuisance and noise by-law. We also hope that Council will consider inviting a representative of our committee to meetings which impact on the environment, such as meetings to discuss potential pollution problems which could affect wetlands.

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3.5 ATV Issue Letter:

Madeleine will contact Gerard to see if revisions have been made to the draft letter. Once finalized, Madeleine will prepare the letter to Council for Shirley’s signature.

3.6 TETC Budget Approval:

Council has approved a $3,000 budget for the committee in 2002, down from the $4580 we submitted. The town will continue to hold the funds on our behalf as in the past but we will be responsible for deciding on how it will be spent. We will rework our budget to take this reduction into account and review at the next meeting. We can reduce the amount budgeted for the newsletters if we combine with the Heritage Committee. The amount budgeted for computers can be reduced because of the special rate available to VolNet groups after the free year access. We will review our budget regularly to make sure we stay on track, especially as we near the end of the year.

Harvey offered to look into the possibility of obtaining a co-op student for the summer. He will follow up when he returns from his vacation at the end of March.

4. New Business:

Shirley and Madeleine have signed the contribution agreement and the effective date of the project is January 7, 2002. Since we will not have a coordinator on staff for a while, we can extend the end date of the project. A revised budget and workplan must now be prepared. It looks like the coordinator will be housed in the Kin Centre as there is no room at the Town Hall. The advantage of the Kin Centre is that there will be room there for the Green Team during the summer. There is some concern about security if other groups use the space. We could perhaps look at alternatives with Bob Codner.

It was agreed we should issue a news release. Carol Ann suggested a two-stage release, the first to announce the project and the second to announce the appointment of the coordinator. Madeleine will discuss with Bob C.

The Steering Committee is presenting to Council at their February 4 meeting. Madeleine asked if anyone has access to powerpoint equipment. Rental rate is $300-400/day. Madeleine is still looking for old photographs of the Gully which could be added to the presentation.

Interviews for the coordinator position are taking place on January 31. With respect to the bookkeeper position, we are looking for names of qualified individuals who might be interested in this part-time position. Knowledge of accounting software is necessary.

Ralph Jarvis will start work on our project logo and is looking for ideas on what we want represented. Suggestions are ducks, cattails, water lilies, seniors/children, school, the "future". It was agreed that we would look to the schools to come up with some draft logos which Ralph could then work with and adapt. We could publicize this and have a prize (money or recognition?) for the winner. Madeleine will contact Wayne and Darla to see if they can take this on.

By popular request, we are planning a hike to Moon Pond Ridge on Sunday, February 24, weather permitting of course. As skidoos have been very busy, we do not expect to need snowshoes/skis. We will meet at Foodland at 11:30am. If it is too windy, we will look at an alternative location, such as a loop

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walk in the back-country starting at Great Pond.

Madeleine has photographs of the walk to the Beamer which she will give to Michele for the web site.

Peggy Manning agreed to form a sub-committee to prepare for this year’s awards and to look at the possibility of a community recognition program for well-kept properties. Marion Crowley and Kay Codner will be asked to sit on the committee.

Everyone agreed it was a good idea to aim for a meeting time of 1.5 hours maximum whenever possible, keeping in mind that this is not cast in stone.

Deputy Mayor Peggy Roche is the lead on this meeting and invites everyone with an interest in tourism to attend and bring their ideas. A consultant has been hired to conduct the meeting. Overall, we feel that our region already has quite a lot to offer tourists and that there are many areas that could be explored and /or promoted. Shirley, Madeleine, Annette, Sandy and Ross are planning to attend and possibly others. Some of the ideas we can put forward at the meeting:

• Father Troy Trail
• community hikes
• the Gully wetlands
• trail map for Torbay and possibly a trail map for the whole region
• signage for trails and areas of interest
• trail appropriate for horses, skidoos and ATVs
• possibility of partnering with the Newfoundland Equestrian Association
• crosswalk signage for hikers at major road crossings
• birdwatching (eagles, ospreys, etc)
• special map for the Northeast Avalon with historical facts
• tourism display at the airport

The old Swilers Festival has been resurrected and renamed the Hillside Festival. The committee decided to have a booth at the event which we could use to raise funds and to display information about our activities.

We will sell fish and brewis and consider also selling buttons, t-shirts, having a raffle, etc. Ross agreed to be the chef and to dress up in "traditional garb". Shirley will discuss with Bob C.

The election of officers will take place at the February meeting.

5. Other Meetings Attended by Committee Members in December/January:

Sandy reported on the Heritage Committee meeting which he attended in December. They are working on developing terms of reference. Sandy is interested in attending future meetings so Shirley will notify him whenever meetings are scheduled.

Madeleine and/or Mike attended most Council meetings in December/January.

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6. Other Business:

6.1 Water Sub-Committee:

With water issues becoming current again (i.e. new dam at North Pond, bringing South Pond on stream, etc), Mike suggested we might want to resurrect the water sub-committee. He will contact Philip Menchions.

6.2 Nuisance and Noise By-Law - Draft:

Peggy Roche has prepared a draft noise by-law and is looking for input/comments from our committee. Mike, Sandy, Annette, Ross, Shirley will review and send their comments to Madeleine who will coordinate the response to Peggy.

6.3 RNC Office in the Town Hall:

Madeleine met Tony Grace, the RNC officer assigned full time to the Northeast Avalon and located in newly-renovated offices downstairs in the town hall. The RNC have plans to tackle ATV/skidoo abuse in the region in accordance with their policy of zero tolerance. Charges were laid last week against skidooers in the North Pond area. The RNC office is open during the week. Constable Grace agreed to attend one of our meeting and speak to our committee on issues of mutual interest.

6.4 Stewardship Association of Municipalities:

Madeleine reminded everyone that Torbay will be hosting the next SAM meeting to be held this spring. It is very timely that we are having this meeting here this year as Torbay hosted the very first meeting of SAM years ago and we now have a lot to show for our involvement in stewardship, i.e. a new Municipal Plan which incorporates stewardship, a Habitat Management Plan and the Gully project. The town will be hosting the opening reception.

6.5 Torbay "Welcome Wagon":

The Mayor sends an information letter to new residents to introduce them to our town and services available. Madeleine suggested we put together a brochure on our committee which could be included as part of this package. Madeleine will speak to Michele to see if she could put this together with the information already on the web.

7. Date of the Next Meeting and Adjournment:

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 27, at 8:15pm at the Kinsmen Centre. Shirley mentioned she would miss the March meeting as she would be away on holidays.

The meeting adjourned at 10pm.

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