MINUTES

1. Introductions and Review of Agenda

The agenda was approved with the addition of ‘Correspondence’ under Administrative Matters.

1. Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting (November 24)

The minutes of the last meeting were approved. Madeleine confirmed that our membership in the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Network has been renewed and our new membership card has been received.

1. Gully Project Update

The Final Report of Phase 2 has been accepted by EcoAction and all remaining funds have been received. Copies of the report are available for review. Mike will forward a copy to Jack Byrne with our compliments. A copy was presented to Norm Doyle during our meeting with him early in January. Mr. Doyle has agreed to make representations to Irving Oil on our behalf and has offered to provide a framed print for our next auction.

It is becoming clear that incorporation and charitable status for the Gully project would provide many benefits and steps are being taken to look into this.

Volunteers will be needed over the next few weeks to help with the maintenance of the nesting boxes; this activity must be completed before spring thaw as many boxes are in inaccessible boggy areas. Madeleine will send an email to everyone asking for volunteers, including those who originally installed the boxes two winters ago, and a message will be included in our next newsletter. We are also gearing up for our upcoming activities including our two workshops at Traverse Gardens in early March and our Open House tentatively scheduled for April 17. This year’s Open House promises to be bigger than ever.

School participation continues to be very strong. Students at HTHS recently held a ball hockey tournament and raised $250 for the project. For the second year in a row, the Artsmart program at HTES will focus on the Gully and its wildlife. Over 500 students receive wetland education this fall and visited the Gully.

With regards to the second classroom to be situated at HTHS, we need to get all adjacent landowners on side before proceeding. We will be sending out a letter to landowners updating

them on the project and specifically on actions that have been taken since September to remedy the concerns that arose last summer. We are planning to make application to ACOA or other

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funding source for the monies needed to prepare a comprehensive concept and operations plan of what we envision for the Gully. This would be a detailed plan outlining possible boardwalk locations, materials and cost breakdown and the type of interpretation centre we should be aiming for. We need a visual depiction of what the area would look like before we can present it to landowners and to the community as a whole.

1. Mapping of Trails Project Update

Harvey and Corrie recently met with Dr. Simms at MUN to discuss where we go from here. Ideally the town would take over the data bank and have it available for planning purposes. Harvey estimates the cost of taking it over would be about $5,000 and possible sources of funding, like the Green Municipal Fund, are being looked at. The town could hire a student every summer to do the updates. A student will be needed this summer to do the final mapping of the circular trail around the town. A lot more work would also be needed to produce a virtual tour of the town. Harvey is having a follow-up meeting with Corrie tomorrow. Corrie will be reporting to Council on the status of this project.

Harvey pointed out that, for a financial investment of about $3,000 for summer students for this project, our town has received an amazing $70,000 worth of work from MUN, an incredible bargain. As it stands right now, we could easily produce a brochure; all we need to do is design it and get the funding to print it.

Since Harvey will be away much of the next few months, we are looking for someone who could take over the coordination of the trail mapping project. The next steps in the process will be to:

(1) organize a meeting of the sub-committee to decide on the details for the brochure;

(2) brief the Town Council and obtain their agreements for the next steps; and

(3) hold a public session for trail users

1. Torbay’s Community Challenge

The budget for our One-Tonne Challenge project, called ‘Torbay’s Community Challenge’, has been confirmed at $100,000. The project will end on March 31, 2006. Krista will officially transfer to this project in early February and we will be searching for someone to take over the duties of the Gully Project and to prepare a plan for the next phase. A meeting was held with Blueline Innovations and everything is set to go. Blueline has hired Bristol Communications to help with publicity and they hope to get national exposure.

The monies available through the project will allow us to do some web page upgrades and hopefully get a Green Team for the coming summer season.

1. 2005 Come Home Year Celebrations

The TETC BBQ at the Gully Gazebo to mark the Come Home Year Celebrations was

unfortunately left off the list of events recently mailed to all residents. Madeleine will contact the town to make sure it is included in the next one. Shirley will check to see if the Gallow’s

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Cove Band would be interested in performing during the BBQ. After some discussion, it was decided that our committee will produce a 16-month calendar of Torbay which will be available for sale during the celebrations. (Anyone with super shots of our town should contact Madeleine).

1. NLEN Public Forum on Waste Management

While this is a forum we will want to take part in, we have no one available to help with planning of the event at this time.

1. Update on Development Issues

With respect to the Jones Pond development, the town is still aiming to protect a 50-metre buffer zone around the pond. Also, there will be an alternate trail in the area to replace the existing one and access to the pond will be provided.

Madeleine reported that the town has confirmed that there is public access to the old Jones trail on the Marine Drive side and a letter has been sent to the adjacent landowner.

1. Proposed Public Meeting

It was decided that we would not try to organize a public meeting regarding the pace of development in Torbay . Residents who are concerned with the urbanization of our town and the loss of our green spaces should plan on participating in the upcoming 10-year review of the town plan. Details about the review will be announced publicly by the town.

1. Administrative Matters:

10.1 2005 Budget

The town has confirmed a budget of $4,000 for the TETC in 2005 and $5,000 for the Gully Project.

10.2 Election of Officers

The election of officers is scheduled for next month. For the long-term, our committee really needs to develop a strategy for increasing its membership.

10.3 Incorporation and Charitable Status

Since the TETC is a committee of Council and plays an advocacy role, we will be seeking incorporation and charitable status for the Gully Project, and not the TETC as a whole.

10.4 SAM Correspondence

Shirley has received correspondence from SAM requesting total expenditures in our town for stewardship-related activities for the period 2002-2004.