TETC – minutes of a meeting held on July 30, 2008 at 16, Brown’s Lane,

Torbay

Present: Ross Traverse, Ralph Tapper, Terry Sandford, Sylvia Warkentin, Madeleine Florent, Helen Spencer

Apologies, Shirley Thorne, Rodolphe Devillers, Melanie Thorne, Geoff Gallant

Haunted Hike

To be held on Thursday August 14 (close to a full moon). Start at ‘Dominion Hill’ or nearby. Route to follow Father Troy Trail to Tapper’s Cove, but may be modified if the steps to Tapper’s Cove are not repaired by then (see end note). Volunteers are needed to read ghost stories, lead the hike and make lanterns. Ralph has the stories and will have copies made. He will also pick up lanterns from Madeleine’s home. Baby food or other small jars are needed for lanterns. A meeting will be held on Sunday August 10 at Sylvia’s home – 35 Byrne’s Lane – to make lanterns and allocate ghostly jobs (questions – email Sylvia at sylvia@docwarkinton.ca.) Ralph will contact summer students who are working for council and Helen will contact Justin Dunphy (past ghostly reader) to see if they would like to participate.

Tidy Towns

The tidy towns judging will take place on Thursday August 7. There will be presentations to the winners of the property beautification awards at 5.30 pm at the Kinsmen Centre. Ralph reported that as part of the tidying-up process council is having unauthorized signs on Torbay Road removed.

Torbay Master Recreation Plan

Ralph reported that Council is looking into hiring a consultant firm to make a ‘master recreation plan’. If hired this consultant company will interview committees and individuals and then make recommendations on recreation, green space usage, trails, crown lands, conservation areas etc. One potential area for development of recreation space is near the gully, between the two schools. Discussion on this included concerns about access to lands beyond the new by-pass road, inclusion of the trail mapping project, potential for considering any area of beauty that makes Torbay special and developing recreational activities such as cross-country skiing. TETC needs to give this much prior thought in order to give best input.

Nature Conservancy of Canada

Ralph is hoping Doug Ballam of NCC will give a presentation before the Council meeting on August 11. Doug also knows about the government ‘eco-gift’ program where one can get a tax receipt for donating or giving an easement on ecologically significant land. Ralph feels TETC should form a sub-committee to educate residents on this subject which may be of particular interest to people who own land zoned conservation and are frustrated over not being able to develop it.

Forest Landing/Western Island Pond

There was discussion over drafted letters concerning the wetland buffer zone at Western Island Pond. The letters were read aloud and discussion followed over who would sign. It was decided that TETC executive and other concerned residents who have been closely involved in trying to have the buffer area zoned conservation, would be invited to sign and the letters sent a.s.a.p. with copies to Dawn.

Jonathan Sharpe of Eastern Habitat Joint Venture and Helen have responded to a letter outlining the wording that Brian Winters has suggested goes in a development agreement for phase 6. It was agreed that there needs to be follow-up work on this to strengthen the wording that will protect the wetland, in particular to include consequences of altering the habitat in any way.

Community Hike

Sylvia has offered to co-lead Sunday’s hike – hopefully with Evan Edinger. She suggests hiking trails between Byrne’s Lane and Camp Carey Road. Helen will send out emails and try to get a notice on the town sign.

Summer Newsletter

Busy personal schedules have meant this has been on hold and will remain so until TETC executive return from holidays. We will try to schedule some community activities for the fall.

Trails

Terry wondered if any progress has been made towards re-opening the blocked off part of the trail (traditional right-of-way) to Jones Pond. His recent attempt to use the trail failed. There was discussion over keeping other trails (traditional rights of way) open and used. Interest seems to be growing towards a group dedicated towards this activity.

East Coast Trails Association is soon starting work on the Flatrock to Torbay section of the path. Using lumber donated by TETC/council, their staff will renovate the steps at Tapper’s Cove and alter the final destination of the steps on the south side, the bottom of which has become seriously eroded by the ocean. Meanwhile Council has erected a sign alerting users to the dangerous condition of the steps.

Mention was made of using ‘google earth’ to find trails in Torbay and a reminder made that draft trail maps were available on the old town website. A new town website should be up any day now.

Meeting ended at 9.45pm. Minutes were taken by Helen.