MINUTES
TORBAY ENVIRONMENT & TRAILS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 26, 2002, Kinsmen Centre
Present: Shirley Thorne Peggy Manning
Madeleine Florent Harvey Best
Marian Crowley Michele DuRand
Bob Codner Ross Traverse
Sandy Sandeman Paul Snelgrove
Annette Stapenhorst
Three additions under Other Business.
Minutes approved as prepared.
3.1 Trail's End:
The development agreement is being signed tomorrow. Once approved by Government Services, building can begin and houses should be up by the fall. Harvey will contact Gary Mahon to set up a meeting with committee members (Shirley, Peggy, Ross, Harvey, Madeleine, if available) within the next week or so to discuss his perspective and get his feedback on the planned brochure. One concern is the dozer operator(s) as much of what is left standing depends on the ability of these operators.
3.2 TETC Terms of Reference:
Bob hopes to have an opportunity to give us some feedback on the draft before our next meeting.
3.3 Men's Washrooms in the Kinsmen Centre:
Bob reported that a plumber was coming in next week to look at a better system for the men's washrooms that would prevent the water from having to run all the time.
3.4 Neighbourhood Clean-up Plans:
The town has hired two students for an 8-week period to clean up the town during the summer
including unauthorized dumping sites around the community (e.g. Ryan's Road, Devonshire Pet Cemetary, etc). They will start on Tuesday next.
3.5 Literacy Program:
The school has applied to the federal government for funding to hire a coordinator for this project. The town will be making space available to carry out the program, which is aimed at pre-school children. The TETC provided a letter of support for this endeavour.
3.6 Hillside Festival Update:
We need to buy 30-40lbs of saltfish for the estimated 300 plates of fish and brewis we hope to sell at the festival but saltfish is not easy to find these days. Madeleine and Harvey will check on a couple of possibilities and anyone knowing where we might find saltfish, should contact Shirley or other committee member. Shirley has asked the Women's Institute for their help in preparing toutons. She will also check with Effie about having a booth during the dance on Saturday evening; Shirley, Harvey and Madeleine so far volunteered to man the booth during the dance. Publicity for the festival will begin soon.
The project is moving ahead and much has been accomplished to date: over 600 trees have been planted, several clean-ups held, 27 nesting boxes were constructed by the high school students, etc. Work is beginning on the web site, the brochure and the logo. An approach to Irving is planned to see if we can get their donation of a large street sign this year, and possibly more substantial support with the infrastructure next year. The Green Team begins work on July 5. The Backyard Habitat Workshop has unfortunately had to be delayed until the fall due to the unavailability of the facilitator. Much activity is planned during the summer months.
Harvey reported that the design of the project has had to change somewhat because of rules concerning 4th year university students. As a result, we have had to decline funding from HRDC and the provincial Department of Human Resources and Employment. Instead, we will share with the university the cost of a full-time student to work on the project and the university will cover the cost of a junior student. We will also share the costs of the maps. Overall, our cost will be $1500. Harvey has obtained a donation of $500 from Marathon Holdings. The steering committee will be meeting with the students next week.
6.1 2002 Property Beautification Awards:
There will be winners in 4 categories (1. New home/beginner garden; 2. Established home/garden; 3. Food gardens; 4. Best naturalized landscape). A scoring method will be used and the winner with the largest number of points will be declared the overall winner. The $500 tax rebate will be divided among the 5 categories. Previous winners will not be eligible to be nominated but will be recognized; Marian will give Michelle the names of past winners so they could be added to the web site. It was suggested that a tour of previous winning properties be arranged for a Saturday for interested residents.
The nomination deadline is July 12 and preliminary judging is planned for July 21. The awards night will take place on August 14. Advertising for the awards will be through the town sign, the web site, the Telegram's What's Up section and radio.
6.2 Pesticides:
Pesticides are a growing concern and the issue will need to be brought back for discussion at a future meeting. In the meantime, we will include on our web site links to relevant web sites of interest which provide information on pesticides and pesticides alternatives. There are precedents in Canada that have confirmed communities' authority to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides within their boundaries. We will need to get guidance from Council.
6.3 Jones Pond Letter:
The committee approved the letter drafted by Harvey concerning the proposed rezoning of a large piece of land adjacent to Jones Pond. The letter suggests a 50-metre buffer zone along the pond and stream in order to preserve the attractive environment around the pond.
6.4 Recycling Report:
Shirley picked up the first lot of recyclables from Bridie Molloys which netted $10 worth in one week. The Kinsmen Manor may be interested in donating their recyclables. Money earned from recycling goes to the Gully project and pick-up can be arranged for anyone contacting Ken at 437-7200 or any committee member.
6.5 SAM Video:
Volunteers are needed to work on a proposal for funding for a video on the Stewardship Association of Municipalities and its work in the province. Anyone interested should contact a committee member. "My Dog Productions" of Torbay has expressed an interest in producing this.
6.6 Father Troy Trail Map:
We will make copies of the web site map at the town office and distribute to local stores and businesses.
The south side section of the trail is in rough shape and considerable ATV damage is evident. Paul will contact Tom Boland to check on the status of the ECTA's funding application and determine when they might be ready to work on the trail section north of St. John's. Depending on the ECTA's plans, we may approach the town for some help in making needed improvements to this section of our trail.
6.7 Town Lighting:
This item concerns the replacement of current street lights with more efficient lights which save energy and provide better ground lighting. Discussions will need to take place with Newfoundland Light and Power. The item was defered for future discussion.
6.8 Community Hikes:
The full moon hike will take place on Friday, August 23, beginning at 8pm at the beach. More details will follow. (NB members please note the change in date since our meeting)
6.9 Anstey Property:
Some concerns have been raised with this development as well as fear that fish in the stream might have been placed at risk. Ken is checking with DFO in an effort to minimize any damage that might have been done.
6.10 TETC Internet Access:
Our one-year free Internet access is now over. As a VolNet subscriber, we will pay NewTel a special low rate of $11.95 per month for access starting in July.
6.11 Torbay Newfoundland Pony Project:
Annette explained that their one-year proposal to HRDC has 4 main goals: organizational development, preparation of a business plan, hiring of a coordinator and development of the 4H Club. While the committee can, in principle, provide moral support for any activity that enhances our community, the TETC has no resources or expertise it can provide to this project. Annette will send Madeleine a copy of their proposal so it can be emailed to committee members for their review and a response provided to Annette before the next meeting.
None to report.
8.1 Water Conservation:
The town is monitoring water levels at North Pond. At their meeting last night, Council agreed to place a conservation message on the town sign. If there is no change is water utilization in the next couple of weeks and water levels continue to drop, Council will consider introducing water conservation measures similar to St. John's.
8.2 National Symposium on Parks and Grounds, October 2-4, Kelowna:
Invitation declined.
8.3 Hazardous Waste Materials:
Bob indicated that several towns were holding hazardous waste days and that council would consider paying for one here if the TETC were interested in looking into it. A reminder that the drug store will accept old and obsolete drugs for disposal.
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 28, at 8:15pm at the Kinsmen Centre.
The meeting adjourned at 10:30pm.