Minutes of TETC meeting June 2, 2009 Kinsmen Centre

 

Present: Shirley Thorne, Madeleine Florent, Sylvia Warkentin, Geoff Gallant, Myra Maynard, Terry Sanford, Helen Spencer

 

Minutes of last meeting – to be forwarded later

 

  1. Torbay Beautification Award, 2009

Myra would like to add one more category “the Small Space Garden” to the category list. It was agreed to do this with no formal constraints as to what constitutes ‘a small space’, but rather to leave it open to interpretation. Everyone is asked to be more pro-active in nominating individuals because sometimes there aren’t many entries.

 

  1. Rock Garden

Heather and other shrubs have lately been planted. More will be planted later in June. Ideas are welcome. It was suggested that Dr Wilf. Nichols of MUN Botanical Garden should be invited to visit the rock garden and make suggestions.

 

  1. Tidy Towns Competition

The first meeting has been held and the categories were reviewed. There has been discussion about a clean-up, but otherwise no real progress yet.

 

  1. North East Avalon Regional (NEAR) Plan Meeting

Terry attended this. He reported that the meeting was broken into small discussion groups. Terry had a written list of ideas from TETC which he presented to the organizers. An online survey of residents is now available. All TETC members are encouraged to contribute to this.

 

  1. Hikes

The hikes continue with mixed attendance, but always fun. Geoff will lead the hike this Sunday (June 7).

 

  1. Western Island Pond River

Madeleine reports that the river has algal growth in it like never before. She is concerned it may be due to excess fertilizer or sewage in the river. She has reported the problem to Terry Fleet. There was some discussion as to possible causes including the above, but also the warmer than usual weather and possibly less shade if trees have been removed. There was discussion over the need to hold some sort of public education about the wetland stewardship program and on water pollution in general. There was discussion about putting some educational pieces in the next newsletter about how to prevent from inadvertently polluting water and how to enhance water quality or diversity of plants and animals.

 

 

 

 

  1. Torbay Beach Closed

The sewage macerator broke, followed by the sewage pipe. As a result there is too much pollution on the beach to make it safe, so the beach is closed until the whole thing can be repaired. No-one was sure what is currently being done.

 

  1. Torbay Bypass.

Steady progress is being made. Apparently the hundreds of tadpoles have been relocated in the area near Frog Pond Road.

 

  1. 2009 Hillside Festival

Geoff received no emails in response to the request for help with the Hill Side festival. Since the rest of the committee feel too busy to donate their time it was decided not to have a TETC booth at the festival this year.

 

  1. Dominium Hill

The group “Save Our Shores, have 1,600 signatures on their petition to stop the proposed rezoning of a piece of land by the coast and adjacent to the Father Troy Trail. 1,000 of these signatures are from Torbay residents. The petition has been presented to Council. The group has met with The Minister of Municipal Affairs Diane Whalen and the deputy and Assistant Deputy Ministers. The group was well received and the Minister appeared not to be have been previously aware of the issue. The onus is currently on the Town Council to arrange a public meeting on this subject.

 

  1. Jones Pond Trail

Nothing new to report

 

  1. SAM

Ralph and Geoff will be attending the SAM meeting in the Codroy Valley

 

  1. TETC summer Social

Shirley offered to host a BBQ for TETC members at her home on Sunday July 12. This will be preceded by a hike.

 

  1. June TETC Green Movie Night

7pm on Wednesday June 17, at 31 Birchy Nap Hill. R.S.V.P to Geoff Gallant.