MINUTES
Wednesday,
Present: Madeleine Florent Peggy Manning
Marian
Ross Traverse Harvey Best
Kay Codner Annette
Stapenhorst
Bob Codner
1. Introductions and Consideration of Agenda:
The agenda was approved with some addition under Other Business.
2. Minutes of the Last Meeting:
The minutes of the March 27 meeting were adopted with one correction to the list of attendees.
3. Business Arising from the Minutes:
3.1 Trail’s End Development Agreement:
Mike W. and Ken H. are reviewing the draft development agreement and will be making suggestions to Bob on changes/additions we feel should be incorporated. Madeleine will check with Mike on status of our feedback. Bob mentioned that an ad would be going in the paper seeking public input into the plan to rezone lots on IML which are within the development to Residential Large Lot from RSA.
Madeleine mentioned that there was a large rusted commercial oil tank downstream from Western Island Pond. She will be making inquiries to proper authorities on what to do about this. Also she will try to get the serial number of the car that has been dumped in the wetland on the south side of the pond.
3.2 Next TETC Newsletter:
The plan is to include the TETC newsletter as part of the next town newsletter which is currently scheduled for late May. Unfortunately, this will be after the spring clean-up. We will be able to have photos if we want and we should ensure that the font we use is the same as the town’s. The suggestion was made to form a small editorial committee with the town and other committees; Michele D. could be our member. This will be discussed further with the town.
3.3 Nuisance and Noise By-Law:
Peggy Roche has provided us with a copy of the final draft which is now being looked over by our legal advisors. At this point, the by-law does not include specifics on noise levels but this is being considered.
3.4
Bob reported that a meeting of the festival committee took place last night and plans were now firmly in hand. Cost of our booth will be $75. Madeleine will be contacting Karen Hawco of Newfoundland Power about the use of their tents.
3.5 Presentation
to
Newfoundland Power has made a donation of $50 towards the Gully project in appreciation for a presentation made to their environmental workshop by Madeleine.
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3.6 Global Awareness Day, March 21:
Ken and Bob Schmiedendorf gave a very well-received presentation about wetland stewardship and the Gully project to high school students on the occasion of Global Awareness Day. Ken spoke about the plans to get a Green Team for the summer and has already received expressions of interest from several students.
3.7 ATV Issue:
There has been a definite improvement in the ATV problem recently with everyone reporting less abuse and noise in their area. The RNC has been actively monitoring the situation and recently confiscated two machines.
There was some discussion about the possibility of our committee spearheading a group of ATV owners to deal with the issue and to look at the possible development of ATV-appropriate trails. Bob pointed out that he had talked to provincial officials and that there are really very few areas in our town where ATV could be legally and appropriately used. However, it was agreed that the first step would be to go to Council before moving on this issue to ensure that they are on side. However, even though the trail mapping project may provide information which could be used to identify appropriate trails and even if Council decides to support this idea, we will need to move very slowly and only if ATV owners are willing and interested to actively work on this issue themselves.
1. Gully Project Steering Committee Report:
Madeleine reported on progress with the project. Plans for
the official launching are moving ahead and the Steering Committee will be
meeting next week to finalize plans. Annette indicated the 4H Club would be
willing to give pony rides for the kids during the open house. The application
for a Green Team is ready for submission.
Peggy reported that there was some concern raised at the Recreation Committee meeting last night about the Gully project and whether preservation of the water supply for the wetland would be given priority over the provision of water to residents. Bob C. gave assurances that the goal was to take the necessary measures to protect the water supply for both the wetland environment and residents but that, in the event of limited supply problems, the provision of drinking water would come out on top.
While the “Gully” is the central focus of the project, the
whole watershed is being looked at since the whole watershed must be protected
from pollution, etc. Already, there is a
lot of area upstream that has been filled in and may be at risk of
erosion.
2. New Business:
5.1 2001 Census Figures:
5.2 Urban Municipalities Meeting, Clarenville:
Bob reported on information about the new waste management
system for the province. The plan is to reduce the number of dumps between
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two separate sites for garbage, one for wet garbage and one for dry, and each household will have to bag their waste appropriately. Households will also be encouraged to recycle and compost.
5.3
The plans looks at 4 possible disasters: fire, plane crash, flood and dangerous goods spill. The TETC is looking at the draft plan and will be providing comments.
It was suggested that one important thing to keep in mind is the lack of a by-pass road. If there were to be a spill/disaster somewhere around Foodland for example, the north side of the town would effectively be cut off from easy and quick access.
5.4 Property Beautification/Recognition Awards:
Peggy M, Marian C and Kay C are looking at the program with
a view to determining whether changes are needed. In view of the high energy
costs of building gardens, we might want to take a second look at the current
criteria. Ross for example recently attended a conference on promoting more
environmentally-friendly landscaping and the use of lower energy modes of
beautifying properties. The use of pesticides
is also a big issue. We might also want
to look at the program started in
In the meantime, it was suggested that the TETC sponsor a workshop, possibly during the Backyard Habitat Workshop planned for May, on environmentally-friendly landscaping.
5.5 Tidy Towns:
The Committee agreed we would not be applying for Tidy Towns again this year.
5.6 Mapping of Trails Project:
Harvey, Sandy and Madeleine will be meeting with members of the MUN Geography Department tomorrow to discuss how they could assist with our trail mapping project. To date, the project sub-committee is made up of Harvey, Sandy, Annette, Gerard and Madeleine.
5.7 TETC Web Site:
Congratulations and thanks to Michele who developed our great web site and updates it regularly. Anyone who has suggestions for links to add should let Michele know.
5.8 Town Web Site:
The town’s new web site is under construction and everyone is encouraged to visit it and provide comments/suggestions to the town. The address is: 91warp82.newtel.com/torbay.
5.9 SWASP Program:
Copies of this application are available but there are no plans at this time for us to apply.
3. Report on Meetings Attended by Committee Members in March:
6.1 Town Council Meetings: March 4 (Marian C) & March 19 (PeggyM):
The next Council meeting will take place on April 1.
6.2 Heritage Committee Meeting, March 6 (MadeleineF):
Madeleine reported that the Heritage Committee is interested in looking at a joint purchase of a
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powerpoint projector next year, depending on funds
available. The next meeting of Heritage is scheduled for April17.
6.3 Recreation Committee Meeting, March 26 (Peggy M):
Mention was made of rotten trees in Whiteway’s Pond.
4.
Other Business:
7.1 Town Lighting:
Harvey pointed out that the type of street lights used in the town are not very energy efficient because much of the light is wasted overhead rather than being directed downward. He suggested the town might want to consider investing in a more efficient lighting system as lights need replacing. This will be placed on a future agenda for discussion.
7.2 Community Hike:
Weather permitting, we will have a guided hike to Moon Pond Ridge on Sunday, April 21, starting at 11:30am at Ross’. Fred Hollinghurst had expressed an interest in this hike and will be invited. Madeleine will email information to everyone.
5. Date of Next Meeting and Adjournment:
The next meeting will take place on April 24, at 8:15pm at the Kinsmen Centre.
Return to the Torbay Environment &Trails Committee Meeting Information Page