MINUTES

1. Introductions and Review of Agenda

The agenda was approved with additions under Other Business.

1. Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting (February 28, 2007)

The minutes of the last meeting were approved with the following updates:

(1) Mink Farm in Portugal Cove: Madeleine will send a follow up letter regarding the appeal so that all of our concerns are on the public record.

(2) Web Site: The missing minutes have been sent to Jayson and these will be added as part as the new revamped TETC web site. The domain name for the Gully Project will be allowed to lapse as of the end of April.

(3) Western Island Pond: Nothing new to report yet.

(4) TETC Logo: The new revised logo was approved.

1. Trail Mapping Project

3.1 Jones Pond Trail Access from Marine Drive - Update

Madeleine will check with Brian if a second letter has been sent to the landowners regarding access to the trail.

The new trails around the Jones Pond area will need to be proofed with a GPS as soon as the weather permits so the maps can be updated.

3.2 Motion Drive Ext. Development - Update

Members were very pleased to receive written confirmation that Council had approved a 15- metre public buffer and a 30-metre conservation buffer for the area. We are encouraged by the support shown by Council for the preservation of the town’s traditional trails and coastline.

3.3 ECTA Letter

Madeleine will ask Brian for a copy of the letter sent to Council by the ECTA.

3.4 Updating of Draft Maps

Rodolphe has had a student working on updating the draft maps and incorporating data on new roads/developments as shown on Plan Tech’s data bank. Madeleine and Cathy will be meeting with Rodolphe and the student tomorrow to take stock on where we’re at with this initiative,

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what remains to be done and also to plan for the summer activities.

If members have any comments, additions, traditional names or other suggestions regarding the maps, these should be forwarded to Rodolphe as soon as possible so they can be included. One member mentioned that the trail from North Pond to Portugal Cove was formerly known as the Priest’s Road.

3.5 Summer Student Job Application

We will be applying for a summer student under the federal Career Placement Program for a 12-week period. The rate will be $7.50/hour. The deadline is this coming Friday and, since applications go into a national pool this year, it is important that it be complete and letter perfect.

Rodolphe indicated that most of the labor-intensive work of updating the maps was under way and that whatever comes up over the next few months could be easily completed in a short time span. It was therefore agreed that the main focus of the work for our summer student would be on research, ie gathering historical data, traditional names, descriptions of special places and other interesting anecdotes that could be featured on the final map as well as taking and collecting photographs.

We will also apply for a summer student under the SWASP Program to increase our chance of getting at least one student.

1. Torbay’s Green Living Initiative - Update

Copies of Cathy’s latest update were circulated. Reaction to the bus survey have been very positive and most survey sheets left at local businesses were filled up quickly and had to be replaced.

Our next newsletter will invite residents to submit comments and information about the trails and contain a link to the web page. Ralph will also be doing an article on the tradition of travelling dinner parties in his neighbourhood.

1. Gully Project

5.1 Access Trails from the Schools

Madeleine has received a more detailed estimate from Marc. It was agreed that before signing a contract, TETC would require written approval in principle from the Episcopal Corporation in the case of HTES, and from the School Board in the case of HTHS. The Episcopal Corporation has a letter in our records granting permission in the past but, in view of the uncertainty about the location of the new school, we need to determine what the future of the Episcopal land will be if the school is moved. Ralph agreed to contact Billie Power and discuss the matter. Madeleine will be setting up the meeting with Pat Royle of the School Board and the school Principal, Leland Mercer.

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5.2 Project Webfoot

For the second year in a row, TETC has agreed to host a series of 12 field trips to the Gully under the Ducks Unlimited program ‘Project Webfoot”involving students from the eastern school district. Members are welcome to participate and help Cathy out. The field trips are informative and fun. Perhaps the HTES Gully Buddies could help welcome the students.

It was agreed that we would go ahead and purchase two folding tables and two sets of binoculars to supplement the supplies from last year.

1. Other Business

6.1 National Volunteer Week

The Committee agreed that we would send thank you cards to all our volunteers as in the past.

6.2 Torbay Citizen of the Year Award

Deadline for nominations to the town’s new award program is March 23.

1. Election of Officers - 2007

This item was deferred. The comment was made that it is always a challenge to get people to actively participate in volunteer activities and to serve on our executive. We need to develop a plan to recruit new volunteers.

Madeleine suggested that one of the deterrents might be the tremendous amount of work that the Committee has taken on in the past. Since January 2002, TETC has hired and supervised staff to carry out projects like the Gully Project, the One-Tonne Challenge, the Trail Mapping Project and the Green Living Initiative. We have had Green Teams every year but one and we have also had summer students. All this requires a tremendous amount of energy on the part of volunteers to supervise projects and staff and this may be a turn off for many people considering getting involved. Our Committee has successfully obtained project funds to hire these coordinators but funding for new projects (ie staff) is extremely unlikely in the future given what we have already received. Yet the fact remains that there is a wide array of ‘environmental’ work that is required in our growing town, not to mention the town’s responsibilities vis-a-vis the Wetland Municipal Stewardship Agreement and Habitat Management Plan.

The discussion ended with members generally agreeing that it was time for our town to consider creating an ‘environmental’ or ‘community development’ officer position to deal with the many environmental challenges that face our community. Many of these duties, such as recycling, composting, environmental education, are being carried out by Cathy but her contract ends in September. The question is who will pick up the coordinating role currently played by Cathy.

TETC will prepare a recommendation to Council that they consider hiring an environmental officer to oversee, develop and coordinate these issues in our town. A first step could be to research what other communities of similar populations are doing.

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1. Other Business

8.1 Insurance for Volunteers

This issue has been raised again in the context of the rock garden project. Cathy will research this and report back.

8.2 Tidy Towns Competition 2007

It was decided that we would consider applying next year when we will be able to hopefully feature work like the rock garden, the trails and the Gully.

Ralph provided information about an upcoming workshop.

8.3 Property Beautification Awards

The sub-committee for the PBA will be formed in the next few weeks. We have several new volunteers interested in helping out with this and are always looking for more.

One issue that the sub-committee will need to look at which was raised last year is pesticide use. Since we are an environmental committee, many people feel properties being nominated for the awards should be pesticide-free.

8.4 Renewable Energy

Madeleine suggested we inform residents in our newsletter of the names of local resources/contacts on wind and solar power that are available for anyone considering looking at renewable energy for home use.