AGENDA
TORBAY ENVIRONMENT & TRAILS COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, May 28, 2003, 7:30pm, Kinsmen Centre
Present: Shirley Thorne Peggy Manning
Madeleine Florent Mike Byrne
Kay Codner Francis Thorne
Sara Beaumont Annette Stapenhorst
The agenda was approved.
The minutes of the April 30 meeting were approved.
3.1 David Suzuki Seminar and Brunch
Shirley, Madeleine and Ken attended the brunch with David Suzuki on May 12 and his lecture on his Nature Challenge that evening at Holy Heart of Mary Auditorium. Information about the Challenge is available on his web site at www.davidsuzuki.org. Everyone is urged to consult the site and sign onto the Challenge. Shirley reminded members that we have Suzuki's latest book 'Good News for a Change' which can be loaned out to members.
3.2 TETC Web Site
Madeleine pointed out that the guest book on our site displays names and addresses of those who have signed and that this should be corrected. This will be brought to Michele's attention.
3.3 Newsletter
We hope to have our spring newsletter out in late June. Anyone who has items they wish to submit for this issue should forward them to Shirley or Madeleine.
3.4 Neighbourhood Clean-up/St. John's Clean and Beautiful
Gerry Hayes is organizing our town's participation in this program. We don't have a date yet. This program encourages people to clean their streets. We may consider entering the Tidy Towns competition next year when the Gully Project is more advanced and we have more to show off.
4.1 Progress Report
Madeleine reported on progress with the Gully project. Final reports and budget forms for phase 1 are being prepared and funding sources for phase 2 are being explored to cover the shortfall from EcoAction. Possible sources mentioned were: Norm Doyle, ACOA, TD Bank, Royal Bank, Mountain Equipment Coop and HRDC (for carpenters to build the classrooms). Our Green
Team application has been approved.
4.2. Gas Spill at Irving Station
Since the spill was reported, there has been lots of activity at the Irving Station. Shirley has spoken to federal and provincial officials. A boom has been installed to clean up the spill and test holes have been dug to identify the source of the spill. Madeleine will ask Gerry Hayes to check on progress and actions being taken.
4.3 Project Wild Workshop, June 6
Madeleine informed members that a workshop on Project Wild has been organized for the Elementary School teachers for June 6 and that a few spaces were available for interested members or community group representatives.
The walking of trails is nearing completion. Some work on section 3 is still needed. A meeting of the steering committee has been scheduled for July 11 at 7:30pm.
The community hike planned for June 1 was canceled due to the many activities under way. The ECTA has a lot of hikes planned and information on these is forwarded to members through the secretary.
Everyone is invited to celebrate Oceans Day on June 8 by going down to the beach and doing some clean-up. No formal event is being organized but Madeleine will send an email around.
There is some concern about the amount of excavating activity happening on the Cole property just south of Great Pond, including some blasting activity. Mike indicated that the contractor has a permit to operate until August and thereafter is supposed to return the area to a natural state. Francis will prepare a letter to Council pointing out our concerns and asking for the regulations regarding hours of operation, the deadline for the work and suggesting the need for some dust control.
Annette recently attended a meeting with the ECTA and suggested that Torbay should try to have a member elected to the board. The ECTA Annual Meeting is taking place in the Foran Room at City Hall on June 18. Sara will ask her husband if he might be interested in running; alternately, perhaps Lara Maynard might be interested.
Information about events around this year's Property Beautification Awards will be placed in our upcoming newsletter. A notice will also be placed on the town sign. There will be a tour of past
winners on Sunday, July 6. The Awards night will take place on Wednesday, August 13. Nomination forms will be available at the town office or nominations may be made by email or by phone to TETC members. Peggy will place a notice in the Northeast Avalon Times and also contact Jeff Green about doing an article for the Downhomer.
Shirley and Mike will be attending with their spouses. There will not be any need for Ken to attend.
We have not received word yet about our nomination of the town to this year's awards. Shirley submitted additional information to update what we sent in last year.
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 25, at 7:30pm at the Kinsmen Centre.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40pm.