MINUTES
TORBAY ENVIRONMENT & TRAILS COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, May 26,
2004, 7:30pm, Kinsmen Centre
Present: Peggy Manning Madeleine Florent
Mike Byrne Harvey Best
Kay Codner Marian Crowley
1. Introductions and Review of Agenda
The agenda was approved with the addition of the Property beautification Awards and Composting
2. Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting (April 28)
The minutes of the last meeting were approved with one correction: item 4 should read “Mike suggested that we contact Norm Doyle to ask if he could intercede on our behalf...”. The following updates on other items were provided:
(1) Bob Codner is still planning to visit Forest Landing to investigate concerns that were raised several weeks ago by a resident; at last report, the pile of rubbish were still there and visible along the main road into the development.
(2) Harvey will follow up with Kurt Youden at CCDA regarding access to a labourer this summer to help with TETC/Gully Project activities;
(3) we will get more information about the Green Communities Association before deciding to join since the membership fee is fairly high;
(4) the community hike is still planned for June 6 from 2-6pm.
3. Gully Project Steering Committee Report
Madeleine reported that EcoAction had approved an amount of $30,000 for Phase 3; this is far short of what we had requested and does not include the PowerCost Meter program. EcoAction has suggested that we consider reapplying for the meter program in October. Since the EcoAction funding does not cover all of our anticipated expenses, we will need to review our options and seek guidance from Council before proceeding.
Our Green Team application has been approved and recruitment will be under way soon. Our applications to Bristol Communications and to Unilever were turned down. No word yet on our application to the Environmental Damages Fund but additional information has been submitted.
Harvey is coordinating construction of the classrooms and is looking for volunteers to help with building the forms for the cement foundation on Friday. The materials are expected to be delivered on Saturday and Jim Cantwell has lined up some volunteers to begin construction. The plan is to completed the HTES classroom before beginning the one at HTHS. Students at HTHS will soon be building our two nesting islands.
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Judging of the colouring contest will soon take place; Peggy and Kay indicated they would be available to help judge the contest in the evening.
4. Mapping of Trails Project Update
Harvey reported that we have $1,000 in our budget for a summer student plus a private donation of $750. If we are successful at getting funding through HRDC, we should then be able to hire a student for the whole summer. . This would mean we could finish the mapping by the end of summer and then have a demonstration disk on hand. We will then look at whether we should buy the software which would enable us to update the disk at our leisure. Madeleine advised the committee of the new road which has been built in the backcountry which now connects Great Pond Road to Woodfine Road off Indian Meal Line.
5. Planning for Annual Neighbourhood Clean-up
Planning is now complete for the annual clean-up. In the event of rain, we will postpone to the following Saturday. There is an ad in the Northeast Avalon Times and announcements will be placed on radio stations. There will be one winner for the prize basket and each participant will get their name in the draw once for each bag of litter they pick up. Madeleine will be buying the garbage bags. Rodney will be available the day of the clean-up to pick up bags around town for people who cannot bring them to the town hall themselves.
Madeleine will ask Bernice to call all councillors and confirm the start time of 10am.
6. ATVs/Northeast Avalon Joint Councils Position Paper
Peggy Roche has asked for our input into the position paper that will be submitted to government concerning ATVS. Madeleine will confirm the timing for this and will contact Colleen Tapper to see if she would be interested in updating the work that was done a couple of years ago.
7. Partners for Climate Protection - Recommendation to Council
The proposal to Council regarding Partners for Climate Change program will be postponed.
8. Update on Council Business
Madeleine reported that she had met with a resident of Pineridge Development who is concerned about the wetland in the area. Madeleine suggested that neighbours be canvassed to see if there is sufficient interest in preserving the area and adding it to the stewardship zone. She will be following up with Bob Schmiedendorf as well. In view of problems that have arisen in the area in the past, notably as a result of hurricane Gabriel, it is important that development applications be carefully reviewed having regard to the province’s new flood risk policy. Development possibilities in the area of Quarry Road for example should be looked at very closely, particularly in regards to possible impact on water flows into Jones Pond.
Mike advised members that Council was planning to update mapping of the town.
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9. Green Party of Canada Correspondence
Madeleine tabled correspondence received from the Green Party seeking our support.
10. Other Business
10.1 NEIA Composting Workshop
The Committee will recommend that the town send a representative to this workshop as this is an area of growing interest and importance for our town.
10.2 Property Beautification Awards
The PBA sub-committee (Peggy, Marian, Kay and Joan Joy) will be meeting in June to finalize this year’s awards. Mike will check with Council regarding the tax rebate. This year, we will offer an award for the most improved business. This was mentioned in the letter sent to all businesses encouraging their participation in the annual clean-up this weekend.
10.3 SAM Meeting, June 4 & 5, Whitbourne
Shirley, Mike and Krista will attend.
11. Date of Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 30, at
7:30pm at the Kinsmen Centre.