MINUTES

1. Introductions and Review of Agenda

Introductions were made and the agenda approved.

1. Review and Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting (October 27)

The minutes of the last meeting were approved and the following updates provided:

(i) The hike with Darla O’Reilley and HTHS students along the Father Troy Trail planned for November 16 had to be canceled due to inclement weather and will now take place in the spring.

(ii) Our application for membership in the NLEN has been completed and submitted to Rodney for payment.

(iii) Shirley did a one-day PowerPoint training workshop at the Community Services Council.

1. Gully Project Update

3.1 Dinner & Auction, December 5, Clovelly’s

Plans for the auctions are progressing well. The auction will start at 6pm, with dinner being served at 7pm. The collection of donations and ticket sales are going very well. We will be calling all those who attended last year to invite them to attend and anyone who has some time to help make the calls should let Madeleine know. A meeting is being set up with Norm Doyle some time in December to brief him on our project and get his support for future plans.

3.2 One-Tonne Challenge

Krista attended a one-day workshop in Ottawa hosted by Environment Canada. The project is expected to start in January 2005. The level of funding has not yet been confirmed.

3.3 Water Control Structure

We are still working on getting the necessary information we need to complete final blueprints for the structure. As soon as we have an estimate on how much the additional engineering data will cost, we will arrange a meeting with the town. There is a possibility of some financial help from DU and EHJV. The structure will be installed in the spring 2005.

3.4 Other

The Final Report of Phase 2 of the Gully Project is almost complete and must be submitted by November 30 to EcoAction in order for us to receive the hold-back. The audit has been completed.

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1. Mapping of Trails Project Update

The sub-committee met on November 17 to review the preliminary map. Harvey met with the graduate student who did the work today and he will be doing some revisions. The final connections that will link all trails together and provide a circular trail around Torbay will have to be done by GPS. Sandy provided an excellent critique of the draft map which we can discuss when we review the final draft.

MUN will be finished with this project by Christmas. We now have a large data base (over 152 overlays of information) and we need to decide if we leave the data base with MUN or take it over ourselves. If we take it over, we would need the necessary software (about $1000) and we would have to make sure we have a computer to run it as well someone trained in the technology. We could train one of our members or look at applying for funds for a summer student ourselves to continue the work done by MUN. MUN is undergoing some restructuring so we will nee to meet with them in the new year to discuss the transition.

The bottom line is we are now looking for individuals who would like to get involved in the next phase of development of this project.

1. 2005 Come Home Year Celebrations Update

Our committee will be hosting an outdoor BBQ to mark the celebrations on Saturday, July 16. The details will worked out later on.

1. TETC Newsletter

One page of TETC news will be included in the upcoming Gully newsletter. Michele will put the page together with contributions from Marian (Property Beautification Awards) and others. A “Top 10 reasons” for getting involved in TETC was put together for inclusion.

1. Development Issues

There are several proposed developments which are causing some concern among TETC members due to potential encroachment on wetland buffer zones and the accelerated loss of green spaces in our town. Mike confirmed that, when reviewing development applications, Council maintains two key principles: first, if an existing public trail is destroyed as a result of development, it must be replaced with an alternative; and secondly, buffer zones must be respected. Unfortunately, based on past experience, we have found that, even with the best of intentions, regulations are often difficult to enforce and corrective measures even more difficult to achieve. The town also has limited resources for monitoring and volunteers can only do so much.

An appeal has been launched regarding the proposed development on Patrick’s Path but no date set yet. Regarding the Jones Pond development, Mike will confirm the size of the buffer zone. Harvey also reminded us that access to the Jones Pond trail from Marine Drive was still up in the air and needed to be resolved. The town is working on getting an agreement from the adjacent landowner.

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In view of the pace of development in our community and in view of the fact that the Municipal Plan is up for its 10-year review in 2005, it was agreed that our committee should encourage dialogue during the next few months about the future of our community and the kind of town we would like to see in the future. One suggestion is that we organize a public meeting early in the new year to give residents an opportunity to voice their opinions.

1. ECTA Economic Impact Workshop, November 18

Several members and the Deputy Mayor attended the workshop. We were advised at the meeting that there were some land issues that have to be resolved in Torbay before the ECTA can complete the trail through our community. Because of the delays caused by these issues, the ECTA plans to first focus on completing other sections of the northern trail. This news was disappointing and points to the need for closer communications between our town and the ECTA.

1. TETC & Gully Project Budget

Our 2005 budget was presented to the Town Council recently by Shirley and Madeleine.

1. Membership

We need a strategy to encourage residents to join our committee and/or attend our meetings.