MINUTES

TORBAY ENVIRONMENT TRAILS COMMITTEE

Thursday, September 8, 2011, 8:15 PM, Kinsmen Center

Present: Michael Gardiner, Madeleine Florent, Ralph Tapper, Helen Spencer, Myra Maynard, Robbie Hicks, Geoff Gallant, Shirley Thorne, Sylvia Warkentin

1. Approval of agenda and minutes

Minutes of last meeting (August 4) were read and approved.

1. Nominations

- Helen nominated Sylvia take over the leadership role for the committee. Sylvia agreed to take on more responsibilities until April 2012.

1. Beautification Awards

- Myra reported that there were some difficulties and break-down in communications between the awards committee and the town. The awards are sponsored in part by Traverse Gardens and are known as the Traverse Gardens/Torbay Property Beautification Awards. The gift certificates to the winners were from Murrays Garden Center and not from Traverse Gardens as has always been the case. This was discovered by the committee members quite by accident only shortly before the start of the awards presentation. It was determined later that the change in merchant was because of issues regarding expiration dates of the gift certificates, but this change was not communicated to the committee.

- Better communication between the town and committee members is desired, as well as some acknowledgement that the committee puts a great deal of time and effort into this project.

ACTION

Ralph Will take up this issue at the next Recreation Committee meeting.

1. Hillside Rock Garden

- Myra and Ralph talked about the proposal from David Manse at TRACT consulting. The proposal would be for the placement of trails, planting suggestions, and ways to enhance the garden.

- The estimated cost of the proposal is $1200.00, and the survey certificate required for it is estimated at $750.00 (Martin/Dunphy)

- Ed Delany from ECTA will be meeting with members of the committee to discuss access possibilities over the ditch.

ACTION

It was decided that the committee should wait until after the meeting and site visit with Ed Delany before proceeding with the TRACT proposal which will be brought forward at our next meeting.

1. Finance Report

Madeleine presented the financial report. Current accounts are as follows:

On account with the town $2500

Rock Garden account 1000

Recycling account 1200

Total bank balance 6638.39

1. Newsletter

- It was decided that we will publish a Newsletter this fall. All articles should be ready for committee review at our November 3 meeting. This should then be sufficient time to get the articles to Monica Barnes for editing, have them printed and then put into the mail by the end of November. Discussion was had on who would write about what.

ACTION

Ralph Rock Garden

Robbie Flooding

Sylvia Christmas Hike and Social

Madeleine Recycling

Michael Torngat Moutain Trip and Pictures

Myra Beautification Awards

Helen Garden Club

1. S.A.M.

- Representative required for the next SAM meeting from either the committee or town. So far no one has come forward or seemed to be available.

ACTION

Ralph Will approach other people who might be willing to go.

1. Forest Landing Phase 7

Discussion was had regarding the lack of transparency surrounding this development, seemingly less access to information and the need for public consultation.

1. ECTA – TETC

Kayaking prize for the team winners should be taken advantage of soon. Saturday or Sunday October 1 or 2 were selected as possible dates.

ACTION

Helen To follow up on possible dates with both the prize issuer and winners.

1. Hike

Christmas hike and social on December 4. Time and place TBA.