January 19, 2006
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Cormack held on Thursday, January 19, 2006 in the council office, Cormack.

Members Present: Mayor W. Hewitt
Deputy Mayor A. Alexander
Councillor C. Pelley
Councillor M. Rideout
Absent with Regrets: Councillor B. Pinksen
Also Present: Cynthia Fry, Town Clerk Manager

The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 7:40 pm.

Administration

The clerk manager advised Council that her Commissioner of Oaths designation expired on December 31st and application has been made for renewal at a fee of $50.00.

Doris Hillier began training in the council office the past Monday.

Councillors were advised of training sessions being presented by Humber Valley Net (NVNet) on January 30th and 31st.

Election of Western Director for the Municipal Assessment Agency.

Resolution 06-006 Pelley/Alexander
Resolved that the town’s choice for Western Regional Director is Darryl Kelly of Deer Lake. 4 for, carried.

Permits and Inspections

Applications were tabled from:

Dan Bailey - requesting permission to cut, clear and beautify windbreak fronting property of 39 - 49 Veterans Drive.
Doug Parsons - requesting permission to construct a pole frame barn (32' x 350') to house mink kits, this development does not involve an increase in animal units.
Doug Parsons - requesting permission to construct a storage shed at mink operation.

Resolution 06-007 Rideout/Alexander
Resolved that the applications from Dan Bailey and Doug Parsons for the preceding purposes be approved. 4 for, carried.

Western Regional Lands Office - application from Samms Broiler Farm (1996) Ltd. is given conditional approval for lease of agricultural land in the north western area of Cormack behind Tamarack Drive, for agricultural purposes.

Subdivision and Development

1. Renewal of Quarry Lease at Viking Trail

The town has indicated to Mineral Lands Division that it intends to renew its quarry lease. The clerk manager informed council of her conversations with R. Mercer at MEREX concerning the completion of a development plan as required by Mineral Lands. Mr. Mercer will carry out the work required to acquire the new lease for a quoted price of $4300.

Resolution 06-008 Alexander/Pelley
It is resolved that the town contract R. Mercer to prepare the town’s submission to the Mineral Lands Division for renewal of its quarry lease at Viking Trail. 4 for, carried.

2. Municipal Plan Review

Council discussion on the plan review confirming its commitment to protection of the agricultural viability of the community and its concern that any subdivision for commercial purposes provision be worded to avoid risk of abuse, it the proposed commercial development must be established before a residence can go ahead. Council set a date of February 23rd for the public information session.

Fire Department

Application for Financial Assistance

The town’s application to the Office of the Fire Commissioner for shared costs toward acquisition of protective clothing and equipment for the department was acknowledged and the request will be considered in this upcoming fiscal year with the condition that all necessary reports from the fire department are on file at the Office of the Commissioner.

Recreation

Bank Balance as of November 30, 2005 Cormack Rec Bar Committee.............$ 3, 342.60
Bank Balance as of November 30, 2005 Cormack Recreation Commission......$ 2,864.57

Information on a ‘Green Team, Youth Employment Program’ was tabled. Deadline for submission is February 1st, The program has potential to address some environmental concerns the town has such as the abundance of vehicle wrecks and the matter of compiling heritage information for the town.


Great Humber Joint Council

The next monthly meeting will be held in Deer Lake on January 28st. The Mayor will attend. Further to information given at a recent Joint Council meeting the clerk informed council of a conversation with the NLFM office. No agreement to date between the province and Ottawa on distribution of the funds. There is some indication that there may be funds diverted from the municipalities to go toward waste management. Council directed the clerk to write NLFM and Kathy Goudie that there be no ‘clawback’ or reduction to funding which is intended to go to municipalities.

CORRESPONDENCE

Statistics Canada advise that Census Day is Tuesday, May 16, 2006.
Department of Municipal Affairs - the Minister regrets that the town’s request for funding toward the completion of its Municipal Plan is denied as there is no program available for funding municipal plan reviews.

The town is in receipt of the Municipal Assessment Agency’s annual report.

Department of Innovation Trade and Rural Development - Offer of Funding, the town is advised of funding under the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund for its Agricultural Development Centre and Heritage Museum.

Resolution 06-009 Rideout/Alexander
The Town of Cormack accepts the offer of financing from the Regional /Sectoral Diversification Fund for the lesser of $100,000 or 14.5% of the project ‘Cormack Agricultural Resource Development and Heritage Centre’ and agrees to the conditions of financing outlined in the letter of offer. 4 for, carried.

The Fire Department’s Ski Doo Run Fund Raiser

At this time Deputy Fire Chief Melvin Rideout Jr. arrived to discuss matters pertaining to the prizes for the ski doo run. The deputy chief advised that while the department is ok with the 15% of an individual’s sponsorships being retained as incentive to fund raise, the department feels it is important to recognize the participants, for their time and expense involved. Deputy chief Rideout felt that the run will (as evidenced by past runs) raise more money if there is something more. Therefore, the council agreed that the department could provide a meal (estimated cost $8.00) at the end of the run to anyone raising $60 or more in sponsorship money. Deputy fire chief left following discussion.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Copies of Financial Reports were distributed to councillors:
Bank account 1020 .....$ 14,876.00 cr. with $ 11,734.84 cash on hand for deposit for a net of $3 141.16 overdrawn.( to ck #3341)
Cheque Register (#3249 to #3342)
Accounts Payable totaling $ 19674.89 (report includes payroll accounts)

Deputy Mayor Alexander left the room to allow discussion of account payable A&J Variety in the amount of $117.52.

Resolution 006-010 Pelley/Rideout

Approval given for payment of $117.52 to A&J Variety. 3 for, carried. (Pelley/Rideout/Hewitt)

Deputy Mayor returned to room.

Resolution 006-010 Rideout/Alexander
Approval given for payment of the accounts presented for payment totalling $19674.89 less the previous resolution amount and the sum outstanding of $218.91 to Mega Trends. 4 for, carried.

Volunteer Dinner. Appropriate time would be during Volunteer Week.

Councillor Rideout left at 10:00 pm.

An Assessment Form for Crown Land application from Melvin J. Rideout for land in the area of the White River Road development area. Lots 2 & 3.

Resolution 006-012 Alexander/Pelley
Council has no objection to the application for crown land as submitted by Melvin J. Rideout. Access indicated by agricultural access road. 3 for, carried.

Resolution 006-013 Alexander/Pelley
Motion to adjourn. 3 for, carried. 10:15 pm.