Town Council of the Town of Cormack

Minutes of
Regular Meeting of March 8, 2007

Present: Mayor Warwick Hewitt
Deputy Mayor Alexander
Councillor Calvin Pelley
Councillor Melvin Rideout
Councillor Aubrey Chaffey
Town Clerk Manager - Cynthia Fry

The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 7:40 p.m.
A welcome was extended to newly elected Councillor, Aubrey Chaffey.
Councillor Chaffey was duly sworn in on February 27th by the Town Clerk Manager in the presence of Mayor Hewitt and Elizabeth Appleby.

Resolution 007-018 Alexander/Pelley
To adopt the minutes of the February 8, 2007 Regular Meeting.
5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

Resolution 007-019 Alexander/Rideout
To adopt the minutes of the January 11, 2007 Regular Meeting as presented.
5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

DELEGATIONS

7:55 p.m.
Derrick Balsom was present to discuss a Business Tax levied against him for 2007.
After a brief discussion with Council, and assurance that he would be advised of council’s decision, Mr. Balsom left at 8:15 p.m.

Resolution 007-020 Rideout/Alexander
Resolved to accept Derrick Balsom’s statement that he is not carrying on business at his property at this time and the account can be adjusted accordingly. 5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

Council noted that a review of business activity within the town is required and guidelines and policy are needed in respect to imposition of business tax.

REPORTS

Administration

1. Local Government Management Core Program

Resolution 007-021 Pelley/Alexander
Resolved approval given to Elizabeth Appleby to attend training scheduled for Corner Brook from May 11-13th. Town will cover expenses with MTDC which will share (50%) eligible expenses. 5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

2. Annual Convention of NLAMA

Resolution 007-022 Alexander/Pelley
The Town will cover the expenses to send Elizabeth Appleby, Office Assistant to the Annual Convention of NLAMA to be held in St. John’s on April 19 - 21. 5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

3. Local Gas Tax

The Town is in receipt of its first payment ($25,796.32) from the Federal Gas Tax Program, representing years 1 and 2. The full amount has been invested in a Guarantee Investment Certificate.
Council directed that the sum be locked in to obtain the higher interest rate.

4. Tax Adjustments

Resolution 007-023 Alexander/Rideout
The following tax accounts are written off:
Simply Horse Tack Shop - (Business Tax 2007) - not operating.
Stephen White - (Poll Tax)
Stephen Rice - (Poll Tax)
Stephen Young - (Poll Tax)
Robert Sutton - (Poll Tax)
A-Gem Ranch Golf Course Limited - (Business Tax 2007)
5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

4. 2008 Municipal Assessment

Resolution 007-024 Rideout/Pelley
In accordance with provision of the Assessment Act, Mr. Carl Stratton is hereby appointed
Assessment Review Commissioner for the 2008 Property Assessment Roll. 5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

5. Review of Office Assistant’s Salary

Resolution 007-025 Rideout/Pelley
Resolved that the issue of a review of the office assistant’s salary be deferred to be dealt with as part of a full review of employee wages, including job descriptions. 5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

6. Competitiveness Through Best Practices Mission

The Town has been selected as a possible participant for a Farmstays Mission to Burlington, Vermont.
The mission will include tours of ‘Farmstay’ operations which have successfully blended tourism with active farm operations. ACOA will cover 50% of costs, provincial Dept. of Tourism will cover 25% of eligible costs. Councillor
Resolution 007-026 Alexander/Rideout
Council approval is given for a representative of the Town, councillor or town clerk manager, to attend the Mission set for April 10 - 14 in Vermont. 5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

7. Hearing Commissioner for Plan Review

Resolution 007-027 Rideout/Alexander
Resolved to appoint Mr. Carl Stratton as Hearing Commissioner for the Municipal Plan Review.
5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

Permits and Inspections (No business tabled.)
Subdivision and Development

1. An application from Derrick Spracklin for crown land off Willow Avenue has been conditionally approved by the Crown Lands Division.
2. Applications from Terry Nicholas Young and Tony Martin Young have been rejected due to failure to provide the necessary follow up.
3. The Department of Agriculture has given its approval to two applications from Mrs. Neta Roberts requesting permission to subdivide two residential blocks from farm lot #9.
4. An application from Mr. John Bennett to subdivide an area from his farm lot #29 was tabled for reconsideration.

Resolution 007-028 Alexander/Rideout
It is duly resolved that the application from John Bennett requesting permission to subdivide an area from his farm for his son William is approved subject to referral and approval from the Department of Agriculture and amendment of the Grant (if required) to carry out same. 5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

Recreation

1. Canada Day Celebrations

Resolution 007-029 Rideout/Chaffey
Resolved to ratify the authorization for Marie Morris to make application on behalf of the Town
as Recreation President for Canada Day grant.
5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

Public Works

1. Equipment

We’ve had problems with the loader stalling. The problem was a solenoid which had to be replaced. At first it was believed that it was a switch which was purchased and installed by maintenance. Ontrac does not take returns on any electrical parts. Council wanted some information on restocking fees, etc.
before deciding what to do about the part - to return or keep on hand.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Department of Municipal Affairs List of Productive Farmland Exemptions for 2007.
• Farm Credit Canada Town is not eligible for funding under the FCC AgriSpirit program.
• St. George’s ACW Note of Appreciation.
• Dept. of Municipal Affairs Notification of grant released in the amount of $25,796.32 for Federal Gas Tax Program.
• Tidy Towns Regarding this year’s competition.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Financial Report included accounts payable to March 6/07 totaling $13,605.12, Cheque Register to Ck 4014, Cash on Hand of $814.63 and Bank Balance of $60,146.20. ArDAHC balance at $141,465.33.
Resolution 007-030 Rideout/Chaffey
Approval is given to pay all invoices presented for payment (Ontrac for switch excluded) 5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

NEW BUSINESS

Issues In Respect to Veterans Drive

• dips in the pavement at Main Rocky Bridge causing water (slush and ice) to build up
• flooding at access to municipal depot and church every spring, culvert needs to be replaced
• the bridge just east of the Aspen intersection on Veterans Drive should be replaced
• alders should be removed in the area of the intersection of Veterans Drive and Viking Trail.
The above concerns should be forwarded onto the Department of Transportation.

Benefit Dance

A benefit dance was held for Mr. David Companion on March 3rd.

Resolution 07-031 Rideout/Alexander
Resolved that the $25.00 charged for the use of the hall be refunded
5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

A letter from Honourable Gerry Byrne prompted Council to write the Honourable Minister of Transportation to protest plans to increase fees at Marine Atlantic and argue that Marine Atlantic be treated as an essential service.

The request from NLFM for financial assistance to retire mortgage on its building early will be deferred to later meeting.


NEW BUSINESS

The Town will send congratulations to Mr. Dwight Ball on his recent election to the House of Assembly and request a meeting with him regarding issues important to Cormack.

Beverage Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Town will join a class action suit to recover the liquor taxes paid from the Recreation Bar Account. 5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

Resolution 007-032 Rideout/Alexander
The Town will renew it membership with the Deer Lake Chamber of Commerce.
5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

OTHER BUSINESS

Paving initiative discussion, including the park.

Town to begin preparation for the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Dance to be held during Volunteer Week. Book music as soon as date available.

11:15 Deputy Mayor Alexander left room to allow the tabling of invoices from A&J Variety.
Resolution 007-033 Rideout/Pelley
Approval given for payment of invoices presented from A& J Variety totaling $15.52 and $70.56 to the Cormack Rec Bar account.
4 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.

Deputy Mayor returned to meeting.

ADJOURNMENT
Resolution 007-034 Pelley/Alexander
Meeting adjourned. 11:30
5 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained, carried.