COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – August 14, 2013

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COMMUNITY OF MISCOUCHE
Regular Monthly Meeting
August 14, 2013

1. OPENING OF MEETING
Chairperson, Peter Mallett called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

Present:
Peter Mallett – Chairperson
Ivan Blanchard – Vice-Chairperson
Joan Arsenault – Councilor
Ben Murphy – Councilor
Mike MacKinnon – Councilor
Judy Gallant – Administrator
Absent: John Gillis – Councilor

2. MAINTENANCE REPORT
– Tree Trimming – Council agreed to have our maintenance worker trim back any
tree branches which might cause problems for our maintenance tractor when cleaning snow off the sidewalks around the Community.

3. FIRE DEPT REPORT
In the absence of the Fire Chief, Ivan reported that firemen decided not to do a 50/50 draw at the Rec Centre’s weekly bingos.

4. REC CENTRE REPORTS – Robert Gallant, Manager was not in attendance to give
a report.

5. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

MOTION moved by Ben Murphy, seconded by Mike MacKinnon and carried,
THAT the minutes of the July 10th regular, July 18th special and August 6th special
meetings be approved as presented.

6. BUSINESS ARISING

a) Storage Building – Council discussed the possibility of making a few minor changes
to the building regarding insulation, the overhead door and windows.

b) Rec Centre
– Expressions of Interest Advertisement – Peter advised that we received three emails
with suggestions for the use of the Rec Centre which included: Yoga classes; after school program for children and renting out space to accommodate 6 – 10 small businesses and space for educational courses.
– Activities for Teens – Mike reported that he has applied for a grant to try and purchase
some sporting equipment for teen activities. If there is not enough interest from the teen aged children then this program could still be set up for younger children.

c) “Ed Laughlin” Memorial Service Person of the Year Award – The award was presented to
Julia Albert by Chairperson Peter Mallett at the Church picnic which was held on Sunday, August 11th.

d) Unsightly Property –  – 8 Main Drive West
Ben reported that he has spoken with our solicitor John Brennan about this issue and Mr. Brennan advised that he will do some research to see if there was ever any Will for the late resident to try and determine who might have been named an Executor. Council members discussed the option of having the building declared unsafe so that we can proceed with a Clean Up Order under our Unsightly Bylaw. Following further discussion Ben agreed to speak to our solicitor John Brennan to get his opinion on us getting a building inspector to declare the building unsafe and needs to be tore down and property cleaned up. Council members agreed that the Community should take whatever steps are necessary to have this property cleaned up properly.

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS

a) Fire Dept – Nothing new to report

b) Recreation – Mike reported that he has set up a web site for the Community of Miscouche
under the site Miscouchepei.wordpress.com.

c) Planning Board – There were 3 building permits issued this period;

– to construct a 53′ x 48′ single family dwelling with attached garage at 129 Lady Slipper Dr. N.
–  to construct a 45′ x 46′ single family dwelling with attached garage at 15 Heritage
–  to construct a 12′ x 14′ private storage shed at 70 Main Drive East.

d) Sewer – Outstanding sewer charges
Judy advised that invoices have been mailed out to property owners who’s sewer accounts are overdue.

e) Acadian Purchase Trust – Judy reported that our Accountants are doing the annual
financial statement.

g) Community Improvements – Nothing new to report.

i) Finance – Nothing new to report.

8. APPROVAL OF BILLS

MOTION moved by Ivan Blanchard, seconded by Ben Murphy and carried,
THAT the payment of the following bills totaling $16,212.53 be approved.

9. NEW BUSINESS
Judy advised Council that she will be taking vacation time from Wednesday August
28th until Wednesday September 4th.

10. NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 7:00 P.M.

11. MEETING ADJOURNED