These are revised but unapproved minutes of June meeting. For changes see subsequent minutes.
TREPA Minutes
June 5, 2019
The meeting of the Board of Directors of TREPA, at 7S P.M. at Main Street location.
Present: Barrie MacGregor, Eko Raharjo, Dianne Klomp, John Sollows, Mike Raynard, Roy Fudge, John Morris, Nicola Roberts-Fenton and Ginny Smith.
Regrets: Jennifer Cunningham, Jean Cleveland, Debbie Sullivan, Dan Earle and Larry Deveau.
Approval Agenda with additions of two letters: one from Ann Jones; another from Donna Crossland. Moved by John Morris, 2nd by Roy Fudge, Carried.
Approve May Minutes-Moved by Roy, 2nd by John M. Carried.
Treasurer’s Report-Circulated-Reviewed April- $155 net income and no expenses.
John S. felt that no EI nor CPP was payable from last year’s payroll expenses. No payroll was payable after August, 2018, and there has been no request for payment of remittances by CRA. Jennifer may be able to confirm further. Re HST-there is a possibility of recovery of the HST expenses. It is being investigated. It appears difficult to recoup past expenses.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Water Quality Monitoring-John stated that $2000 has been committed from Adopt- a –stream; $600 from Municipality of Argyle; no funds from Clare; Municipality of Yarmouth will announce a decision this month.
Adopt a Stream had a meeting in Debert, but the distance was too great for any TREPA member to attend.
John S has had discussions with Andrew Sinclair and others regarding the blue green algae tests. A number of changes are planned: Andrew needs to discuss with Jean before finalization. John S. would like to continue testing Kegeshook . There will not be enough funds to do 14 lakes but John does not consider that to be a serious issue. .
2. Op Eds-We did not have an article this month. We did get good coverage on Judy Greens’ presentation and the Boomerang Bags.
3. Summer Jobs–We have received funds for 9 weeks from Canada Summer Jobs but we have not had money from Eco Action to match the grant, so the 15 week position has had to be scrapped. However, we did get enough $ for the Environmental Officer position. There are three good candidates. The job will start July 2. The interviews will take place June 21. John will circulate the posting on the web sight. Approval given.
4. Lobster Draw-Winner Roland Nickerson. Barrie suggested we try another spelling and another phone #. We made approximately $400 on the lobster draw this year.
5. Argyle Municipal garbage pickup: $525 was earned and the cheque was deposited.
6. DFO-kiak sampling-John updated earlier; there are three students working with one DFO supervisor.
7. DFO Coastal Restoration Fund (Bluenose Coastal Action Program). No news.
8. Morris Lloyd-Apparently, there will be by-law subdivision rule changes due in part to changes in the way property is bought, sold and divided over time with land titles changing hands frequently. ie the “four lot rule” will have to be upheld-no further dividing. A PAC meeting in is expected in June and is expected to consider riparian issues.
9 Shelburne/Annapolis Clear Cuts-John/Barrie Barrie hasn’t heard anything new about Shelburne except that there was a student protest in Shelburne last week. Minister Ian Rankin did write back to John he felt that the proposed logging would not affect the Important Bird Area but did seem open to greater public involvement in determining forestry directions. There are concerns about Westfor Clear Cuts in Annapolis as well. Mike things that this is a climate change issue, as do other members of the board.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. MTRI Membership-done
2. Climate presentation-Judy Green-57 people present. The organization of Climate Extinction has a number of sub groups and would like to expand. There have been some recent articles about single use plastic in the media. Mike sent a link to TREPA members about an article on energy efficient vehicles which is another major concern.
We agreed that we should keep the education piece re: climate change on the agenda. Donkin Mine is another example of the subjects that we could discuss.
3. June 8-Oceans Day-Fix it Fair/Recycle/Repurpose —sponsored by Waste Check at Beacon Church-10-2:00-Ginny
4. Letters-Response from Minister Ian Rankin//Workers compensation.//Read a Letter from Ann Jones wrote to Yarmouth Municipality regarding the environmental concerns about the Prime Transmission location. She was especially concerned about the Riparian Zone as it applies to this situation. Her complaints refllect TREPA’s concerns. John S. will send her copies of our letters to the Municipal Council. We too want to find out how the council is responding.
Letter from Donna Crossland- wrote concerning a Westfor clear cut in the Annapolis area. A Westfor spokesperson indicated that this is an “individual tree cut”, but it now appears to be a more invasive cut (variable retention). It appears that the Westfor contracts are being honoured before the Lahey report is implemented.
5. Bills – One from Barrie.
. 6. Selection new executive –next meeting
Adjourned Moved by John, 2nd by Dianne
Next Meeting-July 3, 2019, – 7:00.