Aquaforte

The council discussed various operational items, including deferring the planning for the FireSmart Canada Wildfire Community Preparedness Day event. They decided to renew the waste services contract with the Eastern Regional Service Board for one year. The council also addressed a review of the Town Plan and Development Regulations, received updates on the Municipal Assessment Agency property tax transition, and approved accounts payable. Furthermore, they proclaimed March 26th as Purple Day, reviewed correspondence regarding the role of council in financial and human resources oversight, and discussed mandatory Code of Conduct and orientation training for council members.

The Council discussed and authorized the budget for the 4th Annual Canada Day Community Breakfast and reviewed the status of the waste management contract. Updates were provided regarding the filling of summer student positions. Financial actions included the approval of accounts payable and the payment of a website hosting invoice. Furthermore, the Council resolved to waive permit fees for the CBDC Youth Ventures Program for a five-year term, approved updates to town banking arrangements, and initiated a process to obtain quotes for various road repairs. Additionally, the Council discussed contacting a planning firm to conduct a statutory review of the Town Plan and evaluated potential applications for the New Horizons for Seniors Funding Program.

The meeting addressed water disconnections for arrears accounts, discussing the status of disconnection notices and challenges in finding someone to complete the disconnections. Council members considered waiting until warmer weather to proceed and decided to contact a contractor for work in May, along with purchasing necessary equipment. A discussion was held regarding concerns over the mayor trying to find out what a specific business in the town is earning annually. Council also discussed development permitting issues raised by a resident, deciding to send a letter requesting future complaints be brought directly to the Aquaforte Town Council. Lastly, the council approved donations to The Long Walk for Mental Health and the Baltimore School Awards Night Banquet.

The council discussed rescheduling a meeting with the Our Lady of Fatima Park Committee due to weather, and decided against installing an electric vehicle charging station. They also decided to send a letter to the Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs requesting approval to appoint Earon Kavanagh as Councillor after unsuccessful by-election nomination calls, and adopted the Code of Conduct. The council reviewed information for sending arrears accounts to Credit Recovery Ltd., discussed the pumphouse exhaust fan inspection, and deferred policies review to the next public meeting. They also planned to offer defibrillator training to residents, reviewed the 2023 Tax Structure, and discussed enforcing fees for advertisement signage. Additionally, the council addressed correspondence, including a request for address validation from Bell Aliant, a request to replace a pole light, and a request to post the tax structure in Shoreline. They approved Bell Aliant's request to install a fiber cabinet, discussed water for the Town Hall, received an email scheduling an audit, and reviewed increased insurance premiums. The council accepted a resignation letter from a councilor, discussed a gift for the outgoing town clerk, and addressed estate taxes.

The meeting addressed various topics, including pumphouse repairs, donation requests to organizations such as Janeway Foundation, Operation Smile, and Easter Seals, and a fire protection agreement with the Town of Ferryland. The council discussed property tax matters, committee reports, and financial statements. New business included a tax exemption application, a culvert issue on Riverhead Road, a business tax payment plan from Aqua Crab Producers, and forwarding arrears accounts to Credit Recovery Limited for collections. The council also covered the audit completion, potential uses for Federal Gas Tax funds, pay increases for the Pumphouse Manager and Town Clerk, an environmental engineering project by MUN/MNL, and a successful Canadian Heritage Grant application for Canada Day celebrations.