Wednesday March 7, 2012
Chairman Darrell Shadd called to order the Board meeting of the Shrewsbury Community Association at 7:04 pm on Wednesday March 15, 2012 in the Shrewsbury Church hall.
Secretary Terry Lynn Murphy listed the following persons as present:
President Darrell Shadd
Vice-President Mark Lucio
Secretary Terry Lynn Murphy
Financial Officer (Treasurer) Ken Bell
Board Member Mary Shadd
Community Member Ryan Charlton
Community Member Anne Legue
Community Member Charlene Vaughan
Community Member Johnny Washington
Secretary Terry Lynn Murphy read the minutes from the Board Meeting, held on February 15, 2012.
Amendment: Under “Budget for Charity Status”, Financial Officer Ken Bell suggested that the phrase “fictitious budget” be replaced with “business plan”.
All agreed.
Property Tax, Garbage Collection
It was suggested and agreed that those in the municipality responsible for the above services would be invited speak on the subjects if possible.
Vice-president Mark Lucio seconded the motion.
Mark Lucio suggested that before meeting with Frank Vercoutern, Karen Herman and Rick Turner, a list of questions are drawn up and presented to them.
President Darrell Shadd suggested that Rick Turner of Waterfowlers be asked to present the views of his organization. This was seconded by Mark Lucio.
Neighbourhood Watch
The suggestion was made that Neighbourhood Watch be invited to discuss the sign. Donna Turk suggested that the police officer assigned to community policing give the talk.
Mark indicated that subcommittees may be needed if we take over neighbourhood watch. Ken suggested that we could provide a forum by which neighbourhood watch could be reorganized. Board member Mary Shadd spoke with Donna Turk who is looking to merge with the Shrewsbury Community Association. Ken will liason with Donna and Mary will gather the information. The Board of the Shrewsbury Community Association will extend an invitation to Donna or someone from Neighbourhood Watch to attend a board meeting.
Community Member Johnny Washington indicated that he is a member of Neighbourhood Watch in the capacity of Block Captain. President Darrell Shadd said that there are still a number of members who belong to Neighbourhood Watch. Johnny indicated that it was 6 to 12 persons. All the officers are gone or are going. Wendy who is an officer is here in the summer. Darrell asked if the group was organized or unorganized. Johnny stated that the only officer left is John Boswell, who is the treasurer. Darrell stated that he has no interest in taking over Neighbourhood Watch. Ken offered that a call be issued to the community for volunteers. Anne posited that this would allow for the recruitment of new people.
Mary suggested that someone from Neighbourhood Watch speak on their behalf. Johnny indicated that the group uses the church for meetings and the bike rodeo. The church can be used to facilitate any community activities. He suggested that John Boswell be invited to the community meeting. Since Mary was contacted by Donna Turk, she will ask Donna to designate someone to speak at the Shrewsbury Community Association General Membership Meeting on Wednesday April 4, 2012.
Re-purposed 2 x 4’s
Re-purposed 2 x 4’s gathered during Earth Day cleanup to be used for community garden hardscaping.
Drainage
Darrell spoke with Patrick Bates who indicated that anything with fish in it, the municipality will not touch. The ditch is put there to drain the road, not individual properties. If the water is running through the culvert, this indicates that it is working. There is no official drainage plan for Shrewsbury. Limited resources affect funding. Without a drainage plan, the elevation cannot be properly sighted. Crews were down here for 2 weeks accomplishing very little. The main concern is costs totally $3,000.00 split between the city and taxpayer at $1500.00/laneway.
Ken will compile information that was gathered then present it in a proposal. He will report at the next board meeting. It was offered that the best way to drain Shrewsbury is to dyke it and pump the water up.
Johnny indicated that a large portion of the community is concerned with drainage. Darrell said that an updated view based on factual information will address the drainage issue at the next meeting. Johnny held that the community is of the understanding that the drainage ditches are the responsibility of the municipality. Someone should come and speak with the community.
Ken asked what are the laws and specifics of Shrewsbury? Mary’s concern is that there is no plan in place without solution or direction. Ken indicated that we need a drainage plan for Shrewsbury then the plan has to be implemented. Darrell reminded that we are gatherers of information. Let the politicians do their job and make someone come and address the issue. Johnny pointed out that the community needs a clear answer.
Purchase of Digital Voice Recorder
Information re: specifications and price points were presented by Secretary Terry Lynn Murphy to the board members.
It was agreed that the general membership would be asked for their permission to record meetings for the purpose of accurate transcription of meeting minutes.
Johnny offered to cover the cost of the purchase of the digital voice recorder and would welcome donations from board members.
Through his church group, Mark will look for a better price. Forward the specs to Mark.
It was suggested that the community be reminded that donations are welcomed.
Sound Equipment
Contact to be made with Terry Bird who offered the use of sound equipment for subsequent meetings.
Johnny will contact Terry re: sound equipment.
Business Cards
Business card design was approved by board members. Ken will email the logo to the printer. A check was made by individual board members of the information that is to appear on the business cards.
Shadow Construction has generously offered to cover the cost of having the business cards printed in color.
All in Favour
The information for the business cards will be submitted so that they will be available for the next general meeting.
Garbage
Mark indicated that Raglan Road is not included in Shrewsbury as an organized community. Johnny stated that people on Raglan Road consider themselves part of Shrewsbury.
Mark read a letter from Rick Cusara which indicated that there are 345 properties in Shrewsbury. The petition could be circulated at a public meeting. The petition contains the addresses of the properties and must be signed by the landowner. The cost of garbage pickup would be $51.46/$100,000.00 assessment/year/house, $101.32/$100,000.00/year/commercial. Pickup would commence January 2013.
Mark suggested that the community be offered a breakdown of the costs. In order to make this a reality, we have to have a strategy. The petition should be circulated at the next general meeting.
Anne: “How many must sign petition?” Mark: “At least half.” Johnny indicated that there are over 250 people here fulltime. Mark stated that the owner must sign the petition. The fee covers weekly pickup.
Earth Day
Businesses will help out if you approach them. Sobey’s are good at donating food. Outline your plans on letterhead. Organizations that could be listed are: Neighbourhood Watch, Shrewsbury-Raglan Assembly, Waterfowlers, Shrewsbury Community Association, Shrewsbury Baptist Church.
Johnny said that anything we do at the church, we do not do it for pay. If you ask people to volunteer, you should feed them.
Earth day could involve the community garden, food areas, festivals, recycling of used eye glasses, different environmentally themed activities, maple syrup, dinner and dance. The more kids we get involved, the better.
Mark indicated that fundraising for the summer must be organized and implemented. He suggests that we speak with those who put on the pig roast last year.
Are we raising fund for the organization on Earth Day? A determination has to be made as to what the day will consist of. A fundraiser could be part of it. Community Member Charlene Vaughan suggested a bake sale.
Darrell said that we have to determine if this is going to be a yearly event. Ken believed that it is about community coming together and making your environment better. A fundraiser can be added to the activities. Darrell called for ideas that could be presented to the community. He went on to say that maybe Earth Day should be kept as Earth Day. An agenda is needed for Earth Day. Mary said that by adding more activities it becomes labour intensive and that it is best to stick to Earth Day.
Darrell: We should ask the community what events they would like to take place on Earth Day.
All in Favour
Ken will compose the letter with the particulars associated with Earth Day. This letter on letterhead will be used to solicit donations from Sobey’s and Canadian Tire. The letter will be ready in 7 to 8 days. Johnny asked that the names of the board member are listed as footer on the letterhead.
Darrell suggested that the various community groups have input as to what they would like to see on Earth Day, with a representative present at the general meeting to be held on Wednesday April 4, 2012. Johnny asked that the Shrewsbury-Raglan Assembly be approached and asked for use of the centre, which would show inclusion. He also suggested that things be kept simple. We have to see how the community is going to respond.
Final Earth Day agenda to be submitted to the Blenheim Tribune by April 18, 2012.
Contacts to be made: Shrewsbury-Raglan Assoc. Johnny
Rick Turner Darrell
Neighbourhood Watch Mary
Gardeners Group Terry Lynn
At the next general meeting a call will be issued for volunteers and ideas for Earth Day. Charlene will draft an article for the Blenheim Tribune.
Sign
Received funding for sign, bike racks and benches. Two mock ups for sign will be presented at next general meeting. Fundraisers must be undertaken to raise half of the monies the community is required to supply.
By-law
Re: Meeting minutes, Wednesday February 15, 2012. “Johnny had two suggestions to be included in the by-laws. All business related…community meeting.”
Motion put forward by Darrell Shadd
Research information obtained by Shrewsbury Community Association Board must be passed by a majority at a general community meeting before final action can take place.
Agreed
Johnny still has a concern about consensus. We as a board ought to know what is being done on our behalf.
Concerning guest speakers:
Motion put forward by Mark Lucio
Guest speakers must be approved by the majority of all members present prior to the start of a general meeting.
Seconded, Ken Bell
Johnny questions how it can be approved in a few seconds.
Motion to accept by Mark Lucio
Guest speakers must be approved by a majority of all the board members present prior to the start of a general meeting.
Seconded, Ken Bell
Darrell stated that his responsibility is to control the goings on at general meetings.
Johnny strongly indicated that a dangerous precedence has been set.
Darrell reiterated that all we as a board are doing is presenting information gathered and that there was no difference between sitting in the audience or at the head table. Johnny said that we have a responsibility to the public. There are standards.
Ken said kudos was received for the meeting and that the membership was excited about it.
Mary suggested that a disclaimer could be attached with the guest speaker.
Darrell pointed out that the issue was about the time frame and the location of the guest speaker. Mary recommended that the guest speaker be seated in the front row. Darrell voiced the concern that we may all have in what the guest speaker may say.
Tabled: The issue of time frame and notification of guest speaker.
Moved by Johnny Washington
Shrewsbury Community Association Board meeting to be held either after the General Community meeting on Wednesday April 4, 2012 or on Tuesday April 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm.
President Darrell Shadd adjourned the meeting at 10:00 pm.
Minutes submitted by: Secretary Terry Lynn Murphy
Minutes approved by: