It was a fairly short meeting with a very busy agenda as Bay Bulls council disposed of a boat load of business earlier this month.
However, a lack of quorum left council hamstrung on a couple of development applications.
With only Mayor Harold Mullowney, Deputy Mayor Wendy O'Driscoll and councillors Eric Maloney and Patrick Coady in attendance and councillors Evelyn Tucker and Joan Luby absent, there weren't enough councillors in a position to vote if a possible conflict of interest arose. As a result, two Crown Land application referrals were deferred, but one application to develop land was approved.
An unspecified matter regarding conflict of interest was also deferred. No details about the subject, or to whom it pertained, was disclosed at the meeting.
In other council news:
• The Town of Bay Bulls has approved two donation requests from community groups seeking money.
The local council of the Knights of Columbus wrote the Town seeking a financial contribution towards its annual Christmas Hamper drive, while Mobile Central High School requested a contribution towards its scholarship program.
Mayor Harold Mullowney noted the Town contributes to both programs every year and the money is already budgeted for it. The exact amounts the groups will receive was not specified.
• The Town of Bay Bulls has received permission from the province to postpone a by-election until early in the New Year.
The Town has tried a number of times to fill one remaining vacant seat on council but has not received any takers.
Two seats came open earlier this year when councillors Kevin O'Brien and Philip Burton resigned citing work commitments. Patrick Coady was acclaimed to a council seat in the initial call for nominations, leaving one seat left to fill.
• Pennecon has been given the go ahead to dump snow in the ocean this winter from its harbour property in Bay Bulls.
"The only consideration obviously is that it be monitored such that there is no environmental hazard created by it," said Mayor Mullowney. "The Department of Environment will be monitoring that as opposed to us."
• The Town has renewed its four-year funding commitment to the Bay Bulls to Bauline Athletic Association.
The town provides the BBBAA with $37,000 annually, a figure which is matched by the Town of Witless Bay, to cover the association's senior staff costs. The group acts as a quasi recreation department for both councils.
• Council has agreed to explore the possibility of hiring Telelink to provide an automated contact system to all residents so that it can provide emergency notices and updates on snow issues, road closures and other traffic or service disruptions. Mayor Mullowney said it would involve the Town paying a nominal fee per month.
• The East Coast Trail Association has contacted the Town of Bay Bulls about the possibility of combining efforts with the Town of Witless Bay to host a major fundraiser for the group.
"That's the hope, we're not there yet, but we're working on it," Mullowney said. "If it comes to pass, that will be this June coming."
