Annual General Meeting of the Hunter-Clyde Watershed Group

February 8th 2006, New Glasgow Firehall, New Glasgow, PEI

Attendance:

Andrew Lush - President

Janet Lester

Bob Bentley

Mike Gauthier

Steve Howatt

Emily Howatt

Jim Newson

1. Minutes from previous meeting - not available

2. 2005 Water Quality Monitoring Results - a study by Emily McGuire

Emily has collated and analysed the nitrate levels and temperature from four sample points in the river over the period July to October. She gave an excellent presentation of her study, which has been undertaken as a school science project. The conclusions are that the nitrate levels are lower than expected and that further study, particularly of the Phosphorous and Oxygen levels, would be beneficial. All present thanked Emily for her work.

3. Financial Statement. Janet handed out a statement for the year to 31st December 2005. The bank balance at that time was $2,931.87. We should look into getting pre-printed receipt books for memberships.

4. Employing a secretary. Andrew proposed that we employ a secretary for the purpose of taking minutes at meetings, handling membership renewals, member recruitment, calling members before meetings, newsletter production and sending articles to the Northern Star. It was proposed that we pay $15 per hour for half or one day per month, initially for a trial period of 6 months. All were in agreement. Andrew will draft a job description and get a copy to the executive for approval.

5. Appointment of officers. The president proposed that all officers continue in their current positions except for Luke Stern, who will be replaced as a Director at Large by Jim Newson. All were in agreement.

6. Budget and workers for 2006. Andrew reported that we are applying for funding for a supervisor through the Summer Career Placements program, two workers through the Watershed Management Fund and one worker through the Wildlife Conservation Fund. The WCF, being now managed by a private board, must be applied for separately. The Environmental Futures Program may be able to provide a crew for planting trees in July. Their supervisors may be available for site prep and planting work in June. We will also apply for 1,500 potted trees through the Greening Spaces Program.

7. The Sea Cadets will be able to help us with a spring workday at the start of June. They want it to be an environmental educational experience. They have offered to help out in some other way, possibly with a membership drive, in return for a contribution to their funds.

8.Work Plan for 2006. We have a number of places on the watershed where work could be done, finding places has not been a problem in the past. Also there is a bridge which has collapsed into a brook, we could be a channel for funding for this project but it may not be approved. Mike Gauthier and Steve Howatt will be asked to provide input on where and what water sampling should be done in 2006, it was mentioned that Phosphorous and Oxygen might be tested for, and sampling might be done above and below the bridge in Rustico.

9. Newsletter. It was agreed to wait until we have our permanent secretary before we put out a newsletter. The next newsletter should contain an article on how the membership donations were used, showing the percentage going to projects, admin, materials etc.

10. New business. All present gave their thanks to Danny Nisbet for his help during the summer of 2005.

The website has had 6,259 visits during 2005 with 10,758 page viewings.

Andrew will ask Shawn about the possibility of getting a fold-out display board for the group.

It was suggested that we put donation boxes at tourist sites.