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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD-31-86 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File # Res_ # By-Law # METING: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE DATE: MAY 20, 1986 REPORT #: CD-31-86 FILE #: 35.31.19. SUB.ECT: RETURN OF CENTENNIAL ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY IN DARLINGTON PROVINCIAL PARK. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1 . It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1 . That Report CD-31-86 be received; and 2. That a by-law be passed authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute an amending agreement with Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources, respecting the return of the artifacts .subject to certain conditions; and 3. That dry storage space be acquired to accommodate the artifacts until such time .as they can be placed on display through the museum; and 4. That dry storage facilities be rented to house the artifacts at a cost not to exceed $70.00 per month, and that Council authorize the expenditure of the funds from the "Unclassified Administration Account"; and 5. That the Ministry of Natural Resources be thanked for their co-operation in returning the artifacts to the municipality. BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: Council , on Monday, February 10, 1986, received a communication dated January 22, 1986, from the Ministry of Natural Resources, offering to return to the Town of Newcastle, the artifacts on display in the log cabin erected in Darlington Park as a Centennial Project in 1966. The direction of Council was, that the Clerk contact the Ministry and discuss the return of the artifacts. Continued . . . . ./2 Report CD-31-86 - 2 - ` May 20, 1986 ` Pursuant to that direction, a meeting attended by representatives of the Ministry, the Bowmanville Museum, and the writer, was held on site. The artifacts would be a very worthwhile addition to the collection of the Museum and the opinion was that we should actively seek their return. The Ministry has prepared an amending agreement which would authorize the return of all of the artifacts subject only to one minor condition: "that the Town agrees to make available at no cost to the Crown, from time-to-time, certain of the chattels and furnishings as may be agreed upon by the parties for the purposes of display in Darlington Provincial Park." One other condition has been negotiated and agreed to by the Ministry. The Ministry has included at our request, a clause wherein, "The Crown agrees to be responsible for the future maintenance and repair of the Darlington Centennial Project and will make no claims against the municipality for maintenance or repairs which have been performed during the period from March 2nd 1966 to the date of the execution of this agreement." Staff of the Ministry have agreed to deliver the artifacts to any location determined by the Town at their cost. The problem to be addressed, is where can the artifacts be stored. The Museum Curator has indicated that there is no space available at the Bowmanville Museum, and while we might store them on the stage in the Town Hall , this would necessitate their being removed within a year because of the construction of the new administrative facility. Since storage space is at a premium, it would be appropriate to lease dry storage in which to house these artifacts for a period of approximately eighteen months, this being the estimated time-frame for construction of a new administrative facility. On completion of the new Town Hall , a temporary storage area might be established in the basement for the artifacts until the Museum is in a position to take possession of them. Continued . . . . ./3 Report CD-31-86 - 3 - f May 20, 1986 The Agreement as revised assures that no future claims will be made against the Town. Further, the Ministry has agreed to deliver the chattels to any location we select without charge. While costs may exist, they will be limited.to the costs associated with the rental of dry storage on a monthly basis at the rate of $70.00 per month. In that regard, it will be necessary for Council to authorize the expenditure and direct that the funds be taken from the Unclassified Administration Account. Respectfully submitted, fDovid W. Oakes, B.A. , A.M.C.T. , C.M.O. , wn Clerk. a DWO/ms May 8, 1986