By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
Town of Castor council has decided not to fill the vacant RCMP steno/clerk position in Castor.
The loss of the casual position could have an impact for RCMP office services offered in Castor. Council’s decision to eliminate the position comes on the heels of a letter the Town has received from the County of Paintearth informing the Town that effective in 2020 their contribution towards the position would be frozen at 2019 levels and would remain there for three years.
The RCMP office in Castor is funded through an agreement between the County, Halkirk, Coronation, and Castor, with Castor overseeing the office. This funding freeze will not affect the permanent part-time position in the office, however with no casual clerk the office could be closed more frequently due to illness or the clerk covering at the RCMP main detachment office in Coronation.
“I believe we can fulfill the need of having an office open, and just have it closed the odd time when someone is sick,” said CAO Christopher Robblee.
“When they do cover off in Coronation this office would close, and that has happened in the past when the casual couldn’t make it in anyways.”
By not filling the position, the Town looks to save up to $7,000 in training costs for the new hire.
“I say we try it for a year, and if we get lots of backlash, we can re-examine it in 2021,” said Coun. Lonny Nelner, about not filling the vacant position.
“I think we (should) see what happens, and if we get lots of complaints, we can look at it again. It’s a way to save $7,000.”
Other highlights from the Aug. 19th meeting of council;
• Council accepted a presentation by Stewart Ford as information. Ford was presenting, offering to donate a chain of office with the community’s coat-of-arms on it at an estimated cost around $5,000. Council will make a decision at the next meeting.
• CAO Robblee presented the budget comparison for month ending in July. To date, Castor has raised 37 per cent of its 2019 revenues to date, a number expected to climb as tax rolls come in. As well, the Town has paid of its temporary operational borrowing.
• Council has agreed to donate a truck and employee to assist the golf course with a water storage project. The employee is expected to be assisting the golf course for three days.
• Administration has been reviewing the Town’s traffic bylaw to possibly allow off-highway vehicles on the Town roads. However, such a bylaw amendment would contravene the Traffic Safety Act and administration’s recommendation is that no amendment be made.
• Council has received another request for speed bumps on 45th St. south, by the golf course, signed by 12 of 16 residents along that stretch of road. Council has agreed to place two sets of speed bumps at the requested location until October.
• After review of the policy for clean-up of vacant properties, it has been found that it is redundant as everything in it falls under the Community Standards Bylaw and administration’s recommendation is that the policy be rescinded.
It will be discussed again at a future meeting.