By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
The County of Paintearth has approved a change to a policy governing its spraying and mowing program.
A subtle change, the change is being made at the request of Jeff Cosens, the director of environmental services, to more clearly indicate who is responsible for ratepayer gate damage due to mowers.
Previous, policy ESA 005 stated that, “ASB would also ask that any gates that you would like to leave open please have leaning against the fence.”
However, the policy did not clearly outline who was responsible for a gate if damaged by a mower if the gate was not left standing.
To clearly outline responsibility, council has approved the addition “8. The responsibility of the landowners gate if left in the County ditch is solely with them.”
Castor library
County of Paintearth council received a funding request from the Castor Library for their annual support.
For 2021, the library board is requesting an increase in funding to $7,500 to better support programming and service level increases from the previous year.
Appointed to the library board during the previous council meeting, Deputy Reeve Doreen Blumhagen spoke favourably of the request.
“I have attended one meeting with the Castor Library board, and yes, there will be considerable changes,” said Blumhagen during the March 23rd meeting.
The $7,500 funding request was passed through a motion made by Coun. George Glazier.
Expiring resolution
A resolution put forth by the County of Paintearth in 2018 at the Rural Municipalities Association (RMA) meeting requesting that the provincial government create a ‘Renewable Energy Division’ of the Alberta Energy Regulator is set to expire this year.
The motion was originally put forward by the RMA while the previous New Democratic Party government was in power, and while acknowledging they received the motion, they failed to take any action on it. The current United Conservative Party Government has not taken any action with the motion either.
“We don’t want to let it die,” said Reeve Schulmeister.
Councillor Tyrrill Hewitt moved to resubmit the resolution at a future RMA convention, with the hope that the ruling government will take action with it.
Retirement
A long-term employee of the County of Paintearth is retiring, and per the current Human Resources Policy, is entitled to recognition of service.
Under the policy, a long-term employee is entitled to a cash gift of $200/year for years one to nine, and $500/year for years 10 to 40, a plaque recognizing years of service, a gift certificate valued at $100 for dining out, and an engraved watch.
Under a second recognition policy, the employee is also entitled to a cash gift of $50/year for years one to nine, and $100/year for years 10 to 40.
Council approved the payout, per the policy. The employee was not named during the meeting.