By Carson Ellis
For the Stettler Independent
Paintearth County had a light agenda for its Nov. 15 council meeting.
Council addressed a request for a decision on the county’s policy for recognition of service and retirement. For recognition of service, administration employees can receive $50 per year for the first nine years, and a cash gift valued at $100 per year for 10 or more years.
The retirement portion of the same would be valued at $200 per year for the first nine years, and $500 per year for 10 to 40 years. In addition, they would receive an inscribed plaque, an engraved watch and a $100 gift certificate for dining out. Both gifts were passed with motions by Coun. George Glazier and Coun. Dale Norton respectively.
Friends of the Coronation School have requested a donation of funds or in-kind work towards their proposed playground upgrades, including inclusive equipment. Similar donations made previously were checked by assistant chief administrative officer (CAO) Lana Roth, who noted that previous donations made in 2019 and 2020 for Castor and Coronation were in the amount of $5,000 each.
The group hopes for an answer by Nov. 27 so they can proceed with other applications. Coun. Maurice Wiart motioned that more information on the project and what the school is looking for be requested, noting that the council could decide on donations via email to not slow the application process. The motion was carried.
The subject of erecting stop signs on the north and south sides of Range Road 152, where it intersects with Township Road 400 was next due to concerns about increased traffic and sightlines at that intersection. The increased traffic is near the laydown yard for the Halkirk Two Wind project. The stop signs can be erected for the project’s duration with the option to return to existing yield signs later. Coun. Sandy Shipton’s motion to put the signs in was carried.
The recent Rural Municipalities Association Conference, which several council members attended, was discussed in councillor reports. The conference was well received, and many things were found to be of interest for further review. Coun. Stan Schulmeister also reported that the Paintearth Economic Partnership Society (PEPS) reportedly has $2,900 in PEPS bucks. They are also planning to continue to accept PEPS bucks from Castor businesses, despite the town withdrawing from the program. Councillor reports were accepted as information with a motion by Coun. Shipton.
Assistant CAO Roth’s report was mostly regarding the County office roof; a request for tenders to replace the complete roof with tin has been issued, but administration has yet to receive any response. Roth polled the council members on how administration should proceed, specifically, on whether they should use an insurance claim for damages to a portion of the building roof or if the council feels that the tender for tin replacement can be left open for the time being. Ultimately, council determined that the tender could be left over the winter in the hopes that someone bid for spring.
Brownfield Recreation Board has also requested the council pay for the cost of the turkeys for their upcoming turkey dinner. Council had sponsored the turkeys last year but opted out of doing so for this year.
Both the CAO and Assistant CAO reports were accepted as information by Councillors Norton and Shipton.
Roth then addressed the budget report. General revenue is up, largely due to interest rates on GICs held by the County.
There is also a surplus in expenses due to operations for the Recreation board being less than budgeted, the Public Works department not needing to distribute as much gravel as budgeted for and less snow removal needed up to this point. Coun. Wiart’s motion to accept the budget report carried.