By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
Sidewalks
With confirmation that the Town of Castor will be receiving the same funding as 2019 levels for a gas tax refund, council is going forward with repairing several of the worst sidewalks in town.
In total, the gas tax fund money will total $105,000, which can be used for infrastructure in the community.
Over the last several years the Town has made a habit of repairing the sidewalks, as they qualify under the funding. For 2020, council has opted to repair the sidewalk on 50th Ave. from 48A St. to the walking path, the east side of 45th St. from the alley to 50th Ave. (by Manor II), the south side of 50th Ave. between 49th and 50th Streets (by the Cosmopolitan Hotel), and the west side of 50th St. between 51st Ave. and 52nd Ave.
The work will be commencing in early August.
Tax recovery
It turns out that a home at 4906 50th Ave. which has been taken by the Town of Castor due to tax forfeiture has quite a few items inside it.
After giving the former owners of the property ample opportunity to come retrieve their property, which they have not done, council has made the decision to sell off the items - garage sale style.
Once the items are sold, the resident will have 90 days to request the funds, after which any funds raised will go towards back taxes owed on the property.
Any items not sold at the sale will be taken to the dump as garbage.
For the sale, only items valued over $5 will be sold, and the sale will be run by a Town staff member.
The tax roll of the property will be charged for any expenses incurred in the sale. More information will be updated as it becomes available.
Tidying up the Municipal Accountability Review flagged items
One of the items flagged by the Municipal Accountability Review Program was the listed address for the Town of Castor at the office’s previous location (in the library building).
Under the Municipal Government Act, the address needs to be current, therefore Town council officially named 4901 50th Ave. as the Town of Castor’s Municipal office.
Radio spots
The Town of Castor’s council previously requested administration to find the cost of radio advertising, highlighting the town as a place to live. Chief Administrative Officer Christopher Robblee reported during the July 27th meeting that four days of ads, with three ads a day on the Stettler radio station, was only $150.
Council has directed administration to bring back some promotional options for the radio spots.