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Town of Castor signs contract with Government of Alberta to participate in Municipal Stimulus Program

Council also approved an expenditure of around $6,800 to the Battle River Economic Opportunities Committee
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By Kevin J. Sabo

For the Advance

The Town of Castor has signed a contract with the Government of Alberta regarding the Municipal Stimulus Program.

Signing the contract was a requirement by the government and doing so allows the Town of Castor to present “shovel-ready” projects to the government for funding.

With the contract signed, the Town now has until later this fall to request funding for projects.

Project requirements for the program include creating work for Albertans and reducing ‘red-tape’ in the municipality. Any funding approved for these projects must be used by Dec. 31st, 2021.

Any unused funds beyond that time must be returned to the provincial government coffers.

“The municipality shall undertake actions to encourage investment and/or reduce the administrative burden (‘red tape’) imposed on local businesses and residents to the satisfaction of the Minister of the Municipality…” reads the contract.

“We already have a couple plans for this money,” said Town of Castor CAO Christopher Robblee, without expanding further on potential projects.

BREOC sustainability funding

The Town of Castor Council has approved an expenditure of around $6,800 to the Battle River Economic Opportunities Committee (BREOC) to go towards expenses of the Battle River Innovation Centres located in Castor and Forestberg.

All member municipalities in BREOC were asked to contribute to the expenses that are “ineligible” under the centres’ current funding through Western Diversification. Castor’s share of the expenses is approximately 10 per cent of the yearly anticipated expenses incurred by the centres.

BREOC did request that Castor approve the funding for a two-year term, however council felt it prudent to pay for one year followed by an in-person update on BREOC and the centres before funding is continued for a second year.

The motion was put forward by Coun. Rod Zinger and subsequently carried.

Coronation fire radios

The Town of Coronation Fire Department radios failed about a month ago. Castor, being a partner to the local Emergency Management system, has been requested to cost share the necessary repairs.

One obstacle with the repairs is that where the fire radios were mounted, on the community’s water tower, is coming down, so a new location needs to be found - at a significant cost.

The Town of Castor has agreed to cost share for the radio system parts and labour, however, has also directed administration to notify the Town of Coronation that they will not assist with the locating or engineering of a new radio tower.

Total cost to the Town of Castor will be around $13,000 for the parts and labour.