By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
The Village of Halkirk is progressing with the Berry Street paving project.
The decision was made to proceed with the project under the Municipal Stimulus Program Grant, which allows the municipality to apply for up to $50,000 of funding for municipal infrastructure.
Coun. Sherry Jamieson actually moved the project during the August meeting, however after preliminary discussions with MPE Engineering LTD. it was found that the project would likely cost more than the $50,000 through the stimulus grant.
As a requirement of the Municipal Stimulus Program, work on the project would have to be completed by the end of 2021. The project will replace around 225 to 250 ft. of road on Berry Street, as well as add in 125 ft. of sidewalk to tie into existing sidewalk.
During the Sept. 9th council meeting council discussed the increased cost of the project, however decided it needed to be done.
The initial $50,000 of the project will be completed through the grant, and the remainder of the funding will be decided later. MPE Engineering LTD. has been tapped to complete the project and will have a full estimate to submit with the grant application by Sept. 15th.
Letter of support
Village of Halkirk council is throwing its support behind the City of Cold Lake’s plan to lobby the federal government to cancel the changes made to the ‘Regulations Amending the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components, Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited, Restricted or Non-Restricted’ that were passed by an Order in Council earlier this year.
“The Council of the Village of Halkirk wishes to express their support of this motion,” states a letter being sent to the Honourable Bill Blair, the minister of public safety & emergency preparedness.
“The Village of Halkirk supports initiatives to end violence; however, council feels that the Government of Canada is wasting valuable resources and taking the wrong approach to gun control.
“We feel that the federal government’s gun ban will be an expensive exercise that will only serve to take law abiding people’s property, while doing nothing to reduce crime. Municipalities are the level of government closest to the people and we feel it is important to speak out on their behalf regarding this issue.”
Increase in ATCO Franchise Fee
The Village of Halkirk will be raising the franchise fee that residents pay for their electricity.
The franchise fee, which was previously set at three per cent, was increased to five per cent during the Sept. 9th council meeting. As per regulations the Village will be advertising the increase before the change takes effect.