Castor town council discussed a fire services grant at their regular meeting on Sept. 9..
Council reviewed correspondence from Municipal Affairs, regarding a grant that would fund Alberta’s 2025 Fire Services Training program. The $500,000 allocated in the fund would be distributed to various communities in Alberta.
The grant would support Alberta communities in providing adequate training for local fire services, stated the correspondence.
The approved courses under the grant would focus on key outcomes such as preservation of public safety, effective community risk management by local authorities and training for firefighters in alignment with best practices.
The training program would help prepare fire departments across the province with the necessary knowledge and skills to protect their communities.
During discussions it was noted that Deputy Mayor Kevin McDougall was stepping down from the fire department after 20 years of service and would now help in an auxiliary capacity.
Council members expressed their gratitude for his contributions.
“We were lucky to have you in our fire department,” said Coun. Don Sisson.
Council directed administration to apply for the Alberta’s 2025 Fire Services Training program grant.
Electricity tender
Council reviewed new electricity rates as the Town of Castor’s current electricity contract expires on Dec. 31, 2025.
In previous years, the municipality partnered with Unified Energy 8760 Ltd. and discussed the possibility of participating in a Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) public tender for electricity this fall.
The forecasted electricity rates for a three-year term, from Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2028 and range between 6.8 and seven cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
“They didn’t give us a very good rate,” noted McDougall, pointing out that longer terms result in higher rates.
Council authorized administration to execute the agreement and participate in the RMA electricity tender for a period of three years, beginning Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2028, with a rate range of 6.8 to seven cents kWh.
Lease terminated
A letter was sent to tenants at 6006 – 51 Street, notifying them of a rent increase to $1,000 per month from $500, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Council determined that the increase was necessary due to inflation, noting that there had been no increase since the tenants began renting the property in 2015.
The letter was to provide sufficient notice to allow the tenants ample time to plan for the increase. In the letter the tenants were given the option that if they do not accept the new terms, they may terminate the lease and vacate the premises.
A response from the tenant dated Aug. 28 notified council that they did not accept the terms and would be vacating the premises by Oct. 31, 2024.
Cheryl Bowman
Multimedia reporter
ECA Review
