Castor town councillors were stuck on the issue of whether or not to approve the recreation volunteer claim form which allows for volunteer coaches to claim payment for costs related to the necessary coursework required of them during the meeting on Mon. Jan. 23.
Volunteer coaches working with recreation programs are required by associations to be qualified and maintain a certain level of coursework depending on the level of the players and the sports they’re coaching. Many of the courses aren’t necessarily offered in rural areas the volunteers are required to travel.
While the Town of Castor currently reimburses the cost of the course there has been no set procedure to reimburse other expenses.
During the discussion council members brought forward questions and concerns regarding the issue.
“How many people go and where do they go,” said Coun. Kevin McDougall.
Assistant CAO Donna Roland said it really depends on where the course is located, and who and how many are volunteering to coach.
With the need for more information to make a decision council made a motion to table this item for a future meeting.
Firearms authorization
Council authorized the use of a firearm within town limits to four individuals who applied to be able to do so.
The authorization for the use of firearms is a standard procedure which occurs each year in January and the use is allowed for pest control, said Asst. CAO Roland.
“The authorization doesn’t mean that they are actually ever used so like maybe if there was an injured deer or something and we have to dispose of the animal then it might be used,” said Roland.
The decision to allow authorization was carried unanimously.
Baseball fees
With registration for the upcoming baseball season set to open in February council looked at the fees set for the divisions in the season.
The decision to approve this year’s baseball fees remaining the same as last year was carried unanimously.
Equipment rental
While the town currently has kayaks, snowshoes and a pickleball/bunnock set available to rent, the recreation board feels that the snowshoes have been under-utilized.
Council was told the reason for the snowshoes being under-utilized is that the COVID pandemic required the snowshoes to be shelved and put in storage.
“We will relocate the snowshoes to a more convenient location,” said Roland.
The decision to relocate the snowshoes was carried unanimously.
Regional emergency management
Council discussed the regional partnership exercise that the County of Paintearth is currently working on in order to stay compliant with the Alberta Emergency Management initiative.
Council agreed unanimously to support the initiative as the town would be taking part in the exercise.
“We want to support this because the town will be participating in it since it is a regional exercise,” said Roland.
Sarah Baker
ECA Review
