A large number of changes have been made to Bashaw’s water and wastewater utility bylaw.
Each section of each page was sifted through at the Thurs. Nov. 7 meeting.
A large concern centred around how and what to charge residents who have lines that continuously freeze throughout the winter months.
The homeowner is in charge of the lines from the property line to the premise while the town is responsible for anything leading up to the property line including underneath roadways and sidewalks.
A troublesome section of the proposed bylaw was having the homeowner pay for the installation and physical water meter to their home.
It was added that any water meters are not to be tampered with in any way or removed by anyone.
Within the fine print, councillors had an issue with one particular sentence in the bylaw.
It stated that although the new homeowner is to pay and install the water meter (which is mandatory), the town owns the meter. This raised some red flags.
The perception is that once the equipment is in place, it would remain with the house like any other fixture.
Council agreed to have this section changed to reflect a more fair perspective.
Every year, it is no longer required to have each homeowner’s water meter tested. It will be by the owner’s request only.
If public works finds it to be outside of a three per cent accuracy range, the meter will need to be replaced.
This replacement would be covered by the town.
Administration proposed bleeders/freeze protection mean ‘a device attached to a water service for the purpose of discharging water so as to reduce the potential for freezing in the line.
This device is commonly known as a trickle valve.
Bashaw Youth Foundation
Jennifer Elias and Amanda Lyle shared their experiences and the statistics of the Bashaw Youth Foundation as part of a yearly report before budget season is in full swing.
Elias mentioned that after school programming has shown new attendance and is “running smoothly.”
The foundation focuses on ages five to 11.
“We provide as much as possible fun – obviously we want them to have fun – but also educational activities consistently encouraging kids to think independently through learning and play to gain confidence in themselves because a lot of our kids, we notice, do not have a lot of self-confidence,” said Elias.
One of their most successful programs continues to be the creative cooking classes as well as up and coming STEM program focused on science, technology and math.
For older children, the foundation is at the school twice a week. Field trips in the summer were a highlight for many
Over the course of the year, they recorded 31 volunteers clocking 350 hours.
The youth centre is primarily run by grants and fundraising like the Bashaw and District Support Services (BDSS) at $19,000, federal funding at $25,600 and provincial funding at $7,000.
The foundation does not have a surplus despite the conditions.
Elias noted they are working with a small budget when it comes to summer programming.
“It just looks like you don’t really need our money though,” said CAO Fuller.
Elias referred council to their bookkeeper for monetary questions and explained that many of the grants they receive have strict conditions attached as to where this money can be spent.
Council commended the club on their success keeping their budget in the black.
Lift Station grinder replacement
Public works noted that the lift station’s grinder is in dire need of replacement after making some unruly noises.
Public Works Foreman Murray Holroyd suspects the issues began when an RV sewer hose has somehow been dropped into the system.
Council agreed to have the grinder replaced at a cost of $21,095 which was close to what it would cost to repair it.
Public works staff will be able to remove and install the new grinder themselves.
Efforts will be made to rebuild their reserves in the new year.
Terri Huxley
ECA Review
