May11

E C A r e v i e w C o r o n a t i o n / S t e t t l e r , A b M a y 1 1 ' 1 7 3
Bashaw avoids tax increase
on operating budget
Lisa Joy
ECAReview reporter
Town of Bashaw council passed its
$1.8 million 2017 operating budget May
4 and residents will only see a .77 per
cent increase in taxes for the town’s
operations.
Council still has to discuss and pass
its 2017 capital budget.
The .77 per cent tax increase
amounts to an extra $710,655 that the
town needs for its operating budget
instead of the expected $757,304 shortfall.
In 2016 the town collected
$705,192.
Council sent the budget back to
administration at its April 20 meeting
for tweaking and to avoid a 4.9 per cent
tax increase. Coun. Lynn Schultz
praised the town for only a .77 per cent
increase.
“We did some refinements,” said
Bashaw Chief Administrative Officer
(CAO) Theresa Fuller.
She said since administration did
the draft budget in April, the town was
approved for an $8,400 STEP grant to
Deciding Botha’s future
Linda Stillinger
ECA Review Reporter
About a dozen residents gathered at
the Botha Community Centre on
Thurs., May 4 for a final review of the
community’s viability report.
Hosted by Viability Review Team
(VRT) members Linda Reynolds and
Sarah Ranson, both from Municipal
Affairs, the public information session
was the last opportunity for residents
to ask questions before they vote on
the future of their community.
Reynolds and Ranson highlighted
the critical determining factors found
in the viability report which demonstrate
that the Village of Botha is
clearly not viable at present.
High on the list was Botha’s
shortage of business taxpayers,
placing most of the burden on homeowners
to raise the revenues needed to
operate the village.
PAINTEARTH
Wild boars
by-law issue
Paintearth County resident raises
issue over by-law pertaining to
Paintearth County council will take
another look at the wording for “wild
boars” before passing the amended
Land Use By-law.
Council heard at their May 2 regular
council meeting that the addition to
the amended Land Use By-law prohibits
wild boars in the county,
however Chad Weber’s farming occupation
is cross breeding domestic sows
with wild boars.
Council was unaware of this
farming operation.
Weber has a market and has
recently purchased another barn to
expand his operation to 400 sows.
“Alberta Agriculture are the ones
with the fencing standards,” said
Agriculture Fieldman, Jeff Cosens
who was in attendance at the meeting.
Turn to Falcons, Pg 15
hire a student. In addition, projects
weren’t done last year that were budgeted,
such as painting the water
tower.
The town collects about $18,000 each
year for a Fortis franchise fee and this
year $13,000 of that will go towards
town beautification. Last year the
town only put $8,500 towards
beautification.
Renews auditor agreement
Council, during its regular meeting
May 4 unanimously voted in favour of
continuing with auditor Gitzel and
Company. The town’s contract with
them expires Dec. 31.
CAO Fuller said sometimes it’s good
to switch auditors.
“If you get too good of a rapport it
can be difficult and you can get a bias.”
Coun. Bryan Gust said there were
“advantages” to using the same
auditor adding that the town has used
them for “quite awhile.”
CAO Fuller agreed Gitzel and
Company are efficient.
With low revenues, the village is not
able to afford to hire and retain qualified
personnel to run the municipality
effectively.
An infrastructure audit revealed
over $3 million in required repairs and
upgrades with $1.2 million needed in
the first two years to ensure public
safety and health.
The village has no savings to draw
from to cope with any unforeseen
expenses or to plan for the future.
Two viability options face Botha
residents.
The first is that the Village of Botha
remains a village and implements
changes to achieve viability.
The second is to dissolve the Village
of Botha and become a hamlet in
Stettler County.
Few questions were posed following
the presentation.
After adjournment, a number of
attendees revealed that their decisions
had already been made and nothing
discussed in the information session
would change their votes.
One resident predicted a low voter
turnout, but hoped that apathy would
not leave this important community
decision in the hands of only a few
residents.
The vote on the future of the Village
of Botha will be held on Mon., May 15
at the Botha Community Centre.
Join the Anderson Family
in celebration of
Vivian
Anderson’s
80 th
Birthday
Sat., May 20
Come & Go 1:30 - 4 p.m.
Potluck Dinner at 4 p.m.
at the Drop In Centre
4929 Windsor Ave Coronation, Ab.
Cards to follow at 7 p.m. at the farm
Talking trash
Bashaw council is reviewing its contract
with Can Pak for garbage and
recycle pick up in town. They are in
the final year of a two-year extended
contract. The original contract was for
three years with an option for another
one or two-year extension.
Council discussed whether to have
garbage picked up in the front of
homes or in the back alleys.
CAO Fuller said the alleys are
taking a beating with the heavy trucks
driving on them when the road is soft
and wet.
“Those alleys take a pounding
because of it.”
Coun. Lynn Schultz said he didn’t
want to see garbage picked up in the
front streets and prefers to have it
picked up in back lane.
Big Valley
Bustout
Rodeo
Fri., May 26 at 6:00 pm
Sat., May 27 at 5:00 pm
Admission $10 per day
Children 6 and under FREE
Saturday Night Dance @ the
Agriplex following rodeo
$10 admission • No minors
Call Tom Cassidy for more info.
403-740-3488
County of Paintearth No. 18
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT
APPLICATIONS APPROVED
Notice is hereby given that the following
Development Permit Applications have
been approved:
DP1703 Mark and Jackie Morettin
NW22-39-11-W4
Variance to setback for pole shed
DP1706
Dave and Janey Till
SW4-38-8-W4
Replacement Residence with setback variance
DP1707
Travis Reitsema
SW14-39-14-W4
Manufactured home placement
Any person claiming to be affected by
such decision may appeal by giving Notice
in writing to the Secretary, Subdivision
and Development Appeal Board, County
of Paintearth No. 18, Box 509 Castor, AB
TOC OXO not later than 4:30 p.m., May
24, 2017. The Notice must contain the reason
for the appeal and pursuant to Bylaw
No. 580-09 Include the $200.00 fee.
Dated: May 11, 2017
Todd Pawsey,
Development Officer
In recognition of Canada’s national
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK
MAY 7 – 13, 2017
The County of Paintearth continues to promote a
public awareness campaign entitled “Preparedness
Begins at Home” and is making available the
following resources:
• Emergency Preparedness Guide
• 72 Hour Emergency Kit Checklist
• Family Emergency Planning – 5 Step Guide
These documents are available in a booklet at the
County office for no charge, or may be downloaded
from our website: www.countypaintearth.ca and
printed at home. Families are also encouraged
to check out www.getprepared.gc.ca for more
information on family preparedness planning.
The Count will also be sending out to rural
residences a planning form to be used in the
event of rural emergencies and disasters. All rural
residents are encouraged to complete it and return
to the County for use in emergencies only.
The County of Paintearth is providing these
resources in cooperation with Public Safety Canada
and the Alberta Emergency Management Agency.
Don’t wait until an emergency hits - please take
time with your family to prepare now!
Todd Pawsey, Director of Emergency Management
County of Paintearth No. 18
Community Enhancement Fund of
Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. and
Paintearth Regional Waste Management Ltd.
GRANTING GUIDELINES FOR 2017
For the 2017 granting cycle the Community Enhancement Fund of Progressive
Waste and PRWML anticipates awarding grants up to $25,000 and invites
applications for eligible projects from not for profit organizations, registered
charities, and community groups that provide services to the Paintearth
Region. The intent of this community fund is to distribute its grant funds to
as many groups as possible. Larger amounts may be considered depending
upon expressed need and granting capacity. Projects should contribute to the
development of a healthy and diverse community. The charitable purposes of
this community are to:
• Foster and promote awareness and appreciation for community-based
philanthropy;
• Promote the growth, development, and success of community endeavours
Deadline for applications is Wednesday May 31, 2017.
To receive the application form, granting guidelines and/or to submit the
application form, please contact the following:
Progressive Waste/Paintearth Waste Community Fund
Attention: Tarolyn Aaserud
PO Box 509 Castor, AB T0C 0X0
bfigrant@countypaintearth.ca Phone: 403.882. 3211