By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Bashaw Star
Hometown Days is going ahead, and Bashaw town council approved the closure of some streets to help facilitate the two-day event.
Council approved the closure of three blocks of Main Street from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Aug. 20, 2021, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 21.
Hometown Days will feature a farmers market on the street, a street dance, and a barbecue on Aug. 20. On Aug. 21, the street will be closed for a parade followed by a variety of family activities.
In addition to the street closure request, council also received a request from the event organizers to host a fireworks display over Long Valley Lake, beginning at 10 p.m. This request was also approved.
It was repeated during the meeting that all activities taking place for Hometown Days must comply with Alberta Liquor and Gaming rules.
Bashaw Retreat Centre development application
Young Spirit Winds Society, the group that wanted to partner with the Bashaw Retreat Centre to create a multi-bed family treatment centre in the facility, has filed a new development permit application in their own name.
Fuller noted that with the previous application “there was not a lot of details,” however it was “pretty clear that it is a type of addictions treatment.”
“My opinion hasn’t changed, I don’t feel that a treatment centre belongs in a residential area,” said Deputy Mayor Rosella Peterman.
It was a sentiment shared by the rest of council.
“I don’t think it’s good for the community,” said Pearson.
The Town of Bashaw has a policy that they will not reconsider a development permit which has been denied for a period of six months from the date of initial denial. After discussing the reapplication, Coun. Rob McDonald motioned to deny consideration of the re-application.
Community revitalization funding
Having received information surrounding funding for community revitalization, Fuller brought the information to council.
The Canadian Community Revitalization Fund is a federal program with a budget allocation of $500 million over two years with a stated purpose “to support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and public institutions” with a focus on “projects that assist with community vitality.”
“If they are giving away money, we may as well try and get some,” said Coun. Rob McDonald.
Coun. Darren Pearson also directed Fuller to pass the information on to other community partners, such as the Agricultural Society and Recreation Board.
Occupational Health and Safety Inspection
The town of Bashaw Public Works department recently received an inspector from Alberta Occupational Health and Safety, which was a “positive experience” according to Fuller.
After the inspection, it was noted that four areas needed to be addressed, one of which was the town needing a written “Working Alone” policy. While the town did have guidelines for working alone individuals, nothing was officially written down.
“We need something on paper to say ‘Yes, this is what we do,’” said Fuller
Town council approved the new policy through a motion made by Coun. Pearson.
Of the remaining areas to be addressed, Town of Bashaw staff are working on rectifying the issues.
Council briefs
Bashaw town council has approved two new bylaws.
The two bylaws passed were essentially housekeeping items, not requiring the municipality to publicly advertise them before passing all three readings.
Bylaw 804-21, the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw, was the first of the two bylaws to be passed. With the municipal election coming up, it was decided to review the bylaw.
The review was done at the previous council meeting, and Town of Bashaw Chief Administrative Officer Theresa Fuller took the document and made the requested changes.
The biggest change in the bylaw change in the bylaw revolves around council member orientation and training. The previous version of the bylaw, Bylaw 784-2018, stated that council members must make every effort to attend orientation, whereas the new bylaw states that councillors must attend the orientation training within 90 days of being sworn in. With this bylaw passing all three readings, the previous bylaw is repealed.
Bylaw 805-2021, the Bylaw Officer Bylaw, came about because of the Municipal Accountability Program review which took place earlier this year.
Because the town does not have its own bylaw enforcement officer, instead relying on the RCMP or peace officers from Camrose County, the Bylaw Officer Bylaw was never created, despite being a requirement under the Municipal Government Act.
“This bylaw helps us become compliant,” said Fuller.
The next Bashaw council meeting will be held Aug. 19.