A new contractor to provide inspection services for Bashaw, albeit at a significant difference in revenue from the last contract.
Approval of a 3-year deal, that is renewable at the end of the term, was granted to Edmonton-based Inspections Group Inc. by council during their July 18 meeting.
The new deal not only sees the cost of some inspections and permits increase, but the town’s portion of the revenue from those fees will fall by 20 per cent. All of the costs for the various gas, electric, plumbing and building permits and inspections are paid by the business or individual needing the service.
The other company to send in a proposal was Edmonton’s Superior Safety Codes Inc, whose fees were somewhat higher than Inspections Group, had proposed the town get 20 per cent of the fee revenue.
That slight difference was the main reason for council’s choice, but the names of the two competing companies weren’t released to council or the public until after council voted on their decision.
The former deal with IJD, which expired July 31, saw the company and the town equally split fee revenue while the contract with Inspections Group will provide the town just 30 per cent of any revenue.
On July 4, council had looked at and discussed the only two proposals it received, but decided to see if the previous contractor would be willing to renew its deal with Bashaw. The biggest reason, according to CAO Theresa Fuller was the difference in what revenue the town would receive.
IJD Inspections out of Red Deer didn’t make a submission to town’s initial request for proposals and also declined the town’s renewal offer, stating in an email that logistically and financially it no longer made sense for them to provide this service.
Fire code inspections are not part of the contract, as the town is continuing to come up with a solution to that issue.
Fireworks for sale
Council has lit a spark on changes to its bylaws that prohibited the sale of low-hazard fireworks within town.
Earlier this year, the owners of the Bashaw Esso presented a suggestion to council that it should be more in line with Camrose County’s bylaw regarding sales of these type for fireworks, considering someone could set up across the road from them and legally sell them. The owners felt it was unfair, while also wanting to take advantage of selling those products through the summer to vacationers.
In a unanimous vote, council directed administration to bring back amendments to the bylaw to allow the sale of those low-hazard consumer grade fireworks within Bashaw.
However, the ban on setting off any fireworks in town limits would continue. Only registered and licensed commercial fireworks operators with the appropriate permits and approvals would be allowed to set off fireworks displays.
Train whistles to blow
The idea of trying to quiet down the noise from CN trains raising their warning sounds at crossings in Bashaw was halted in it tracks after council examined some of the anticipated and long-term expenses it would incur.
While Fuller was not able to garner exact costs of installing signal lights and crossing arm gates at the lone municipal controlled crossing on 54 Ave., she was able to find some figures through various news articles. And what she found was far outside the range Bashaw could really afford, with costs ranging from $100,000 to well over $1 million for just one crossing. That doesn’t include what annual maintenance would cost or if any upgrades to the crossing were needed.
The other issue that nixed the suggestion was that Alberta Transportation is in charge of the crossings on highways 53 and 21, both of which are well within hearing distance of residents, and the town has been told there are no plans to upgrade those crossings.
“You hear it for the Hwy. 21 crossing clear as anything, so what’s the point?” said Coun. Lynn Schultz.
New truck arrives
The Bashaw Fire Department took ownership of its new pumper engine on July 20 after being selected as the winning bid on the City of Camrose fire truck last month.
According to Fire Chief Jordan Lee, crews have been able to get some hands-on training with the unit already and everyone seems happy to have the new-to-them apparatus.