In what was originally a simple request, there is now a process and consultation going on about the naming of streets in Bashaw.
A recent inquiry into having a local street named in honour of an individual started a series of events which will eventually see a new town policy and a committee formed on the issue.
CAO Theresa Fuller explained to council at its meeting on March 22 that there are currently a lot of town streets that have names attached.
“Originally, it sounded good, that was until we came to the realization there are lots of named streets,” she stated.
Naming, or numbering, of streets is strictly up to the municipality, therefore council was told it might be prudent to further investigate and develop a list with assistance from the Bashaw Historical Society.
“What council has decided is that administration contact the historical society to come up with an inventory of the named streets and any historical significance those names have,” Fuller said.
“In that way, a street that already has a name doesn’t get moved out or replaced with a name that is just more current.”
In conjunction with creating the list, having criteria for renaming a street — suggested by Coun. Lynn Schultz — was approved by council. That criteria, along with a town policy, will be developed following some consultations and recommendations from the historical society.
From that policy, a committee will be formed to be filled with a variety of community members.
Fuller added letters will be sent to Ty Wilson who made the initial request, as well as Randy Knockleby who put in a request the week before the meeting to inform them of the new process and what the next steps will be regarding their requests.
Budgeting begins
At that meeting, council went through the proposed 2018 budget for three areas — council, administration and the Bashaw Fire Department.
This was the first step to getting the budget, hopefully, approved when the full financial picture is produced at council’s meeting on April 19.
“We presented the numbers for just those areas that are fairly well aligned,” noted Fuller, who added there weren’t many questions about the budget figures.
“Where the struggles are is with the utilities and public works and how to balance some of the costs with revenues.”
Other business
Even though the money was in place, it didn’t come soon enough for the town to purchase a replacement flush truck.
Fuller explained the unit the town had wanted was sold before the funding could be confirmed and so the plan to buy a different truck has been placed on hold.
Meanwhile, Coun. Schultz will begin getting back to work with public works on the installation of a dock at the trout pond.