A review of Bashaw’s participation in helping people get rid of hard to recycle household products has found changes are needed.
At council’s June 17 meeting, CAO Theresa Fuller presented the results of the May 4 Toxic Roundup and it wasn’t very positive.
The one-day event cost the town almost $3,400, with only $722 coming back through a provincial grant. The 2018 event cost just $2,600.
“The recycling event appears to be important to our residents, according to the feedback received,” Fuller said. “Electronics recycling was not included this year, due in part to a communication mix up and changes to the grant program.”
She added that due to the increasing costs and the fact recycled paint is now the lone item being covered by the provincial grant, it was felt further direction was needed from council on how to proceed in the future.
During the discussion, councillors noted the province seems to be increasingly uninterested in any recycling plus it is also getting harder to find companies to take away things like paint and electronics.
In the end, Coun. Rob McDonald’s suggestion to move the event to every two years was approved unanimously.
Exceeds quote
Council begrudgingly approved spending another $10,500 for gas detection sensors in the Bashaw Arena.
Last month, they passed funding of $11,000 to pay for detection systems for freon and propane that were required to be installed as part of the safety codes audit done earlier this year.
Unfortunately for the town, the system to detect freon in the ice plant room took up all of the $11,000 and forced council’s hand to find more money for the propane detectors in the room housing the ice resurfacer.
“The propane sensors are a requirement of Occupational Health and Safety for continued operation of the arena. They can shut us down if we fail to comply,” added Fuller.
Coun. Lynn Schultz called it like he sees it, “The price for a couple of sensors is completely ridiculous.”
Administration will pull $9,700 from its restricted surplus and cover the other $450 through the 2019 operating budget.
Safety Codes
Council approved a new bylaw governing how the Alberta Safety Codes legislation — covering building, electrical, plumbing and gas sectors — will be regulated within the town.
Essentially, the bylaw does not change any codes, but simply establishes the fee schedule for any inspections, permits and penalties.
A bylaw became necessary following council’s decision earlier this year to seek out options for its contracted safety codes inspection services. It’s expected a decision on what company will awarded the contract is expected soon.