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The Town of Bashaw approved funding from Family and Community Support Services accounts among
several other important decisions at their regular council meeting Mar. 5.
Board replacement
Town CAO Theresa Fuller noted the municipality requires a board member for the Regional Assessment
Review Board after a member, Rosemary Witvrongel, passed away. Fuller also stated, once found, a
member for this board would likely require training.
However, as it turned out Town of Bashaw staff member Andrea Benoit stated she would like to fill the
vacancy.
Fuller noted staff had examined the opportunity and doesn’t appear to have nay kind of conflict, as the
regional board reviews issues in other municipalities, not in Bashaw. The board’s secretary is provided
through Camrose County.
Councilors unanimously appointed Benoit to the RARB.
Board replacement #2
Fuller noted a vacancy on the Intermunicipal Subdivision Appeal Board also existed because of the
passing of Witvrongel.
Benoit also volunteered for this position, and councillors unanimously appointed her. Training will be
required.
FCSS funding
The CAO noted the provincial government committed their share of $24,554 to Bashaw’s FCSS
programs. The town’s share adds up to $6,139, which could be increased based on council’s prerogative.
Counc. Rosella Peterman stated she was in favour of leaving funding at last year’s numbers.
Camrose County also contributes just over $30,000.
BYF requested $22,695 for 2020, while BDSS requested $45,829.02. Fuller noted both organizations
provided their budget information.
Councilors eventually decided to provide the two organizations with the same funding they received in
2019, BYF with $15,000 and BDSS with $45,829.02.
Library funding
Fuller presented an $8,750 funding request from the Bashaw Library, which the CAO noted was $250
higher than the 2019 budget. “They have expressed challenges with their budgeting and the increase in
wages,” stated Fuller in her memo to council.
It was noted at the meeting Bashaw enjoys high quality library, and Counc. Rob McDonald stated a $250
increase is a very small increase. Counc. Peterman pointed out other groups are eligible for other grant
funding, but the library can’t access most of those grants.
Councilors unanimously granted $8,800 to the library for the 2020 year.
Police report
Mayor Penny Shantz noted she attended a community meeting with the Bashaw RCMP commander, Sgt.
Bruce Holliday, Feb. 26. Holliday noted the detachment is fully staffed and is hoping to get another
administrative staff member.
Also, Holliday told the mayor the Bashaw detachment will be getting an RCMP recruit for six months,
which means an extra police officer for the summer. Shantz noted the sergeant was happy about that.
Shantz noted 2019 crime numbers in the Bashaw region are generally down over the same time in 2018.
She also stated the Bashaw RCMP are pondering two more open houses with the public, but date and
location are not decided yet.
Zamboni offer
The Town of Bashaw isn’t going to give up on trying to get some revenue from their old Zamboni.
Councilors made the decision at their regular meeting Mar. 5.
Town CAO Theresa Fuller presented council with a report on efforts to sell the old Zamboni. Fuller stated
the old Zamboni went to tender, but the town didn’t receive any offers.
As it turns out, an individual approached the town with an offer of $100 for the Zamboni and blades; she
noted the individual is not a resident of Bashaw.
Fuller told councillors the town hasn’t tried any other avenues to sell the vehicle, although there are a few
options.
An advertisement could be posted with details of the Zamboni and with an asking price of $500 to $1,000.
She stated trying to sell the Zamboni at an auction was another option.
Also, the town could look into selling the Zamboni for scrap metal.
Counc. Rosella Peterman asked if it was possible to contact at least one scarp dealer and get an estimate
on what the Zamboni was worth. “When they’re stealing hair dryers out of Starbucks, there’s got to be
more metal (in a Zamboni),” she said. Mayor Penny Shantz agreed.
Fuller stated town staff can look into that. Staff noted at the meeting the Zamboni weighs about 6,000
pounds and the old Zamboni does technically run, but it’s a bit obsolete and they’re not sure how well it
runs.
Counc. Rob McDonald stated the town could also list the Zamboni on kijiji, an online classifieds site just
to see what offers come in.
Councilors unanimously agreed to have town staff contact a scrap dealer for a quote and list the Zamboni
on kijiji and report back at a future meeting.
Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, East Central Alberta Review
