Council for the Town of Carman moved forward with several municipal projects and policy items during meetings Feb. 3 and Feb. 19, including approving a tender for a fire hall expansion and reviewing a draft of the town’s 2026 budget.
Council approved issuing a request for tenders for the expansion of the Carman fire hall at its Feb. 3 meeting. The tender will be advertised in accordance with the municipality’s procurement policy, with the submission period shortened from 60 days to 30 days.
Council also approved entering into an agreement with Forest Green to provide criminal record check services and a security camera registration program for residents.
Members extended the town’s contract with MWM for one year, from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
Draft year-end financial statements for 2025 were also reviewed and will be finalized once outstanding payments and coordinated grants are completed.
Council later met again Feb. 19, where a draft of the 2026 municipal budget was presented for review. The budget will continue to be examined once community grant requests are finalized following a joint meeting with the Municipality of Dufferin.
Council also gave first reading to a bylaw amending municipal water rates to reflect a pass-through increase from the Pembina Valley Water Cooperative that was previously approved by the Public Utilities Board.
“There will be slight adjustments to the rate. The pass through only includes the amount of increase the PVWC was approved in the Public Utilities board order 140/22,” Stein said. “The pass through increases the rates we purchase the water by .46 cents per 1000 gallons in 2026, $1.00 in 2027, .95 cents in 2028, .87 cents in 2029 and .77 cents in 2030.”
Members approved issuing a public tender for mowing and routine grounds maintenance services for municipal recreational spaces.
Council further approved extending its agreement with the Pembina Valley Humane Society to provide kennel services for stray animals for an annual donation of $1,000.
Council also approved several reserve transfers as part of financial planning.
Other matters discussed included signage updates for Fisher’s Trestle Bridge, potential amendments to the town’s unsightly property bylaw regarding large garbage bins, and a variance request for a Habitat for Humanity home.
“All variances and conditional uses are reviewed by the Carman Dufferin Planning District,” Stein said. “The board recognizes the importance of maintaining consistent zoning regulations while also supporting initiatives that address community housing needs, including affordable housing projects such as those led by Habitat for Humanity. When variance requests are brought forward, they are reviewed through the established planning process to ensure they are reasonable, consistent with the intent of the zoning by-law, and appropriate for the surrounding neighbourhood.”
Council also reviewed final specifications for a planned lift station project in the northwest corner of town.
“The project will support a 350-lot subdivision in the NW corner. Phase 2, 44 lots were subdivided in 2026 with single, duplex and one multi family lot. The lift station will provide service to these lots. Work should begin in spring/summer of 2026,” Stein said.
