The Rural Municipality of Grey council approved the purchase of a new John Deere tractor and moved forward with applications for provincial funding to support local fire services at its regular meeting on Sept. 17.
Council accepted a $314,020.13 quote for a 2026 John Deere 6M 150 tractor, with delivery expected in June 2026.
Applications will also be submitted under the Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunities (GRO) program for new pumper trucks for the St. Claude and Elm Creek volunteer fire departments.
Council also received routine reports from Public Works and the utility manager, providing updates on ongoing maintenance, infrastructure projects and utility operations within the municipality. Minutes from the local urban districts of Haywood and St. Claude were filed, keeping council informed on community-level matters.
Municipal representatives were authorized to attend several upcoming conferences. Reeve Gail Johnson and chief administrative officer Allie Henderson will attend the Manitoba Bilingual Municipal Leadership Meeting in Winnipeg on Sept. 25, while councillors Don Guyot and Doug Middleton were approved to attend the Manitoba Watersheds Conference in Brandon from Dec. 1 to 3. Johnson is also scheduled to attend the Red River Basin Commission South Chapter meeting in Vita on Oct. 3.
In other council news:
• Hearing tests for up to 10 staff were approved at $375 plus tax, covering travel, testing and reporting.
• Communications from community groups and municipal associations were filed or responded to, including support requests for tourism landscaping and the Elm Creek Fall Supper.
• Unfinished business on Acres Emergency Vehicle, tractor quotes and the fire ban review was tabled for future meetings.
• Approval was given for the municipality’s August accounts, totaling $540,956.99.
• Council met in a closed session to discuss a human resources matter.
• The next regular council meetings are scheduled for Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 15 at 9 a.m.
