Stonewall council news in brief
The Town of Stonewall plans to collaborate with the RM of Rockwood, the RM of Rosser, South Interlake Recreation Centre and RONA Rockwood to enhance electric vehicle charging infrastructure to better serve local communities through SAMS (Stonewall and Area Mobility Service).
More charging stations will be needed throughout the region for future modes of communication, including electric vehicles used by SAMS.
The town accepted a proposal from DGH Engineering Ltd. to provide the design, tendering and inspection related to the building of a 60-foot by 60-foot vehicle storage building for SAMS at a cost of $42,595.
In other council news:
- The Town of Stonewall received a 2024 Community Collaboration Grant in support of a project to enhance transportation for isolated seniors.
- Council received $3,390 in funding from the provincial government to assist with Dutch elm disease management.
- Mike Dola was appointed as the noxious weeds inspector for the town.
- Council hosted a public hearing related to a special services proposal for curbside waste and recycling. The town aims to establish a rate on all residential and institutional property within town limits for waste and recyclable curbside collection, removal and service for 2025. The proposed special services plan would replace the rates that were set up for 2023 and 2024. The special service tax amount would be based per parcel of land. Properties with one to 80 dwellings would pay an equal rate of $170.70 each. Properties with more than 80 dwellings would pay 60 per cent of this rate, or $102.40 each.
- Council also hosted a public hearing related to a special services proposal to establish a rate for urban services excluding the annexed lands for 2025. The urban services levy addresses the discrepancy in services between properties inside and outside the annexed area. Special services could include snow removal, street lighting, policing, parks and arena services. Part of the agreement for the annexed lands is that they don’t need to pay for urban services they’re not receiving or that are compensated through an alternative funding arrangement.
- Council gave first reading to a bylaw to allow the town to establish one or more positions of a designated officer.
- Council accepted a quote for painting services in the Heritage Arts Centre auditorium from Doug Kroll at a cost of $7,945.
- Council conditionally approved a request from a resident hoping to keep three dogs for companionship. The excess animal permit needs to be renewed annually.
- The Town of Stonewall’s grant application program for community groups and organizations is now open. The submission deadline is March 1. More information, including the application form, is available on the Town of Stonewall website at www.stonewall.ca.
- The March 5 regular council meeting will be changed to March 12, and the March 12 committee of the whole meeting will be cancelled.
