Holden Council held its monthly meeting on Monday, December 18 in the Village Office.
Viking/Beaver FCSS director Dawn Chrystian was present at the meeting, and council voted in favour of increasing their grant to $4,375 for the 2024 year, which is an additional $875 from the year before.
Sergeant Cameron Paul also attended and gave an update on the progress and workings of the Tofield RCMP detachment.
“We have had a good general decline, a significant decrease for this year to this point, so we’re happy to see that. The property crime had a little bump up, which was caused by additional charges being laid for possession of property obtained by crime or possession of stolen property,” Paul said.
Paul also said Constable Kevin Roscoe is in the beginning stages of a transfer, as he has served four years with the Tofield detachment, which was his first placement. Paul said it is quite common to be moved around, especially after a first post.
“We have one member who has received their planning document for a transfer, Constable Roscoe. As to when that will happen it will probably be in the new year, either in the fourth quarter cycle for transfer or the new fiscal year in April.
“The planning document is one thing, but it can take up to three weeks to a month before you get the official document, and then it’s 90 days after that. (Roscoe’s) been four years here, and that’s the term for the Tofield detachment. It is time for him to move on, experience a different location, and we’ll get somebody else to come in. This was his first post, and it is pretty typical on a first post to have another move. The average is around four moves in a career,” said Paul.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Rosemary Offrey inquired after the possibility that a new recruit could take up residence in the village of Holden.
“I am wondering if there’s a potential that one of your new recruits could set up home in Holden. The Assumption detachment near Rainbow Lake had a RCMP officer in the town of Rainbow Lake (where Offrey previously held a CAO position), the officer lived in the town, and the visibility of that car and that individual made a huge difference in crime,” Offrey said.
“Assumption is a different situation where they can, because it’s Force housing. There is no Force housing for Tofield. They may take up residence anywhere, as long as they are living within 50 kilometres of the physical detachment,” Paul said.
Council approved The Inspections Group’s proposed fee increases, which Offrey said was not a huge hike. Council also raised the cost of living adjustments (COLA) by 3.5 per cent for Village staff. While Offrey mentioned that often municipalities will include this adjustment for both staff and councillors, Council chose to approve it for staff only.
Mayor Tyler Beckett said that inflation was 4.8 per cent last year, and 5.6 per cent this year.
“The cost of living across the country is at 6.57 per cent now, but Beaver County just approved a 1 per cent COLA for their staff. They did approve a 3.25 last year, where we did a 2.5. Some people are approving 3 or 4 per cent this year,” Offrey said.
Council also revised Bylaw 1-2023 Sidewalks, Driveways and Private Property Ice and Snow Removal.
“This was revised in January and February last year. I brought it back again because our public works foreman is concerned that the initial bylaw only dealt with sidewalks, but people are pushing snow out of their driveways onto the street as well. We would liked this tweaked so that it includes sidewalks, driveways, and any private property. Snow can’t be pushed onto the streets because if we’ve gone by with the grader and cleaned up the snow, and then someone decides to push the snow out of his driveway or off his lawn out onto the street, then that’s an issue. Even if the plow hasn’t gone by, nobody should be pushing snow to the streets simply because it is a safety hazard,” Offrey said.
The EV charging representative is booked for the Jan. 15 meeting to have a presentation for council.
