While the County of Stettler supports a project to re-line a railway from Stettler to Donalda, the municipality will not loan any equipment or labour for the project.
At its regular meeting April 14, county council approved a staff recommendation to support East Central Alberta Heritage Society for its project but denied a request for the county to loan equipment to construct the rail-line and linear parks.
“You’re going to have some very upset residents if we let the society use our equipment,” said Councillor Vic Carey who initiated the discussion.
“I don’t think it’s our responsibility to support them financially,” said Reeve Earl Marshall.
He noted that if the county would loan equipment for this project, other organizations would also make similar requests for various development projects.
Last fall, the society received over $3.2 million from the federal Community Adjustment Fund through Canadian Badlands for the project that must be complete by spring 2011.
In lieu of in-kind services, Councillor Joe Gendre suggested that the county consider a tax exemption for two year which assistant chief administrative officer Yvette Cassidy said was done for the railway to Big Valley in the past.
Approving an amended recommendation, council consented to consider this special support after the county receives the final plans by the society.
Tender for new highway tractor
Council awarded a tender for a IHC Paystar highway tractor for gravel services to Glover International of Red Deer at a cost of $127,145.44 plus the federal goods and services tax.
The new tractor is required to pull the new Tridem clam dump trailer, said Ron Bannister, director of infrastructure and operations.
This purchase was proposed with the 2010 budget at a cost of $200,000 for truck and clam dump trailer.
Tender for new tractor
Council awarded a tender for a New Holland tractor at a cost of $104,248, plus GST to Bill’s Farm Supply of Stettler, the lower of two bids.
This new tractor with a three-point hitch will allow the county to use the equipment for various duties to disk, pick rocks, harrow mow and pound posts.
Fees increase to clean up roadsides
Council has increased fees for groups to clean up roadsides and rural right-of-ways to $55 per kilometer, with $75 per kilometer paid for roads located within 10 miles of a town or village or two miles from a landfill.
For many years the county has implemented a roadside clean-up program that encourages community and youth groups in the county to participate.
The county provides fluorescent-coloured vests, garbage bags, and appropriate training material for participants.
Each group will be granted a maximum of 10 kilometers which will be awarded based on areas identified by council.