Councillor Karen Ursu has assumed the position of council representative to the fire department.
She brought forward a request for a generator to go on top of the rescue vehicle to provide lights at emergencies.
The department currently has a generator, but it is in need of repairs. Ursu provided pricing for a 17,500-watt generator and council requested she bring back more information on whether the generator is also needed to run tools such as the jaws of life, and prices for a smaller unit if it is determined a smaller one would be sufficient.
Fire Chief Chad Schopf and firefighter Dan Martin attended to discuss fire department matters including space for practice.
Public Works Foreman Bill Hnybida will help provide the department with what it needs.
The wind damage at the firehall is soon to be repaired, the village will only be required to pay the $1,000 deductible.
Talks with the County to allow Beiseker to become a member of the North East Fire Services are currently underway.
The Town will be purchasing a 2009 GMC half-ton truck for $16,894, and will be selling two older vehicles. This will leave public works with three trucks.
Aqua 7 Water Commission will be shutting down the system for maintenance during the second week of February.
If necessary, the Village will be trucking potable water in, but villagers will be asked to restrict their water use.
Council requested Public Works clear sidewalks including those areas mid-block where alleyways abut streets. Council wants information on the extra time and money it would cost to have this service after every storm.
Council will then revisit the issue to determine its feasibility on a regular basis.
Still looking for possible water leaks, the Village plans to put a camera down a sewer line on Lount Ave. as well as conduct leak detection in the subdivision.
Hnybida noted that new water meters are on order. The cost is $13,000 more than anticipated but Municipal Sustainability Initiative and other grants will mostly be used to cover the costs. Contractor Coast to Coast will be installing the meters throughout the entire village.
Councillor Al Henuset reported that Wild Rose Community Futures is making loans of $5,000 available to areas businesses to help with January cash flow problems. The loans will be charged six per cent interest and a $50 application fee will apply. Henuset also reported that the Beiseker Chamber of Commerce currently has 132 members of which 78 are out of town. The new Beiseker Directory is complete and is now available. Member Leo Louwerse is working on pamphlets entitled ìBeiseker Has More.î
The Chamber has approved paying for another six signs and brackets for main street businesses.
The next meeting of Beiseker council will be Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers. The public is welcome.
