Cypress County council briefs

By Tim Kalinowski
RCMP come to Dunmore
S-Sgt. Sean Maxwell and Cst. Joel Barrette attended their first Cypress County council meeting together since the County Mountie (Barrette’s) position was transfered under Maxwell’s direct command.
Maxwell reported no major concerns in Cypress County as far as statistical trends in violations happening in the county go. With the summer travel season in full force, said Maxwell, the RCMP were on heightened diligence when it came to potential criminals coming into the area off the highway.
Barrette reported he had been out on extended patrol through the Canada Day weekend, hitting both Cavan Lake and Sandy Point, to make sure no trouble was happening. He was happy to report the weekend passed quietly. Barrette also fielded questions from councillors on the legal levers the RCMP has to curtail quad and dirt bike use on private land within the jurisdiction, pointing at such activities in the hamlet of Dunmore.
Barrette said he would need to have a formal complaint from the landowner to move in to do anything on privately held land unless the offroaders strayed onto a public road, or were using a ditch beside the road, without licensing their vehicles.
To conclude his remarks to council, Barrette said he hoped councillors would feel free to call him any time, and if they had concerns to come talk to him directly.
“I am referring to our past meeting there in April,” said Barrette. “If there is any issues my phone is on me; give me a call. If the priorities of the county changes, different shifts, don’t be afraid to give me a call and pass it on to S-Sgt. Maxwell. We are here to serve the county. One thing I would like to say is I have been doing this for 24 years, and I quite like the position. So if there are any concern let me know.”

Offsite levies pass first reading
The proposed offsite levies for Irvine and Walsh passed first reading at last Tuesday’s council meeting. Councillors agreed a few months back the offsite levy rate in Irvine should be set at $5,500 per lot and in Walsh it should be $3,500 meeting. The vote was unanimous. Council will holding a public hearing on the proposed bylaws in the next month or so.

Onefour Fire Hall land re-designation approved
Council unanimously approved a land designation change at the future site of the new Onefour Fire Hall from Agricultural District 2 A-2 to Semi-Public Service District P-5. The land for the firehall was recently purchased from the Heydlauff family, and was carefully chosen for its location just outside of the area currently regulated by the Sage Grouse Protection Order to avoid additional legal or bureaucratic hang-ups. The County will still have to abide by a few provisos from the Canadian and Alberta government, such as confining construction activities until late summer or fall, keeping the new building’s profile as low as possible so as not to provide predatory birds with a hunting or nesting perch, and by ensuring no equipment on site emits any kind of loud, constant noise which would disturb nearby nesting.