County continues with safety inspection service

Posted on March 27, 2014 by 40 Mile Commentator

By Jamie Rieger

County of Forty Mile council voted to continue with providing safety code inspections for businesses and commercial buildings in the county and Village of Foremost after the topic was raised at their recent regular board meeting.

“If we are not accredited, the province would send somebody to do it. But, it rarely happens. Sometimes the schools, community hall, or arena do, but we basically do them upon complaint or request,” said county fire chief, Nathan Cote, who is also the safety codes officer for the County of Forty Mile and the Village of Foremost. “Fire investigation is what costs the time and money and grass fires don’t count,.

Councilor Gerald Reimer asked Cote what the cost is to the county in providing the service.

“It’s not a whole bunch of money, but it does take a bit of time,” said Cote.

“I have onnly done six or eight in the last few years. So, are we really benefiting from it?”

County reeve Bryne Lengyel said that any information gathered during an inspection could be beneficial if there is a fire down the road.

“The information you gather could help if there ever is a fire. I recommend you continue on a need/request basis,” said Lengyel.

The service would primarily be for business and commercial business, with county administrator, Dale Brown saying they do not have the manpower to provide the service for residences.

Councilor Craig Widmer suggested that a fee-cost recovery schedule be set up with the village.

Lengyel told Cote he could keep going with the current plan, write a fee schedule and breing it back to council for further consideration.