Briefs from Bow Island town council

By Jamie Rieger
It was a light agenda at the April 10 Bow Island town council meeting.
Rail Safety Week
Council voted in favour of proclaiming April 24-30 to be Rail Safety Week in Bow Island. Each year, CP Rail and the CP Police Service ask municpal councils across the country to proclaim one week a month to be Rail Safety Week.
In a written letter to mayor Gordon Reynolds, Laird Pitz, CP’s vice president and chief risk officer stated, “When people use railway property or tracks as walking paths, they are risking their lives. Rail safety requires vigilance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.”
The letter also notes that crossing incidents declined last year, but trespassing incidents were significantly increased. In 2016, 46 pedestrians and 19 drivers lost their lives due to incidents at rail crossings. By comparison, in 2015, there were 31 pedestrian and 14 driver fatalities.
Mutual Aid agreement
Council voted in favour of signing a mutual aid agreement with the Municipal District of Taber. The document is put in place should there be a situation that requires emergency response from neighbouring municipalities. Bow Island fire chief Kelly Byam, Town administrator Anna-Marie Bridge and MD of Taber regional fire chief, Brian Schafer reviewed the agreement prior to it being presented before council last Monday.