The majority of the Dec. 2, District of Barriere Council Meeting was spent listening to reports on various projects.
The Barriere 100th Anniversary committee reported on the status of their fundraising, and on their vision of how celebrations will progress during 2014. The grant for the splash pad has been submitted and they are awaiting word on whether or not it was successful.
The next fundraising community event that is being planned will be for the Family Day long weekend in February. On the evening of Sunday, Feb. 9, the committee will partner with Success By Six (SB6) to host a Family Fun Pajama Party Night, to be held at the Ridge. It will be an entry by donation event with the proceeds being shared between SB6 and the splash pad. It will consist of activities for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, older kids and even parents and grandparents. In the gym will be a bouncy castle and an area for dancing (DJ services), while in other rooms there will be a concession, crafts with princesses and Elmo, face painting, a cake walk, massages for parents, some home based business promotion, tea party, parent retreat and more.
The committee also asked for council to consider budgeting some money for some promotional materials such as pins or hats. Council members passed a motion to spend the $1,500 remaining in the council grant fund for this.
CAO Colleen Hannigan reported on several items. The recent free seniors workshops on caregivers were such a hit that they will be repeated in either January or February. They will be advertised as soon as the dates are set.
The work at the HY Louie building is progressing nicely. An engineering report on the structure as to whether it will support the proposed new roof is needed. This will be done immediately, with council passing a motion to pay for the cost of this (approx $2,500-$3,000) from Gas Tax Reserves.
During the public enquiries portion of the meeting, resident Barry Thorne asked several questions. One was when will residents be told what the water rates will be. Council advised that they will be voting on the first readings of the bylaw at the December 16 council meeting.
Another question was, “When will residents be able to start hooking up to the new sewer system”?
Council replied that the sewer system itself will have to have been completed and tested before they can accept any sewage, so it will not happen before the fall of 2014.
The next council meeting will be on Dec. 16, at 7 p.m.