The District of Barriere’s March 21 council meeting had a number of Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) representatives in attendance. They were on hand to make a power point presentation to council on the Eco-Depot transfer station that will be built in Louis Creek. TNRD reps Don May, Sukh Gill and Peter Hughes all spoke to the subject.
They presented aerial views and a layout of the proposed facility. There will be several buildings erected on the site including one open-ended 70’x70’ building for the recycling station, and one closed 100’x100’ building for non-recyclable waste.
The TNRD is currently waiting for the access permit to come through, (likely in early April) for accessing the site off Agate Bay Road. By May/June they plan to be grading the area; building throughout June-August; and laying out the internal roads and paving them July through October. The facility will be solar powered.
It was noted that the District will hold an open house about the Eco Depot in the near future.
It was reported that the District of Barriere office has never been listed in the annual Telus phone book directory, or even on the online directory. Each year, staff have contacted both Telus and the YellowPages regarding this oversight, yet each time the phone number ends up not listed. After some negotiations, Telus has agreed to compensate the District of Barriere with a pay-out of $5,000 due to this oversight. The District is now listed in the online directory.
The District held a meeting with ARGO Road Maintenance in order to better understand the actual costs of maintaining the District’s roads. In preparation for putting together a long term plan for maintaining the roads once that responsibility is transferred to the District, a cost has been estimated for a complete evaluation of the roadway conditions.
The estimate is approximately $8,000, which will be included in the District of Barriere’s Draft Budget figures to be presented on Mar. 28.
The District has arranged another ‘Free Dump Day’ with the TNRD. There will only be the one day this year., and it will be on April 17. As in past years, ‘resident only refuse’ will be permitted up to a value of $20.
Council members approved the motion that the District take part in the 2011 Earth Hour event. During Earth Hour 2010, 87 communities in B.C. and 370 cities and towns in more than 35 countries switched off unnecessary lights and equipment to save energy and help combat climate change. Through conservation, British Columbians saved about 800 GWh of electricity last year - enough to power nearly 75,000 homes. Anyone wishing to take part in this event can visit www.earthhourcanada.org.
The next regular District of Barriere Council meeting will be on April 5, at 7 p.m.
There will be a Public Meeting to present the Draft Budget figures on March 28, at 7 p.m.