Traffic safety measures discussion

Times Reporter 

 

In 2012 the section of Hwy 1 running through Strathmore had a reported 27 accidents, including three injury accidents. At the beginning of 2013 council requested that administration look into the possibility of red light cameras or other traffic safety measures that could help reduce the amount of speeders and accidents on the highway. 

Various options have been looked at and considered. Some, like the one using a red light camera system, have been dismissed at a provincial level, leaving the town to continue looking for a solution. 

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Dwight Stanford has been in touch with the Town of Coaldale about the possibility of purchasing their unused traffic equipment. On Nov. 6 Stanford informed council that Coaldale will not be selling their equipment. 

“Now what we’re going to have to do is … we’re going to get portable equipment, then we should tender it out and see what happens,” said Stanford.

In addition to discussion with Coaldale, Stanford has also been in talks with Michael Di Corpo, manager and director of Engineering Information Group out of Montreal. Di Corpo is willing to sell or lease portable equipment to the town. The cost is in the $95,000 to $100,000 range. 

“With the equipment we would be able to use it on the highway which is our big concern…but we could also take it to various parts of town where people are speeding and pick them up,” said Stanford. 

For safety reasons the town is also installing new signs on the highway at both ends of town, on George Freeman Trail and on Hwy 817. The 4×8 signs will inform truckers that they can’t use their ‘jake brakes’ through town and will list the bylaw number and the potential fine, which is $250. 

The report from Stanford was accepted as information at this time. 

 

55 Games 

The Town of Strathmore will be hosting the 55 Plus Summer Games in 2015. A 16-person board is required to plan, co-ordinate and implement the games. The final two people were appointed to the board of directors at the Nov. 6 council meeting. Karen Binns was appointed to director of guest and community programs and Grace Shouten is the director of promotions. Councillor Denise Peterson asked that a letter be sent to the chair Donalda Ledene thanking her for her work on putting the committee together. 

 

Youth Club of Strathmore 

Councillor Pat Fule spoke about the Youth Club of Strathmore in his committee reports. He said the club has had complaints come in to the licensing department regarding the After the Bell program. Fule said it is a structured after school program for homework and has a recreational component. The Youth Club is not required to have a license for this and they have been in regular contact with the licensing department.