RCMP plan ahead

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

The best laid plans start with financial planning, and Strathmore RCMP Staff Sgt. Dennis Delaronde gave Strathmore town council a package that outlines a financial plan for the next five years.
“The reason I am attending the meeting is to present a multi-year plan and forecasting for resources for the detachment. These are some things that I would bring to council for future planning,” said Delaronde
The department document has a number of variables, so Delaronde separated out areas specific to Strathmore.
“I took it and presented things the way they are now, so obviously it will have to be adjusted as it is just strictly planning,” said Delaronde.
The document will be discussed at the next council meeting on July 4.

Watch clerk update
The watch clerk program got thumbs up from Strathmore town council on June 20, when they voted to change the watch clerk position from an interim to a permanent position.
“The watch clerk program is invaluable,” said Trent West, manager of protective services for the Town of Strathmore.
West updated council how the position has improved conditions in the RCMP office and improved officer response in the community.
“There has been a 20 per cent increase in activity allotted for crime prevention and added time in the field,” said West.
The report included the duties of the watch clerk and how that relates to the duties of the constabulary, and a reference to the town mandate to improve community growth and safety.
He also said an equivalency of adding an additional constable has been achieved through utilizing watch clerk services, translating into about a $100,000 savings in staffing costs.

Water and utilities bylaw
At the July 11 committee of the whole meeting, Strathmore town council will discuss a new bylaw on water and utilities. A draft was distributed at the June 20 meeting.
“We determined that in the bylaw that is currently in place, there were many errors, omissions and contradictions, and we decided that a new bylaw was needed,” said Jim Simpson, interim director of infrastructure and development services.
There were six key changes under the topics of town land irrigation, the conservation master servicing agreement with City of Calgary, ways to keep out cross connection contamination, installation of auxiliary meters downstream from a town-owned water meter and minor housekeeping matters.
Some of the breakdowns include a section for outdoor watering restrictions that can be imposed by the town, explanation of the compulsory connection and water use rule, the need for vacuum breakers on outside faucets and cross connection control devices for buildings installed after the bylaw is approved, hydrant set back and ground maintenance for hydrants on or adjacent to private property, and a chart of what water usage is allowed.
Council will review some of the usage rules, such as why a resident can fill a hot tub or swimming pool, but he is not allowed to wash his house’s windows or siding with potable water, nor fill up bird baths or fountains.
Another consideration may be an explanation of why the town is allowed to use Western Irrigation District (WID) water for its properties, while residents and businesses are forced to use and pay for potable water on their yards, because removal of access to the WID water system for the public was cancelled by past councils. Old pipes and cross contamination risks were given as why no irrigation services in the town are open to residents.
The City of Calgary has notified residents on forthcoming rate increase for utilities. Strathmore is connected to the City of Calgary servicing lines for water.
Fee discussion will also take place at the July 11 meeting, which is open to the public.

Get to know your neighbour
Mayor Pat Fule often starts town council meetings with an address to residents. On June 20, he sent out kudos to Aleesha Gosling and Denise Geremia for their work on the Get to Know Your Neighbour Festival, which took place June 16.
“We had a great number of people come to the downtown area,” said Fule. “It was a chance to mingle and visit with downtown businesses, which were able to showcase some of the products they have.”
He said these types of events were supporting the drive to revitalize the downtown area.

New business welcome
The Town of Strathmore is reaching out to new businesses when they register for a business license. A package of information and incentives are given the business owner, which includes a complimentary pool and skate pass, and Strathmore mug and pin.
Staff said there are different options available for the differing types of businesses. Their business profile is listed on the town website, they can choose from a ribbon cutting ceremony or introduction at council, and can post the business in the town portion of news advertisements. Home-based businesses cannot apply for ribbon cutting.

Video on water use
A video on the importance of saving water in Strathmore is being released in July and will be posted on the town’s website and Facebook page.
Town of Strathmore councillor Bob Sobol sits on the sustainability committee and announced the video release.
“The members of this committee decided earlier this year that one of the main focuses would be to attempt to provide information about water usage in our community,” said Sobol, who added the use of town communication resources and volunteers eliminated the need for extra funding to produce the video.