Mayerthorpe council getting bylaw officers from Lac Ste. Anne County

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Following the Oct. 25 departure of Gervais Kasamba, Mayerthorpe’s community peace officer (CPO), town council discussed having bylaw officers in the community.

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Councillors approved a new Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bylaw during their regular meeting on Dec. 9. 

“We’ve signed up with Lac Ste. Anne County (LSAC) to do peace officer or bylaw services,” town CAO Chris Leggett told council. 

“This (bylaw) is the document that formalizes that relationship.” 

LSAC is providing access to five bylaw officers who will be active in town, Leggett said. Leggett was looking for a new CPO when LSAC reached out to the town, he told council. 

Initially, Leggett said the town and LSAC considered having an officer in Mayerthorpe a couple days a week.

Instead, an officer will be in the town for around a couple hours every day, since LSAC enforcement officers also serve Woodlands County, Leggett told council.

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“It looks like we’re getting services more often,” he said.

The current arrangement with LSAC will last 90 days, but Leggett said the agreement can be renewed.

With adjustments, this could become a long-term relationship or Mayerthorpe could consider getting its own officer again, Leggett told council.

LSAC services would save “tens of thousands of dollars” annually compared to the town having its own officer and equipment, Leggett added.

Councillors Anna Greenwood, Kyler Mason and Sandy Morton’s motions to approve the bylaw were carried unanimously, with all members present except Becky Wells.

Town seeks grant for $1.4M project

The Town of Mayerthorpe is still looking to upgrade its sewer lift station infrastructure.

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The town previously failed to obtain an Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) grant and approved a $528,056 borrowing bylaw for the project.

However, Leggett told council that a grant specialist for the town’s engineering firm MPE put together another AMWWP grant application, and the application needs town support.

A pump upgrade to prevent overflow and a grinder unit could cost an estimated $1.36 million over 2025 and 2026, Leggett told council.

With an AMWWP grant, the province would cover 69 per cent ($932,683) while the town would be on the hook for the rest ($426,517), according to council’s agenda package.

Coun. Morton’s motion to support the AMWWP grant application was carried unopposed. The municipal portion would come from the debenture, Coun. Morton said.

“Fingers crossed we’re successful,” Leggett said.

bquarin@postmedia.com

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