During last week's town council, which was called to order on Dec. 5, councillors voiced their concern over icy roads being used by pedestrians to access the Gordon F. Kells High School. The thought of a pedestrian slipping under a vehicle was "scary" according to one councillor. Council agreed to communicate the matter to town workers.
Councillor Mel George reported on some of the issues raised at the last Carlyle and RM #63 Fire Protection Board meeting. Concern over the Ramada Carlyle lacking a fire sprinkler system was voiced. This is not required by current building codes, which was disconcerting to fire officials. The question of whether the town should contribute to the purchase of a new fire ladder for such situations was also deliberated.
Another fire-related item brought up during the meeting was a request made by White Bear First Nation to provide fire protection. According to councillors, fire protection is currently provided to the White Bear resort only and the Carlyle Fire Department occasionally assists the White Bear Fire Department with fire protection from time-to-time. Technicalities were deliberated and council is considering the request.
It was brought to council attention that advertisements along Main St. during the Dickens Festival may have posed both a hazard and an inconvenience to pedestrians. Council is exploring alternative options for displaying advertisements during the annual festival.
A bylaw was passed to change the five minute parking area north of the Carlyle Civic Centre to a no parking area.
Ongoing negotiations to purchase a new payloader was discussed. Town workers seem pleased with the John Deere model currently being tested but a final decision has yet to be made.
New business discussed included seven existing residential lots coming back on the market in Carlyle. The availability of the lots will temporarily alleviate some of the pressures to develop new ones.
Finally, councillors discussed banking tenders. The current arrangement between the town and Spectra Credit Union is set to expire in the New Year. Responses were deliberated and council decided to renew the existing contract until 2017.
