County lays out initial plans for 2018 capital projects

Cypress County council on Tuesday outlined capital project priorities for the 2018 budget.

Altogether, council voted to spend nearly $3.6 million on such items as water/sewer repairs in Irvine, refurbishing county welcome signs at all entry points, and computer software programs. However, the lion’s share of funding — nearly $2.7 million — was allocated to two projects: $900,000 to replace two bridges on the Black and White Trail, (contingent on receiving grant funding from the provincial government) and a little more than $1.7 million on water and sanitary sewer replacement in the hamlet of Seven Persons.

Most of the projects will be financed through existing county reserves.

Crime spike

when unusual activity is spotted in their home community or area, and emphasized common-sense security measures such as locking doors or leaving lights on when away from home.

Present with S-Sgt. Maxwell was “County Mountie” Cst. Joel Barrette who made his final report to council before his impending retirement from the RCMP on Nov. 20. Barrette will continue to work as a part-time RCMP member on the Redcliff detachment’s traffic unit and continue to reside in the county.

A new “County Mountie” will be appointed by the beginning of next week from current members at the Redcliff detachment.

County loves horses, hates roosters

Council members dealt quickly with a formal complaint by an Irvine resident about a neighbour keeping two miniature horses in town. The county agreed to lease some land just on the edge of the hamlet, and granted a development permit to allow the horses to be moved there.

This was unlike a similar complaint lodged about a pair of roosters being kept in town. The county bylaws clearly state absolutely no roosters will be allowed in hamlets. Residents can only keep up to four non-breeding chickens instead.