Welcome to the first issue of Municipal Matters, the annual newsletter from the Municipal District of Smoky River No. 130! This publication is intended to keep you informed of services offered to our ratepayers. I am pleased to notify you that the mill rate for 1999 remains unchanged. This is largely due to increased government grants earmarked for upgrading infrastructure. The expansion project for the Municipal Office Building is nearing completion. An official opening will be announced early this summer. The Smoky River Regional Airport is undergoing major changes this year as well. The airport lights are currently being upgraded with funds received in part from a provincial grant designed for inter-municipal projects. An applicators' pad will be constructed in the near future followed by a pavement overlay in conjunction with the Highway 2 expansion project. The Little Smoky Ski Area has just completed a very successful season thanks to Ski Hill manager Rocky Johnson and his staff. Applications are being submitted for funding for rental equipment upgrades as well as a joint municipal venture for the purchase of grooming equipment. Last fall saw the resignation of longtime employee Roger Laflamme. Taking his place as the Director of Corporate Services is Lynn Pele. Welcome Lynn! In closing, I would like to thank members of Council, Administration and our ratepayers for their continued support.

In This Issue

• Private Driveway Snowplowing
• Landfill Site Hours
• Planning & Development
• Subdivisions
• M.D. Maps
• M.D. Fire Service
• Fire Permits
• Dust Control
• Taxes & Assessment
• Monthly Payment Plan
• Rental Equipment Rates
• Roadside Weed & Brush Control Program
• Dugout Pumping Program
• V.S.I. Program
• Blackleg of Canola
• Beaver Control
• Predator Control
• Pesticide Container Collection Sites

We welcome your comments!

If you have suggestions or feedback on our first issue of Municipal Matters, please call the MD Office at 837-2221 or fax to 837-2453.

Landfill Site Hours

Whitemud (SW 08-74-22-W5)

Tues. & Sat. 9:00 a.m. ­ 4:00 p.m.

Guy (SE 04-76-20-W5)

Tues. & Sat. 9:00 a.m. ­ 4:00 p.m.

Whitemud (SW 25-79-22-W5)

Tues. & Sat. 9:00 a.m. ­ 4:00 p.m.

Any changes in hours will be posted in the Smoky River Express.

Private Driveway Snowplowing

Municipal snowplowing is prioritized in the following manner:

Airport Secondary Highways Bus Routes Gravel Roads Private Driveways

The Municipal District will clean private driveways on condition that a snowplow flag is purchased and placed at the entrance PRIOR to the work being done. Residents who want this service will be required to enter into a hold harmless agreement with the MDFlags can be purchased at:

• MD Office in Falher
• Triangle Area (Linda Fournier @ 523-3983)

The cost of flags will be a minimum of $25.00. Any work over 20 minutes will require an extra flag.

Planning & Development

Planning to

construct a new building, build an addition, move a manufactured home, or change the use of a property

YES, YOU MAY NEED A DEVELOPMENT PERMIT!

Development permits are written confirmation from the MD to help ensure that your development complies with the Land Use By-law.

Permit Cost - $10.00

Subdivisions

A person wishing to subdivide a parcel of land must obtain subdivision approval from the MD The entire process can take up to three months to complete. Approximate cost of subdividing a parcel can range from $500 to $2500. Applications are processed by Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency in Berwyn, Alberta. Phone (780) 338-3862.

MD Maps

MD maps are updated in January of each year. The 1999 maps are currently available at a cost of $15.00 + G.S.T.

MD Fire Service

The Smoky River Emergency Response Team provides fire service to the MD area. When the department is dispatched, the following rates apply.

Each unit is $300.00 for the first hour and $200.00 per hour thereafter. At times, there may be other charges such as:

Class A Foam Fire Hose Quad Rentals Water Trucks Bulldozers (if necessary)

Such charges shall be recovered by the Municipal District from the owner or occupant of the land; or, from the party or parties responsible for the fire or from them jointly. Please check your insurance for fire and firefighting insurance.

Taxes and Assessments

Property taxes are due July 31 of each year. A 10% penalty is levied on outstanding current taxes August 1.

Note: Please check your assessments. You have 30 days to make an appeal in writing to the Assessment Review Board. Check reverse side of notice for more information.

PAY YOUR TAXES ON A MONTHLY PLAN!

Taxes are paid in twelve monthly payments throughout the year beginning January 15^th with no penalties. MD must be notified before December 15^th in order to be on the plan for the following year. For more information, call the MD office at

837-2221

Fire Permits

CALL BEFORE YOU BURN!

You may need a permit. Call the MD to find out if you are in a permit area. Burning in a permit zone without a fire permit is illegal and charges may be laid. Permits are issued April 1 to October 31 of each year.

For permits call Denis at 837-2455 or Dave at 837-2221.

Dust Control

The Municipal District of Smoky River no longer subsidizes the cost of dust control. MD residents who require dust control adjacent to their residents can contact the following supplier:

Western Road Management

(403) 651-8526

NOTE: Landowners who have dust control applied must sign an agreement with the MD beforehand.

ABS Rental Equipment Rates

Dugout Pumping Program

This program is designed to help farmers replenish their water supply. Each individual farm is charged a basic per day rate.

Veterinary Services Incorporated (V.S.I.) Program

V.S.I. subsidizes certain veterinarian procedures for livestock within the region. The MD will provide $8000 to this program in 1999. Livestock producers within the MD will be asked to pay back any over expenditures based on their usage of the program. For example, if the V.S.I. members spend $13,000 in 1999 and your V.S.I. portion was$1300 or 10% in 1999, The MD will bill you for 10% of the $5000 over expenditure or $500. Any members that fail to pay their bill to the MD will have their numbers suspended.

Blackleg of Canola

In 1998, 305 fields were inspected. Only 1 field was identified as having the disease and that was Trace Level. We will continue inspecting fields in 1999.

Beaver Control Program

MD policy restricts control work to beaver problems directly affecting municipal roads and drainage ditches. Ratepayers wishing to have work done on private land are advised to hire private individuals. The A.S.B. will provide a list of qualified Blasters upon request.

Predator Control Program

This program is available to producers who are experiencing excessive livestock losses due to coyotes. Please contact the A.S.B. for further information.

Pesticide Container Collection Sites

The sites are located at the Landfill Sites for Falher, McLennan, Girouxville, Jean Cote, Guy, and Whitemud. Containers will only be accepted during regular hours of operation for each landfill. Please follow the directions displayed on the signs.

Roadside Weed and Brush Control Programs

The 1999 spraying program will start early June, Tordon 101 is the main chemical being used on roadside ditches. The MD does not spray in front of yards, shelterbelts, dugouts or registered no-spray zones. These are the responsibility of the landowner. Please register any no-spray zones with the A.S.B.

The MD will be mowing roadsides in townships 78-21, 78-20, 77-21 and 77-20 in 1999. Please contact your Councillor or ASB representative with any comments regarding this new approach to weed and brush control.

Primary Highways are the responsibility of Alberta Transportation