During its March 26 meeting, Clearwater town council waived its usual requirement for the issuance of a request for proposal for purchases over $100,000 to allow the purchase of a new truck for Clearwater and District Highway Rescue Society.
Due to the specific truck requirements and limited number of suppliers, council instead went for three quotes researched by the society for the vehicle.
The 1992 Ford highway rescue truck presently being used by the society needs to be replaced, council was told.
The society receives funding from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to provide highway rescue services to the District of Clearwater, Wells Gray Country (Area A) and Thompson Headwaters (Area B).
The TNRD board earlier waived a similar RFP requirement for the purchase.
Through diligent management and some federal gas tax funding, the society has enough in its reserves to purchase and outfit a new vehicle.
The three quotes (not including taxes) were: Rocky Mountain Phoenix, $185,000; Fort Garry Fire Trucks, $165,000; and Hub Fire Engines and Equipment, $137,051.
“What really impressed me was how much they’ve set aside for the project,” said Mayor John Harwood.
Council buys carbon offsets
Clearwater council approved the purchase of 185 tonnes of carbon offsets from Pacific Carbon Trust.
At $25 per tonne, the offsets would total $4,625. However, a carbon tax rebate from the provincial government of $4,147 would reduce the cost for the District to become carbon neutral to $478.
Director of finance Shirley Thiessen noted that this the first year that municipalities have had to buy carbon offsets.
School districts have been doing so for several years.
Mayor John Harwood suggested that the question of carbon offsets could be taken to the Union of BC Municipalities.
District of Clearwater signed onto the BC Climate Action Charter in 2008. Under the charter, the municipality pledged to be carbon neutral by 2012.
Money for NT Pony Club
Linda Ludbrook approached council to ask for $1,500 to help outfit the North Thompson Pony Club.
The club, which is branch of the Canadian Pony Club, started last year with four members and this year has eight, she said.
The money would be used primarily for safety gear, such as safety vests, a first aid kit, and breakaway jump caps.
The group meets every two weeks during winter in people’s homes. Practices are held at Spedding Thoroughbreds’ indoor arena.
Membership is not limited to those owning ponies (under 13.5 hands), Ludbrook said.
As with other such requests, council took the request under advisement, with a decision to be made at a later council meeting.
Propane for Dutch Lake School
Council approved awarding the contract to provide propane to the former Dutch Lake School to Superior Propane.
The District plans to convert the school into a community center containing both the municipal offices and the Community Resource Center. A lease agreement with School District 73 took effect on April 1.
Superior presently supplies propane for the Sportsplex and so staff was able to negotiate a bulk purchase program, said chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx.
Propane from Superior would cost 49.9 cents per litre as compared to 59 cents per litre for propane from Super Save, the present supplier for the school.