Mayor Don Shirley opened last week's town council, which was called to order on Nov. 17, by briefing the new councillors about the role and responsibilities of being a town official. It is a "huge responsibility that takes-up a lot of time," said the mayor. It is also a "privilege to represent the people of Carlyle," in his words. During his introductory speech, the mayor also highlighted some of the priorities of the council; for example improving the town's health care and residential lot situations.
Mayor Shirley also brought-up the importance of dissenting opinions and encouraged the new council members to be vocal about any concerns or disagreements they may have during council meetings.
Next, since this was an opening session of town council, Corporal Kelly Guider and Staff Sergeant Phil Harrison of the Carlyle RCMP detachment were present in full dress uniforms to swear-in the council members. Following the oath-of -office ceremony, on behalf of the people of Carlyle, Mayor Shirley used this opportunity to thank Staff Sergeant Phil Harrison for his service to the town (the Staff Sergeant has since transferred to an out-of-province detachment).
Items discussed from the Chief Administrative Officer's Report included ongoing negotiations with CN to allow the town to maintain a road that is owned by the company but is heavily used by Carlyle residents. CN has informally agreed to the town's request and is preparing the official paper work. Other items from the Report included gravel work that needs to be done to 8th Street; council agreed that spring of 2013 would be a more appropriate time for the work to be done.
As part of the Council's discussion on matters related to correspondence, Alderman Roy Olmstead agreed to attend theSaskatchewanUrban Municipalities Association (SUMA) regional meeting on Nov. 15, 2012.
New business brought to Council attention was a request by the local high school to allow buses to travel through Carlyle Avenue East and 5th Street East. The route is considered a truck-free zone and the request raised several points ranging from the roads not being wide enough to the technical difficulties of making an exception for the high school. Weighing-in on the discussion, Mayor Shirley pointed out that the town has already been receiving several complaints about larger vehicles travelling along the route. Council concluded that permission would not be granted the high school.
Council appointments were also discussed during the meeting: Mel George, Brian Romaniuk and Jennifer Sedor were appointed to the Airport Commission.
Jennifer Sedor was appointed to the Bear Claw Development Corporation.
Appointed to the Carlyle & RM #63 Fire Protection Board were Mel George, Brian Romaniuk and Darcy Moore.
Wayne Orsted, Roy Olmstead, Darcy Moore and Don Shirley were appointed to the Cemetary Board.
Appointed to the Donor's Choice Board of Directors was Jennifer Sedor, Wayne Orsted and Roy Olmstead.
Jennifer Sedor will be responsible for the Library.
Mayor Shirley will be responsible for the Moose Mountain Watershed Advisory Committee, Occupational Health and Safety and Community Foundation.
Appointed to the Red Coat Mutual Aid Area were Roy Olmstead and Darcy Moore.
Mel George, Darcy Moore, Don Shirley will be responsible for the RM #63/annexation Committee.
Roy Olmstead will be responsible for the Â鶹ÊÓƵ East Transportation Planning Committee.
Appointed to the Sun Country Health Advisory Network were Don Shirley and Brian Romaniuk.
After reviewing their appointments to various Standing Committees of Council, the rest of the meeting was devoted to formal training for the new council members.
