Christopher Northcott – Page 6 – Christopher Northcott

Berrywater

Christopher Northcott on September 2, 2023

Division 6 is a dynamic division in the middle of Vulcan County, hedged to the north by the Milo highway (542) and the Buffalo Hills, and to the south by the Little Bow River and Travers Reservoir. The division includes community members of Milo, Berrywater, Vulcan, Lake McGregor Country Estates, Champion, and even a few from Lomond. It includes the western shore of Lake McGregor Reservoir, being the western side of what is historically known as Snake Valley. It includes Little Bow Provincial Park and more recent seasonal development adjacent to it. The division also includes the Lake McGregor Provincial Recreation Area, as well as the Calgary and District Target Shooters‘ Milo Range. Other historic landmarks include Reid Hill and the Coal Mine Road. For any that I have missed, please mention them in the comments below.

The following video was done a few years back on the Berrywater Community Association. It provides some insight for those who may not otherwise know much about Berrywater and the historic roots of this community.

Bylaw 2023-019 Tarping Bylaw

Christopher Northcott on August 31, 2023

Feel free to contact me should you wish to discuss.

Comments are enabled. Respectful commentary regarding the proposed bylaw is welcome, be it for or against. Please avoid referring directly to individuals, staff members or otherwise. I am interested in knowing what you think. There will be public consultation by way of a public hearing before it is considered for second and third reading.

Bylaw-2023-019-Tarping-Bylaw Download

Tarping-Bylaw-Survey-Results Download

Notes from Council, August 31, 2023

Christopher Northcott on August 31, 2023

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

August had the two regular meetings of Council for me and no meetings for any of the other boards and committees to which I am appointed. I volunteer to sit on the District 20 (Champion) Fire Association Board—a great group of community-minded individuals—and we will be having a meeting in the near future. One item on the next agenda for this group is the upcoming Fall dinner and fundraiser to benefit our local fire protection service. After a few years hiatus, last year was a tremendous success and the association is looking to have another enjoyable community event. The hall is booked for November 4^th, so please mark it on your calendars, spread the word, and get your tickets once they are available.

Notes from Council, July 31, 2023

Christopher Northcott on July 31, 2023

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Members of council, along with our MP, Martin Shields, as well as key personnel from the Oldman River Regional Services Commission, Benchmark Assessment, and Vulcan County Administration took a rather diverse bus tour of Vulcan County on July 5^th. We toured the fully operation 465 megawatt Travers Solar Farm southwest of Lomond. It is jointly owned by Greengate Power Corporation and Copenhagen Infrastructure Projects, spanning 3,330 acres. We then visited the construction laydown yard for the 494 megawatt Buffalo Plains Wind Farm which was recently sold to Copenhagen Infrastructure Projects. This project, when fully constructed, will span approximately 17,500 acres and include 83 turbines, being the largest single phase wind project in Canada. From the laydown yard, we were taken to the construction site for one of the first turbines, giving us an appreciation for the scale of the concrete pad that will be poured. While these pads could never be fully reclaimed, we were told that they will likely be used for a much longer length of time than any one turbine tower. A single pad could be used to support successive towers.

Notes from Council, June 30, 2023

Christopher Northcott on July 1, 2023

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

There were three councillors in attendance at the Coffee with Council in Brant on June 8^th. Residents from the hamlet came out to ask questions and discuss county business. For those interested, please stay tuned for the next Coffee with Council that will be held at the Mossleigh Community Hall in late October.

Reeve Schneider and I joined volunteers with the District 20 Fire Association (Champion) to provide a barbecue concession on June 24^th in Champion. We were set up outside the community hall while staff from Vulcan County Protective Services were hosting a free Fire Smart session for interested members of the public. These events will be occurring across Vulcan County throughout the summer with the goal being to have one in every community. Those who attend will gain insight on how to fire-proof their property, as well as have an opportunity to sign up for a free home assessment. There are door prizes to be won and a chance to see some of the equipment used by our local fire protection service. Since 2017, the public education trailer has gone around Southern Alberta, containing a mock kitchen and childrens bedroom. This trailer can simulate various household fires, providing direction on the best ways to react in each scenario.

Notes from Council, May 31, 2023

Christopher Northcott on June 1, 2023

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Deputy Reeve Shane Cockwill and a few other members of council, along with the Chief Administrative Officer, will host the first “Coffee with Council” on June 8^th at 7:00 PM. The venue chosen for this initial offering is in Division 2 at the Brant Christian School Gymnasium.

The May 3^rd meeting of County Council saw the finalization of the tax rate bylaws for 2023. With the overall increase in taxable assessment of 19.55% from 2022, tax rates were lowered by 40% for residential properties and 5.5% for non-residential properties. Given the fact that many ratepayers will have noticed an increase in their assessed values, some landowners will notice the tax savings more than others. That said, the growth in linear assessment from renewable energy installations is expected to contribute $1.78 million to County revenues. Costs have increased for policing and solid waste, and those monies are collected on a cost recovery basis.