During their regular meeting on March 26, Ponoka County council heard there had been a wild boar sighting in the west end of the county over the weekend.
In his report to council chief administrative officer Peter Hall said that as an agricultural pest, removal of the boar was an “absolutely necessity.”
Hall’s report stated the animal had been shot in the leg by a landowner and was being tracked by county staff for disposal.
A special pen was being ordered that would assist with ensuring that there was a way to trap future boars.
It was noted the county’s land use bylaw allows wild boars even though they had been designated as an agricultural pest, and this would require another amendment.
During the meeting, agricultural fieldman Justin Babcock updated Council on the status of the wild boar and presented a penning option.
Meridian Beach
Council discussed secondary access to Meridian Beach to allow for proper egress in an emergency situation.
Hall advised the county owned the right of way from the existing cul-de-sac in Meridian Country Estates.
Access could be created to link the cul-de-sac to Range Road 10. This option would be presented to the Meridian Beach Homeowner’s Association at their spring meeting.
Council also talked about the land swap proposed by Norval Horner in order to create another canal and expand Meridian Beach to the north of the existing subdivision.
Weed control
Babcock mentioned to council that he was taking a course about weed control using drones.
The practice is not yet legal but is being considered by some municipalities for remote areas.
Beaver dams
Coun. Nancy Hartford said a beaver dam on private property was slowing the flow of the Medicine River. It was noted that an environmental order would be required to remove the dam on private property.
READ MORE: Water sampling shows Medicine River healthy
PAECS AGM
Coun. Doug Weir attended the annual general meeting of the Ponoka Ag Events Centre Society. They had addressed some minor management concerns by forming a committee.
Weir advised the facility’s utility bills were excessive in January and February.
FCSS Adult Day Support Program
Hartford advised that part of the bid presented to Alberta Health Services to retain the Family and Community Support Services home care contract was to extend the Adult Day Support program to a 12-hour per day program.
This had been accepted by AHS and was being implemented.
Senior’s Housing Committee
Reeve Paul McLauchlin had been appointed to the Minister’s Committee on Senior’s Housing. Currently 24 per cent of senior housing requisitions are paid by municipalities.
Drought response plan
A drought response plan was prepared by the Water Advisory Committee which McLauchlin was a part of.
Housing shortage
McLauchlin noted addressing the housing shortage would be difficult as there is no work force to create the housing that the province is promising.
READ MORE: Unconfirmed wild boar sighting in Red Deer County