The Town of Coronation council discussed tweaking the speed limit for an important road coming into the municipality. The topic was discussed at the Nov. 10 regular meeting of council.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Delayne Golby noted to councillors that there have been requests to increase the speed limit on Sec. Hwy. #872 as it approaches the Town of Coronation; the road is the property of the Government of Alberta.

The CAO stated that when the road enters Coronation to the north the current speed limit there is 40 km/hr; Golby noted other communities in the region that have similar provincial roads have higher speed limits, some ranging from 50 km/hr or higher.

Golby stated the 40 km/hr limit works well inside the town limits, but the low speed limit begins well outside the town and has also been described as a fairly sudden reduction in speed down to 40 km/hr.

Coun. Ron Checkel observed that this subject has been discussed before.

Coun. Kevin Resch noted that the 40 km/hr speed limit can be tricky for large vehicles like commercial trucks or semis, as the speed reduction coming into town is sudden and the topography in that area has hills which complicate the issue.

The CAO stated staff will contact the provincial government to discuss increasing the speed limit on a particular part of Sec. Hwy. #872.

Animal control

Councillors unanimously approved second and third readings of the updated animal control bylaw, with one note. The CAO advised there was a typo that should be corrected before the readings were passed.

Golby noted that the animal control bylaw lays out rules for how many dogs and cats each residence in Coronation can contain and that apparently the proposed version included in councillor’s agenda package had an error.

She stated the proper number was three dogs and three cats, and during discussion it was pointed out Coronation has traditionally allowed that number of dogs and cats in the past.

First reading of the bylaw had been passed at a previous meeting.

Economic partnership

Councillors agreed to have Mayor Shelley Cook and Coun. Checkel serve as the town’s representatives to the Palliser Economic Partnership.

The partnership is an economic development organization that stretches over a vast area, including Foremost to the south, Coronation to the north, Oyen to the east and Acme to the west. The organization seeks to promote economic development in member communities.

Checkel stated the group usually meets in the City of Medicine Hat and such meetings are usually held during the day. It was noted the group meetings may be moved around.

Checkel volunteered as representative, with Mayor Cook as alternate.

New doctor?

Coun. Resch reported a recent community tour that hosted a doctor who may be considering Coronation as his new home. Resch stated no further updates were available after the tour, which featured the potential new doctor touring various points in the community. Resch stated the tour went very well and the doctor seemed like a very cheerful fellow.

During discussion other councillors confirmed they also attended the tour and felt it went very well, and agreed the potential new doctor was very pleasant to meet.

The CAO noted she also went on the tour and that the event took the better part of a full day. Golby stated regardless of the potential doctor’s decision, the Town of Coronation and its partners will get a response from the doctor.