By Lyonel Doherty
The Town of Oliver is a new best friend to the local food bank and the heritage society.
Recently, council approved grant-in-aid requests to both agencies for a total of $3,600.
The heritage society requested $600 from the Town to help repair a sewer line that is holding water in a low spot (which is impacting proper drainage). The total cost of the repair is $1,200.
Executive director Manda Maggs said they have to address this issue right away because the society has begun its heritage garden construction and needs to install a wheelchair accessible sidewalk directly above the sewer line.
“Makes sense to repair it prior to the installation,” she said.
Chief Administrative Officer Cathy Cowan noted that a lease agreement that the Town has with the society states that such repairs are the responsibility of the society. She also pointed out that grant-in-aid rules states that local organizations receiving Town funding through other mechanisms are not eligible for grants.
But council used its “discretionary” grant-in-aid budget to help the society. It will also seek $300 from Area C to help pay for the repair.
The food bank requested a grant of $3,000 to complete its solar panel project. Four panels are needed to complete their goal of establishing a total of 20 panels on the roof.
Treasurer Jim Ouellette said each panel costs $750. “We expect that with reduced expenses towards power bills, we will be able to reallocate those amounts to activities that benefit the community and the users of the food bank.”
Ouellette said the food bank would like to be electrically self-sufficient by the end of 2017.
He pointed out they serve 500 people a month with 25 volunteers, who don’t get paid.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said this solar project is a very worthwhile project because it will reduce the food bank’s costs and offer more to people in need.
