The new Telkwa town council along with its new mayor Brad Layton held its first meeting last Tuesday.
“I can say that I had butterflies the day before but it was anti-climatic when I was actually doing it,” Layton said. “It went really smooth.”
Outside of committee appointments it was a light schedule for the inaugural meeting.
Council did a first and second reading of a bylaw that would move council meetings to Tuesdays beginning next year.
Cannabis update
Layton said bylaws regarding cannabis consumption and business licensing are the same as the ones for alcohol in Telkwa.
The mayor said council will work on the fine points of the bylaws such as buffer zones. No business have applied or inquired about retail cannabis licenses in the village yet, Layton said.
The mayor said the first things on his to-do list are ensuring everything is in order with the water tower contract so construction can begin smoothly and pursuing funding for other infrastructure projects like sewers and the aging water line in downtown Telkwa.
“I think this council is going to do great things,” Layton said. “We got the experience there; we got an enthusiastic council. I just see us pushing and pushing to get the stuff we need in Telkwa so we’re not in such a dire financial condition as we have been for years and years.”
Committee appointments:
Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako — Layton will be the village’s representative and councilor Annette Morgan will be his alternate.
Northwest Regional Hospital District Board — Layton will be the village’s representative and councillor Morgan will be his alternate.
Northern Development Initiative Trust advisory Committee — Councilor Morgan will be the village’s representative and Layton will be her alternate.
Bulkley Valley Regional Pool — Councilor Matthew Monkman will be the village’s representative and Coun. Leroy Dekens will be his alternate.
Smithers Public Library — Councilor Monkman will be the village’s representative and Coun. Dekens will be his alternate.
Smithers and District Transit Committee — Councilor Rick Fuerst will be the village’s representative and Layton will be his alternate.
Bulkley Valley and Lakes District Airshed Management Society — Councilor Monkman will be the village’s representative and Coun. Morgan will be his alternate.
A representative and alternate for the Northwest Resource Benefit Alliance Political Committee will be determined at a later date.