CARSTAIRS - Changes have been made to the Town of Carstairs historic resource bylaw to better support the Carstairs historic society’s grant application efforts.
The changes were approved by way of motion at the Feb. 26 council meeting.
Bylaw No. 2017 permits the Town of Carstairs to designate a municipal historic resource real property, including lands and buildings, features and structures upon the lands, whose preservation the council considers to be in the public interest because of their heritage and value.
The Knox Presbyterian Church at the Carstairs Heritage Centre has already been so designated.
“The amendments were more or less to help with grant funding,” said the town's chief administrative officer, Rick Blair. “We had to do some word-smithing to give them (historic society) a better chance of getting funding from the province.”
The updated bylaw now states: “Compensation in the form of conservation grants, via Heritage Preservation Partnership Program, is available through the owner of the Knox Presbyterian Church, if listed on the Alberta Register of Historic Places, provided that an application is submitted directly to the province by the owner.”
Town council recently supported a grant proposal being made by the Carstairs Heritage Centre for the creation of a new exhibit about the development of public utilities in the town and area.
“The proposed exhibit will analyze the development of public utilities in Carstairs and area,” centre curator/manager John Cole said in a letter to the town. “It would be helpful for this grant competition for the town to support this project.”
Richard Dais Scholarship change
During the Feb. 26 council meeting, council also approved amendments to several other policies.
The updated Richard Dais Scholarship policy now includes a new purpose statement, which reads in part: “In keeping with Richard Dais’ keen interest and work in the health care of our population, this scholarship valued at $600 will be awarded annually to one student citizen of the community of Carstairs who can best define the idea of how their chosen field will improve the health of the community they will be living in.”
Another change to the policy states that eligible students will submit their application essays anonymously and that the “successful candidate will be one that most clearly shows plans of improving or encouraging the betterment of the community of Carstairs.”
The Citizen of the Year Award policy’s purpose statement was updated to read: “The Town of Carstairs has established an award to be awarded annually to three student residents of the community who have been valued citizens in our community.”
Previously the award was only available to Hugh Sutherland School students.
The Provincial Sports and Youth Leadership Awards policy’s purpose statement was updated to read: “the Town of Carstairs will recognize individuals/teams and coaches within the Town of Carstairs that qualify to participate at a provincial level in their sport. As well as recognition of those who exhibit a strong sense of leadership in the Town of Carstairs community.”
