Penhold council has waived the massive firefighting bill against Wild Rose Manor owner Jim Guilbault, whose 18-unit apartment building was destroyed last spring by a devastating fire.
During the regular Oct. 27 Town of Penhold council meeting, Guilbault appeared in front of council and presented his objections to the $131,864 bill for fighting the fire, which claimed his apartment building on April 10.
The bill included costs associated with water costs ($19,923), town staffing ($3,798), fire foam ($6,621), town fire units ($76,600), and miscellaneous repairs and interest ($17,666) for a total of $137,138 including interest. During the meeting Guilbault said while his insurance company would pay $25,000 of the bill he would not pay the balance.
And on Nov. 10, administration recommended to council to make a major adjustment with the claim on Guilbault.
“Administration has already received a cheque from Guilbault's insurance company for $25,000,” said Tricia Willis, corporate service manager for Penhold. She added administration's new recommendation to council was for Guilbault to pay $23,721 in external fees – monies the town was charged by external firefighting agencies – while the remaining balance be waived.
But council, after open discussion, decided not to charge Guilbault any monies.
“Some charge out fully, while others just take the $25,000 the insurance companies pay and wipe out the rest,” said Cooper. “This is no longer a financial but a political decision.”
Coun. Mike Walsh motioned the town accept the $25,000 and waive the remaining $112,138.
“We have to be careful,” said Cooper of the motion. “By accepting the insurance payment, and writing off the remainder, we are now setting a precedent.”
After a short discussion, the motion was passed and council wrote off the remaining bill.
Guilbault was not in council during the Nov. 10 discussion. He could not be reached for comment on Nov. 11.
