Innisfail has officially appointed a pair of weed inspectors for 2011.
At its regular meeting on May 9, town council agreed to appoint Kelsey Wood and Art Preachuk as weed inspectors.
It is the second consecutive year the town is contracting the service.
Council made the initiative as required by the Weed Control Act to control noxious weeds.
In 2010 the town entered into a contract with Red Deer County for the latter municipality to provide weed inspection services.
Council was told the partnership called for the County to hire and train weed inspectors who had superior knowledge of noxious weeds and were able to quickly address areas in town that had weed infestations.
According to an administration report to council the weed inspectors worked closely with town staff and that the 2010 program was a “success.”
Council was told that town staff wanted to continue the program for this year and that funds were set aside to provide the service.
“The town was pleased. There is a lot of education that dealt with weed infestation,” said Darryl Joyce, the town’s director of corporate and protective services who added the Canada Thistle is one noxious weed that grows in overwhelming numbers in town.
The resolution to continue the program was passed unanimously by council but not before a concern was raised by Coun. Derek Baird who said some citizens were upset to see Red Deer County stickers on weed inspector vehicles.
“There was a big uproar,’ said Baird, amidst lively laughter from the rest of council.
It was then suggested that when in town the inspectors should remove the County “stickers’ on their vehicles and replace them with magnetic door placards of Town of Innisfail insignia.
