April 29th – May 4th Inclusive

Please remove all vehicles, campers and trailers from off the streets during this time.

Also, please move basketball nets further back so the sweepers can get as close to the curbs as possible.

Thank you.

TIME EXTENSION – ROLL WILL BE OPEN UNTIL MAY 20, 2020 AT 5:00PM

The 2020 Assessment Roll is now open and available for public inspection. As the Office is closed to the public due to the COVID-19 virus, you are asked to call ahead (306) 771-2284 for an appointment to view the Roll in our Administration Building. We will provide access for the public while ensuring the recommended safety protocols are kept. The sheet “Questions Frequently Asked Regarding Appealing Your Property Assessment” is a valuable informational tool and follows this notice. The S.A.M.A. (Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency) website (www.samaview.ca) is another valuable tool.

Assessment notice changes have been mailed out to property owners for their review. As per our Bylaw #319/2005, Assessment Notices have not been mailed out to properties that have not changed in assessment for this year. All property owners have from March 20, 2020 to April 20, 2020 to review their assessments. Assessment appeals are to be filed with the Town Office by April 20/20 at 5:00 p.m. These may be mailed in or dropped off at the office with the appeal fee of $75.00.

Please feel free to contact our office staff at (306) 771-2284 or email at [email protected], should you have any questions about the assessment of your property. We would be happy to answer your questions and provide further direction.

The next four-year Revaluation process for the Province is in 2021. The last provincial-wide Revaluation was in 2017. The base date for the 2021 Revaluation will reflect a property’s value as of January 1, 2019, not January 1, 2021.

2020 Notice of Preparation of the Assessment Roll

The Town is asking homeowners to work with us in avoiding unnecessary repairs to home and Town sewer (wastewater) systems by flushing only toilet paper and human waste down toilets. This will allow our limited crews to focus on the delivery of essential services and maintain social distancing guidelines.

• Flushing anything other than pee, poo, and toilet paper down the toilet can clog pipes and create sewer back-ups, which can be costly for both homeowners, neighbour’s and the Town.
• Wipes may be “flushable” but they don’t break down like toilet paper does. Toilet paper will disintegrate after it’s flushed, but so-called “flushable” wipes retain their shape and strength, causing blockages in pipes.
• For the same reason facial tissue, napkins and paper towel cannot be flushed down your toilet. They do not break down as toilet paper does, and lead to clogs and sewer back-ups.
• Wipes, paper towel and all other items used as a toilet paper alternatives should be bagged and disposed of in your garbage cart.
• Help us to help you to prevent the plug in yours and our sewer (wastewater) collection system.

Put these items in the garbage:

• Feminine hygiene products
• Condoms
• Wipes marked flushable (baby, facial, hand)
• Cleaning rags
• Hair
• Cotton swabs/cotton balls
• Paper towels, facial tissues
• Dental floss
• Household hazardous waste

In an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Town of Balgonie is taking measures to support the Province of Saskatchewan’s health orders. The situation is changing rapidly and updates will be posted on the Town’s website and the Town’s Facebook page.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our local community of Balgonie, Town Council has made its response to the crisis in the following ways:

• Recreation and culture facilities are closed to the public until further notice.
• Playground structures are not open to use by the public until further notice.
• Town Council meetings will be held keeping with current social distancing recommendation and the orders pertaining to attendance at meetings. At this time, the public is asked to attend remotely if you wish to participate or attend a Council Meeting. Please call our office at 306-771-2284 or email [email protected]. We will discuss your options for attending by telephone or video conference.
• The Town of Balgonie has made arrangements to ensure that the Town’s essential services continue: Water, Sewer, Transportation Services, Sanitation, Protective Services and Administration. Staff and Council are practicing social distancing, rotating schedules, virtual access and separation of employees at work sites.
• The Town office while closed to public access is still operating daily, Monday to Friday. The telephone and emails will be answered by staff. Payments will be accepted via on-line banking, cheque, or credit card by using the Plastiq “Pay Now” option on the Town’s website at www.townofbalgonie.ca. If you require your account number, please contact our office. The front lobby doors will be open during business hours for anyone wishing to drop off cheques under the office door.
• The Town Council of Balgonie has implemented discontinuation of interest and penalties on outstanding taxes and utility accounts for a period of six months. No utility accounts will be disconnected during this time period. The Town of Balgonie understands that at this time, households may be struggling to make full payments and this cancellation of interest penalties will help reduce the strain. Although utility account payments may be made for the amount and frequency which you decide, the Town appreciates the payments that are made by the due date. Interest will resume on accounts at the end of six months and will apply to the total overdue balances at that time. If you require further information on your accounts and interest penalties, please contact our office staff for assistance.

These are trying and uncertain times for our Community, Province and World. It is apparent that this crisis has impacted everyone and there will be difficult challenges ahead. The Town Council wants to commend all of the efforts that are being made in the community to protect our citizens. Your efforts to social distance and isolate from others, when required, is key to fighting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Balgonie is continuing to show its strength and heart through the many efforts and good deeds of family, neighbours, community groups, and volunteers.

On behalf of Council,
Karen Craigie,
Administrator

April 1, 2020 Message from Council

TOWN OF BALGONIE
TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2020
AGENDA – SPECIAL MEETING

Call to Order – 6:15 P.M.

Approval of Agenda

Declaration of Conflict

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss interest and penalty relief for Town residents due to the economic impact of the Public Health Emergency – COVID -19.

1. Interest Penalty Relief for Taxation.
2. Interest Penalty Relief for Utility Billing.
3. Communication to Town residents regarding the Public Health Emergency and the Town of Balgonie’s response.

Adjournment.

ELECTRONIC MEETINGS:

The Town of Balgonie will hold this meeting in the Balgonie Administration Building Council Chambers. Members of the public that wish to attend the meeting are asked to do so via remote methods. If you are interested in attending this or any future meetings of Council while there are restrictions on meeting sizes due to the Public Health Emergency, alternate arrangements will be made. Please contact the Town of Balgonie at 306-771-2284 prior to the meeting to discuss the options with Town Staff.

March 31, 2020 Special Meeting Agenda

1. ON-LINE BILL PAYMENT
   Available for all major banks.
   Choose: Add Payee
   Search for “Balgonie” – (Town) – Utility or Tax
   (please do not choose Balgonie Water that is not a town account)
   Taxes – use your roll number as your account number
   Utilities – use your account number located on your utility bill.
   
2. PAY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE
   www.townofbalgonie.ca
   On the home page, scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, on the right hand side, click on the “Pay Now” button. You will need to create an account to use this service. This will ensure that all your personal information is protected (please note that the user is responsible for all service charges).
   
3. SEND A CHEQUE IN THE MAIL
   If you do not use on-line banking, please feel free to send us a cheque in the mail.
   P.O. Box 310
   Balgonie, SK
   S0G 0E0

Payment Options

We have received a notice from the Quad Town Forum along with an updated list of public closures in the neighbouring towns and rural municipalities.

In response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus:

The Town of Balgonie has decided to close its recreational and culture facilities in order to slow the rate of the COVID-19 infection, effective March 17, 2020. The Arena, Multiplex Hall, Heritage Place, the 50+ Club, the Balgonie Branch Library, the Balgonie Curling Rink will be closed until further notice.

The Town will also close the Balgonie Town Office for public access, although staff will be available via telephone and email. Residents who wish to make payments are asked to do so online with your financial institution or mail your payment to our office. Public works staff will continue to perform their essential duties to ensure ongoing municipal services including, water, sewer, road and path maintenance. If you have any questions, please call 306-771-2284 or email [email protected]. After hours emergencies to be reported to 306-535-4235.

The Town Council meeting scheduled for March 23 has been cancelled, in further efforts to reduce community contact. April Council meetings will be advertised as the situation is reviewed.

These decisions were not made lightly; however, were made in the best interests regarding the health of our community and to prevent strain on our local health services. The Town of Balgonie will continue to communicate about reopening these facilities with its ratepayers as more information becomes available.

The Town of Balgonie is accepting bids on the garage door shown in the poster. The door is 10′ wide by 12′ high (rails are included).

Sealed tenders will be accepted at the Town office until Monday, March 2, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

Town of Balgonie, 129 Railway Street E. Balgonie, SK

Door will be available for pick-up after the new door has been installed.

Door for Tender Poster