Parents Buzzing Over Proposed Beekeeping Bylaw

Parents Buzzing Over Proposed Beekeeping Bylaw

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

News of a proposed beekeeping bylaw in the Town of Mundare has some parents buzzing in the school community.

Town Councillor Rick Patrie said the proposed beekeeping bylaw was discussed at the Jan. 25 School Advisory Council meeting. Patrie said no one at that meeting spoke in favour of it because the bees would be in close proximity to Mundare School.

Crosswalk on Secondary Highway 855.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Patrie said there is a lot of sidewalk traffic in the area with students walking to and from school as well as young children from the local daycare and concerns regarding bee stings, especially if some of the children are allergic.

“It just takes once,” said Patrie, referring to having an allergic reaction which could have serious consequences. It might also make the town liable if an incident should occur.

“The school is very strongly opposed to it,” stated Patrie during the Feb. 1 council meeting. “They want to know what they’d have to do to oppose it,” added Patrie.

Colin Zyla, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Mundare, said he is in the process of drafting the bylaw based on the information he’s received.

Mundare School adjacent to residential development.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Zyla said when the bylaw is presented, council could give first reading and then hold a public hearing if they so desire. “This type of bylaw doesn’t have to have a public hearing, but you could have one if council so wishes.”

Patrie said there are a lot of different rules regarding beekeeping and feels the town has to do more research on it first.

The request for a beekeeping bylaw came from resident Donna Lecht prior to Christmas.