Focused on Faro, March 2023

FOCUSED ON FARO

Mayor, Council, & Management would like to Congratulate Adam Inskip, Todd Gunn, Ryan Belling, and Chris Wilkinson (left to right) for completing their Water Treatment Operators Level 1 & Asynchronous Course. Council is fully supportive of the Public Works Crew getting this training and proud of them for all successfully completing this course.

Council Meeting

Council Chamber is open to the public. TheCouncilMeetingsare:

March 20, 2023 Special Meeting

March 21, 2023 Regular Meeting

March 28, 2023 Special Meeting

April 4, 2023 Regular Meeting

April 11, 2023 Special Meeting

Copies of meeting agendas are posted at the Town Office, Post Office, CIBC Bank, and at faro.ca.

The Public Package will be available on the Town’s Website at the time of the meeting at: faro.ca/p/council-meetings

Meeting ID: 506 321 8045

Passcode: 641202

~Mark Vainio, OM

COUNCIL UP-DATES

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Jack Bowers

Negotiations have begun with Yukon Government to finalize a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Town of Faro (TOF) to become a “regional landfill” and thereby accept non-hazardous municipal solid waste (MSW) from outside of our municipal boundaries. YG is proposing that the Faro Landfill become the Faro Regional Landfill that, by agreement, accepts solid waste from those properties/persons/companies within the specified regional Faro area. This would include properties along the Magundy River, Little Salmon Lake, Ross River and those properties along the Robert Campbell Highway to limits yet to be defined.

The agreement would provide for an annual payment to TOF for each property within the “Faro Region” plus providing for the Town to collect tipping fees from users for approved types of waste as set forth in the agreement. The Town’s position would also require an additional annual payment made by YG to TOF for environmental, regulatory, and capital costs associated with Faro becoming a regional landfill. Faro’s landfill is just one of two municipal owned landfills, the other is owned by the City of Whitehorse. This makes us somewhat unique from other Yukon communities.

TOF’s position in the negotiations should be that there must be economic benefit to the Town for entering into such an agreement, otherwise it is to be avoided. Because we are a privately owned landfill, we have the right to limit the use of the facility to users within our municipal boundaries.

For some time, Faro has been accepting MSW from other users by placing the three 6 cubic meter bear proof bins next to our landfill entrance. The taxpayers of Faro in effect have been subsidizing the non-paying property, person, companies, etc. users of our facilities free of charge. The volumes of MSW waste placed in these bins increased dramatically when YG arbitrarily closed the Drury Creek Landfill. YG made no effort to establish a MSW transfer station nor compensate Faro for accepting waste from rural users, most of whom pay taxes to YG, not Faro. This practice must stop. One of the bins will need to be relocated to the Tintina Subdivision, the others moved elsewhere.

The consequences of the recently signed Municipal Solid Waste Management Plan for how we must operate Faro’s landfill brings a much higher operating cost along with it. Should Faro sign off on the MOA to become a regional landfill, of course much higher costs will also follow. Council together with our administration will closely scrutinize the aspects of the agreement to determine if it is in our best interests. Council would like to know your thoughts on this matter. Please let a member of council know how you feel about such an agreement, or better yet, come to a council meeting and engage in a discussion during the public question period.

I NSIDE T HIS I SSUE

FEES & CHARGES BYLAW

By Larry Baran, CAO

As a community is created and grows, different fees and charges are established by Council to cover the costs of operations. After 50 years, Faro has a lot of various fees and charges. One problem that Faro has experienced is ‘managing’ those fees and charges. As each bylaw that carries a fee or charge is created, those bylaws should be revisited regularly to ensure that the amounts quoted are appropriate and make sense. Of course, the problem is that it is very easy to miss revisiting one of the many bylaws that Faro has on record.

That is what happened with the Business License Bylaw from 2005 that hadn’t been updated since then, or the Cemetery Bylaw that hasn’t been revisited since the 1980s.

So, what do other communities do to reduce the possibility of missing a review of municipal fees and charges? They create a Fees and Charges Bylaw where ALL municipal fees and charges are centralized and listed in one document. This makes it easier for municipal staff to reference the current charges and for Council to review all service fees each year to ensure that services are invoiced appropriately. Many communities don’t adjust their fees each year to accommodate for inflation, so the community waits for a few years and then authorizes a significant increase (e.g.: $5.00 fee becomes a $10.00 fee) and the community residents complain … and rightly so. However, if each year the service fee was increased by a small percentage (e.g.: $5.00 fee becomes a $5.45 fee), it is much easier for residents to accommodate for that increase.

With Faro Town Council soon having a Fees and Charges Bylaw in place, not only will it be easier for the residents to see what the service fees are, it will also assist

Council is determining whether a service fee should be adjusted in the coming year.

experience and it is not unique to Faro.

Digging is difficult and excavator equipment will often result in creating more damage before repairs can be completed because the large chunks of frozen ground can damage the water main pipes as they are being pulled apart and clawed out. A job that might happen relatively quickly in the summer can become a lot harder as frozen ground and cold temperatures take a toll on equipment, underground infrastructure, as well as the staff.

Later in the newsletter, you will read about a new Vactor Truck that the Town is acquiring and there is a reason why the Public Works Department is happy about this acquisition.

By the end of April, the Senior Management Team hopes to have a Fees and Charges Bylaw in place, to make it easier for the public, staff, and Council to have all services fees recorded in one place. And, the new bylaw will be posted on the website for all to see.

W INTER W ATER M AIN B REAKS

Few things are more discouraging to any Public Works Department than discovering a water main leak in the middle of winter. The ground is frozen, but water is bubbling up and creating a frozen ice surface on the roads or surrounding areas. Each year, this is a challenge that all municipalities

Instead of digging a hole with an excavator to expose the water main leak, the Vactor truck acts like a combination pressure washer and vacuum cleaner at the same time, spraying the hole with hot water to melt the frozen ground and sucking up the water & mud. No pounding or clawing at the ground, which risks doing more damage. The vactor truck simply cleans out around pipes, wires, and anything underground so crews can locate the leak problem and fix it.

We are fortunate this year that a water main leak on Dawson Drive will be addressed by a rental vactor truck. That unit was called in for work up at the mine, and the Public Works Department was able to get the crew to stay an extra day to assist us while they are in the area. Fortunately, after the Town’s Vactor truck arrives, problems that used to take several days to resolve will be able to be addressed within hours.

The process of creating a Fees and Charges Bylaw is much like cleaning out your closet, a lot of work at first, but it sure makes everything easier once done.

OFFICE & ADMINISTRATION NEWS

MESSAGE FROM THE CAO

Larry

Baran

The Administrative Staff for the Town of Faro are being kept very busy as Council reviews the projects planned for the 2023-2025 budget cycle, including a detailed review of the 2023 Operating Budget. I have been a CAO in Alberta, the NWT, and the Yukon and I can say that I am impressed with the sincerity and focus that this Council has on completing this budget review.

It is often said that a budget is just everyone’s ‘Best Guess’ and, to a degree, that is true. As Mayor Bowers noted, however, annually approving a budget that contains a Deficit, yet results in a Surplus at the end of each year, indicates that we are doing something wrong.

As such, Administration appreciates the extra effort that Council is placing on the review and examination of budget proposals for this year. I also appreciate Mayor Bowers perspective that three things are needed to accomplish any goals: Time, Money, and Resources. By maintaining a reasonable number of projects, ensuring that we have the funding to complete those projects, and keeping the appropriate number of people employed to get the projects completed, we will have a better opportunity to experience success in achieving the goals that we have set for ourselves.

And Administration is very pleased that Council is finding ways to address long-outstanding projects like maintenance and repairs. Council has a strong belief that the Town assets need to be maintained, and some maintenance has been delayed for too many years. Residents should be aware that while there are a few grants that we are also seeking that are 90% funded, or 75% funded, (where we need to match the difference) those grants are few. Most of the grants that Council supports in 2023 are 100% grants, where 100% of the project is covered by outside funding. With the number of funding application approvals that we are experiencing with grant & funding applications, 2023 appears to look like it will be a very productive year.

 In the 1950s, Kent cigarettes contained asbestos in the filters to reduce the harmful effects of nicotine.

 In the early 1900s, Bayer produced a cough syrup that contained heroin.

 Until the late 1960s, doctors were prescribing amphetamines to help people lose weight.

 And, of course, Coca Cola really did have cocaine as part of their formula until 1903.

Can you think of something that was a good idea its time, but later was proven to be not so good?

Don’t remember when car seats looked like this? This was high tech in the 1960s.

WILL THE TOWN TAKE SOME PROPERTIES BACK?

By Larry Baran, CAO

The short answer is, Maybe. When the Town disposed of the old Faro Real Estate housing units, most units were blown out at “Fire-Sale Prices”. For example, one six-plex sold for $10,500, and another sixplex sold for $10,800. One fourplex sold for $7,550. One triplex sold for $5,200. While those sale prices were extremely low, the agreements contained performance clauses where the owner agreed to improve the property to the point that the units would become habitable again. Some units even sold with grants whereby a portion of each annual renovation investment would be returned.

So, what has happened since these sale agreements took place between 2017 and 2019? In some cases, a lot. In many cases, very little if anything. So, here we are in 2023, and there is a demand for housing in Faro. Had these units been renovated as originally contracted, there would be no housing crunch but, because people did not honor their contract, we are in the awkward situation of having a sur-

plus of uninhabitable housing. Wasn’t there a clause in those agreements where the Town could take the units back for ‘NonPerformance’? Yes, and that is the difficult decision that Town Council faces right now. If the Town exercises those clauses, those people who purchased properties BUT failed to complete their agreement would lose their initial investment, lose any property taxes they paid over the years, face the costs associated with transferring the property back to the Town, and damage their credit record. The Town doesn’t want the burden of becoming a real estate company (again), but inaction on some people’s part is pushing the Town into that position.

What should people do, then, if they have property that can’t afford to renovate but they still have that legal responsibility? Well, they can sell the property to someone who can do the work. It really is a simple choice: Either risk losing everything if the Town legally recovers the property or make a little of it back by selling the property privately. Town Council needs to make some difficult decisions this

The Town of Faro has a number of job opportunities. Some of the postings below are already posted online, others will be posted in the next few weeks.

RECREATION & CULTURE

 Pool Coordinator

 Head Lifeguard

 Junior Lifeguard

 Facility Attendant

 On-Call Janitor

PUBLIC WORKS

 Assistant Gardener

 Senior Supervisor

 Summer Student

 Landfill Operator/ Bylaw Enforcement Officer

Please check the faro.ca website often to be sure you do not miss an opportunity.

Car Seat Safety is just as important in the community as it is on the Highway. Check your Childs weight and height before moving them to the next stage. If you need help with getting your child’s measurements, call the Faro Health Center at 994-4444.

Further information can be found on the Yukon Government website yukon.ca/en/ child-car-seats and assistant is available by emailing road.safety@gov.yk.ca or calling at 1-800-661-0408, ext. 5832.

RECREATION & EVENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE G.M. OF RECREATION

Denis Bento

The seniors had so much fun in Whitehorse last month. So, they asked for another trip. Well, be careful what you ask for, because you may get it! We were approved again for the New Horizons for Seniors Program Grant (NHSP) – this grant will cover the expenses for the painting workshops, aquafit classes, yoga classes, trip to Dawson, and more. More details about the activities/trip will be shared soon. In addition, we applied for the Canada Post Foundation Grant –if approved, we will get a bunch of new gymnastic toys, mats, and recreational toys for the Rec. Centre

FATHER PIERRE RIGAUD ARENA

THIS year was our first time running the arena with natural ice in over 30 years. Thus, we learned quite a few things. First, because of the insulation in the building, when the temperature gets to -7 outside, the arena ice will start melting even with the side doors opened. Second, we planned to keep the arena going as long as possible. However, the outside temperatures will get to +3 this weekend. As a result, the arena's last day will be on March 20th or before, depending on the weather conditions. Thank you to Public Works Department for running the Zamboni, the recreation staff for keeping the arena open,

and the volunteers that ran the Youth Hockey program!

YOUTH GROUP

There is a Youth Spring Break trip to Whitehorse on March 2426 and many youth activities in March (please see poster for more details). I want to take this opportunity to thank our youth for all they have done so far. They made all types of cappuccinos, coffee, expressos, and lattes during the Ice Worm Squirm Festival. Although we will use the YDAP grant for their trip to Whitehorse, all the money made during their volunteering activities will go towards extra expenses during their trip. Additionally, thanks to the recreation staff for supporting and inspiring our youth.

WEIGHT ROOM

We have noticed an increase of heavy weights plates/dumbbells left on the floor after users' workouts. With the weight room being open 24/7, it is challenging for our staff to organize it after business hours and on weekends. That said, we are always taking action to make the weight room great for people to work out. So, we added more signs to the gym, such as (please put all weights away after each use). In addition, we talked to a couple of individuals we noticed were

leaving their weights on the machines and floor. Moreover, we will keep monitoring the weight room and cameras. Weight room members should put all weights away after their workout. So, we look forward to seeing everyone cooperating to have an organized place for physical activities.

HUMAN RESOURCES

We are looking for a couple of swimming pool staff and a Facility Attendant for the Interpretive Centre (CRIC). Please look at our website for more information. http://faro.ca/p/employmentopportunities

KIDS CLUB PROGRAM will run during Spring Break. Please also check our Facebook page/poster for all the Spring Break activities.

GYMNASIUM FLOOR

Last but not least, the new gymnasium floor construction will start beginning of June (2023). Again, we are grateful for the Canadian Community Building Fund.

Motoring Munchkins

Wednesday, March 15 & March 22

Time: 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Bring your wheels to the Rec. Center and motor around the Gymnasium. Children under 6 mush be supervised. Don’t forget your helmets.

Spring Crafts

Wednesday, March 15

Time: 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Join the Rec. Staff in the Youth Lounge for some spring time crafts. Family Movie on the Big Screen

Friday March 17

Time: 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Kids Crafts & Games

Saturday March 18 & March 25

Time: 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Join the Rec. Staff in the Youth Lounge for some Crafts & Games. Giant Games & Board Game

Extravaganza

Friday, March 24

Time: 2:00-4:00pm

Come to the Gymnasium for some Giant Board Games.

TOWN OFFICE

Closed Fri. April 7-Mon. April 10

LANDFILL

Open Regular Hours

REC. CENTRE

Closed April 7 for Good Friday

Open Sat. April 8. Closed Sunday & Monday

Resume Regular Business Hours on Tuesday April 11

*Community Program/not organized by Rec. Staff

** Bi-weekly Call Rec Center for details.

***Program takes place at the Father Pierre Rigaud Arena

The last day for the Father Pierre Rigaud Arena will be March 20

Recreation Centre/Arena Closed on Sundays

Questions or comments? Please contact the Faro Recreation Centre at 867-994-2375 or email recreation@faroyukon.ca

Schedule is subject to change

FARO JUDO CLUB would like to wholeheartedly thank all of the sponsors that helped make these local sessions possible over the last few months.

Lotteries Yukon, Boreal Engineering, Discovery Store, Yukon Energy, BettyBoops Guest House, Van Gorda Enterprises, Pilgrim's Landscaping and Snow Removal Services as well as a local donor that would like to remain anonymous.

We would also like to give a huge thank you to the staff at DVG for the use of the gymnasium and all the help opening and closing up for us. We really appreciate the support of our Town Council through the Lotteries Yukon program and helping to provide such a positive

SPRING BREAK TRIP TO WHITEHORSE

March 24 26, 2023

If you are interested in attending the trip to Whitehorse, please make sure your permission forms are signed and handed back in to the Rec Centre by Friday, March 17th. Youth will need 10 volunteer points (aka 10 hours of volunteer service to attend this trip. If you do not have enough points yet, don’t worry! There’s still lots of opportunity to obtain them – talk to the Rec staff at any time. This trip will include lots of amazing activities, such as skiing and/or snowboarding at Mount Sima, Glass Blowing at Lumel Studios, Glow Bowling at Northern Lights Bowling Alley, Swimming at the Canada Games Centre, Axe Throwing (waiver to folow) and some free time downtown and near Walmart. We have obtained funding to cover all activities and meals, but please bring extra money for snacks and free time to shop if you like (but is not necessary).

KETTLE CAFÉ

Those who are interested in training to be baristas, please talk to Tina.

Sheep & Crane Festival: The Kettle Café will be open throughout the festival, let Tina know your availability to work shifts. We will also be selling food items, snacks and desserts. Donations of baked goods and other items would be appreciated!

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER

Thurs. March 23, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Tufting Workshop with Vashti Etzel

Tues. March 28, 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. Sign Workshop with Sarah Smith

Thurs. March 30, 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. Leather Wallet Workshop with Attilla Heipel

Tues., April 4, Time TBA

Drum Making and Drumming with Jenny and Dennis Shorty. May

Thanks you to The JBH Band for the awesome show.

Tobogganing on March 3. What a fun Party!

Bouncy Castles in the Gymnasium Friday Night!

Kettle Café. The Youth Group did an amazing job serving coffee to help fund their Whitehorse trip later this month.

Thank you to the Tintina Gun Club for putting on the Turkey Shoot Competition.

Congratulations to Stephane Grenon & Family for winning first prize in the Snow Sculpture competition

1973 Ice Worm Squirm Schedule

PUBLIC WORKS & OPERATIONS UP-DATES

MESSAGE FROM THE OPERATIONS MANAGER Mark Vainio

PUBLIC WORKS CREW

Water service leak on Dawson Drive – we will repair as soon as we are able – water main is shallow and in frost. We’d like to hydroexcavate this to avoid more damage. We are operating perimeter valves to be able to isolate the break if something bad happens during the repair.

We’re snow clearing, pulling streets and hauling when able.

We are short-handed, so please be patient.

We’ll be posting for a Full-Time Landfill Operator/Bylaw Enforcement Officer right away.

4 of our crew recently completed Water Treatment Level 1 training. One more will be taking the course soon. We will have two certified Water Treatment Operators. 3 that took the training are unable to get certification (though they passed the exam) because of insufficient hands-on hours in our Water Treatment Plant.

Next training will be Cross Connection/Backflow Assembly Tester

Certification. This is necessary as we have many backflow assemblies through our water system and most of our buildings. The training will be in Whitehorse, so we’ll only be sending two people for this. Also, Waste-Water Collection Level 1 which can now be completed online. These training courses provide a level of comfort to our Regulators that we are maintaining our systems to the required standard.

GARDENING CREW

We will be posting for vacant positions soon. We’ll be looking for a Seasonal Assistant Gardener, Seasonal Part-time Assistant Gardener, Mature Student and Students again this year. Marissa Piercey will be joining us again as our Head Gardener.

Flowers and material have been ordered for this year, so we’ll be preparing the green-house to receive those.

DENA CHO TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS

– CDF Grant

Final reports are completed and submitted. Trail is cleared and broken all the way to Ross River. Bridges and cabins are all in good condition. We’ll be making an extra effort to support annual maintenance to this trail and others as well.

COMMUNITY SERVICES BUILDING

We’ve been storing some material and equipment inside. Some deficiencies have been corrected. Many have not. This will be a process before we can move in.

Communications tower, door locks, card locks all need to be corrected before we can move in.

PHASE 2 CONSTRUCTION

Norcope had requested a meeting with the Town Mayor and Administration prior to the season Startup in an attempt to address some of our concerns from last year. This should happen before the end of March as they were unable to attend the previously scheduled meeting. Construction start-up meeting will be in late April or early May several weeks before the project actually begins.

We Apologize for any Inconvenience this may cause, and We Thank You for Your Cooperation.

2013 VACTOR 2112 PLUS FAN Canadian Community-Building Fund

The Town of Faro recently purchased a used Vactor truck. This is a very important purchase and will increase the amount of work the Public Works Crew is able to complete to our Waste Water System. The track is well equipped to complete a number of jobs around Town including:

Sewer/Storm Main Cleaning, 70 gal/min at up to 3,000 psi with 600’ x 1” hose;

Water & Debris Tanks Joined, this means we can fill water tanks by sucking it up from a pond into the debris tank with the vacuum hose (want clean water and clean debris tank). Great for remote site work (such as clearing culverts). 12 cu.yd debris tank, 1,300 gal water tanks;

Air Purge, or draining water in colder conditions. Drain valves everywhere;

Winter Insulation Package, Cold weather recirc at 250 GPM;

Wireless Controls for Vacuum and Rodder, Also, lighting packages for winter work;

Jet Rodder Accumulator, for punching through blockages;

Hydro-Excavator, for exposing utilities and cleaning for repairs or new service installations with 800,000 BTU water heater;

Hydraulic Tool Package, for jackhammers, wrenches, impacts;

Extras We Ordered, new suction tubes, clamps, nozzles, elbows, tiger-tails, and roller guides (to protect hoses from sharp edges going into manholes and mains), Jetscan camera (fits on rodder hose and will camera our

sewer/storm mains to identify trouble areas) and onsite operator training for our crew.

If this truck was new, it would cost (as dressed) $700,000. We were very fortunate to be ahead of the curve finding this truck as other larger municipalities are just now starting their shopping for these trucks and there is a high demand. Town of Faro Council is well aware of the magic these trucks can do and I really excited to be involved in bringing this unit here. This truck would not be possible without super strong Council support and probably not at all without Gas Tax Funding.

If this truck is working in your neighborhood this summer and you notice your toilet gurgling, please notify the operator immediately so he can dial it down. We don get the job done. We where we need to keep the pressure down so we can mark it on our mapping and not have any repeats.

Doing laundry is most likely part of your every day routine. But did you know how important taking care of your clothes dryer is to the safety of your home? With a few simple safety tips you can help prevent a clothes dryer fire.

 Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.

 Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.

 Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.

 Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.

 Keep dryers in good working order.

 Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.

 Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer.

 Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

TOWN OFFICE

Public hours are Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm.

TOWN CONTACT INFO & STAFF DIRECTORY: Chief Administrative Officer

Larry Baran 994-2728 ext 4 cao-faro@faroyukon.ca

Operations Manger

Mark Vainio 994-2728 ext 7 Town Shop: 994-2758 operations@faroyukon.ca

GM of Recreation & Culture

Denis Bento Rec. Centre: 994-2375 recreation@faroyukon.ca

GM of Finance

Lenka Kazda 994-2728 ext 3 finance@faroyukon.ca

Executive Assistant

Jennifer Brooker 994-2728 ext 5 admin-faro@faroyukon.ca

Finance Clerk

Glenda Power 994-2728 ext 2 finclk@faroyukon.ca

Correspondence to Mayor & Council: mayor.bowers@faroyukon.ca councillor.nyland@faroyukon.ca councillor.medvid@faroyukon.ca councillor.fetterly@faroyukon.ca councillor.mchugh@faroyukon.ca