Food bank and museum OK’d for grant money

By ROY WOOD

Oliver council opened the grant-in-aid chequebook on Monday to two local non-profits looking for help.

The Oliver Food Bank sought $3,000 to complete a solar panel project, which will see the operation become electrically self-sufficient and save about $500 a month in power bills.

The grant would cover the last three units of a 20-panel solar installation. The other 17 panels, which are already in place, were obtained through various donations.

Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger pointed out that the grant would enable the food bank to put even more money back into the community. Council unanimously approved the grant.

Oliver and district Heritage Society executive director Manda Maggs told council that when a group of volunteers was working recently on a landscaping project they discovered a problem with the sewer line. The cost of repair is estimated at $1,200 and the society asked the town for $600 to cover half.

Mayor Ron Hovanes said he had spoken with RDOS Area C director Terry Shafer, who informally agreed to pay for half of the $600. So council agreed to contribute $300.

Meanwhile, council voted to spend $12,500 for a consultant’s conceptual plans for roads and services north of the town boundaries. The affected area is on the east side of Highway 95 immediately north of town.

CAO Cathy Cowan told council the report would provide the town with a better plan for road and infrastructure when developers begin to show interest in the properties.