Comox Fire Rescue will continue to provide fire protection services and emergency assistance to the Bates-Huband fire protection local service area for five years.
Comox council unanimously approved the agreement at last week’s council meeting, extending the agreement that has been in service since 1997.
The Bates-Huband area is a small area located north of the Comox Fire Protection District. As it is closer to the Comox Fire Hall than the Courtenay hall, and it is on the same side of the river as Comox, it is more logical that fire protection be provided by the Town, explained Shelly Russwurm, deputy corporate administrator, in her report to council.
The last five-year service agreement between the Town and CVRD expired on Dec. 31, 2018, and the new agreement will end on Dec. 31, 2023.
The annual payment to the Town is calculated by apportioning the cost of the Comox Fire Department to the net taxable value of land and improvements in the Bates-Husband area, which was $27,400 in 2018.
One addition provision in the new agreement is to allow for recovery of extraordinary costs incurred by the Town during extraordinary fire situations such as scene security or the use of heavy equipment.
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Despite the wintery weather that has hit the Comox Valley in February, a four storey, 81-unit mixed-use commercial residential building on Anderton Road should be ready for occupancy within a few months.
Mayor Russ Arnott noted at last week’s ouncil meeting the building at 635 Anderton Rd. – created by Broadstreet Properties in Campbell River – should be ready for occupancy in mid-July.
It will include approximately 625m2 of commercial premises in addition to the residential units and 111 parking spaces.
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