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Mark your calendars—Municipal Election Day is October 20, 2025! The Village of Berwyn is seeking nominations to fill five (5) Councillor positions to represent and advocate for the interests of all residents. This is your chance to step forward and make a difference in our community!   Visit our 2025 Elections webpage for:  Information and forms for candidates  Voter information  Links to important election resources For any questions, contact Returning Officer Jatin Saini at the Village Office at 780-338-3922 or via email to cao@berwyn.ca . This is an important opportunity to contribute to Berwyn’s future—whether as a candidate or a voter, your involvement matters!

New Council Meeting Structure Council held its first meeting of 2025 under the new structure outlined in Procedural Bylaw 718. Last year, Council voted to reduce the number of meetings to one per month and start the meetings at 6 pm instead of 7 pm. This change reduces costs and increases efficiencies. The next regular council meeting will be held on February 13, 2025.   Library Request Council approved a request from the Berwyn Library to use the craft area for Cinema Sessions and Council allocated $200 towards the costs of a movie projector screen for the library. Council thanks the library staff for their ongoing dedication to providing activities for residents.   Resident Delegation  A resident attended the meeting to discuss snow removal on the walking path across from the railway property and the Village of Berwyn's image with the Councillors. Council expressed gratitude to the resident for their time and attendance.   Spring Municipal Leaders’ Caucus  Council authorized Mayor Nicole Johnson, CAO Jatin Saini, and three councillors to attend the Municipal Leaders’ Caucus and President’s Summit in Edmonton from March 5-7, 2025. This event will provide important opportunities to discuss municipal priorities, network with leaders, and advocate for Berwyn’s interests.   Public Works Update Council reviewed the Public Works Report summarizing work performed over the past month, and noted challenges due to equipment issues, rapidly fluctuating temperatures/weather, and a small crew making snow removal and sanding roads difficult. Public Works encouraged residents to bring any concerns about Village operations or missed tasks to their attention by visiting the Public Works Shop or calling 780-625-7290. The Public Works foreman emphasized, “Communication is very important, and we will always try our best to address any concerns that arise.” Council commended Public Works for their hard work and care for the community while often working with limited time and resources.    2025-2027 Strategic Plan Council reviewed the Village of Berwyn 2025 Strategic Plan, developed during a full-day planning session in November 2024 facilitated by Community Futures Peace Country. The Strategic Plan includes a SCOR analysis (Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, and Risks), goals, initiatives, action items, and measurement metrics. The goals include: 1) Promote the Village of Berwyn to attract new residents and businesses, 2) Continue with recommendations from the Municipal Affairs Viability Review, 3) Identify and pursue regional collaboration and economic opportunities, 4) Engage residents through enhanced communication and consultation efforts, and 5) Build capacity within Public Works to address maintenance needs. The Strategic Plan will be posted at berwyn.ca in the coming weeks.    Happy New Year Council extends its best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2025 to all residents and supporters of the Village of Berwyn. Council looks forward to building on the positive momentum created in 2024 and making 2025 a year of growth and success for the Village residents and visitors.

Arena Discussions Council engaged in discussions with Jonathan McLeod of the Berwyn Arena Society regarding the future of the Berwyn Arena. Council encouraged McLeod to engage with the community to gather support and provide a viable plan for the Village of Berwyn’s consideration. Meanwhile, Council is pursuing an appraisal of the property and has enlisted a real estate agent to list the arena. Small Community Opportunity Program Council discussed the Small Community Opportunity Program grant funding and approved moving forward with an application for approximately $65,000 to upgrade emergent technology needs and provide staff training which will improve accessibility and efficiencies in the Village's operations. Remuneration Policy Council reviewed the remuneration policy concerning the compensation for the Mayor and Council, including allowances for mileage, meals, and other expenses. The last review of this policy took place in 2020. After careful consideration, Council has approved an increase, which will result in an additional $2,500 per year, effective January 1, 2025. This adjustment brings Berwyn's compensation and allowances in line with those of other municipalities of similar size. Even with the slight increase in remuneration, costs for Council will be lower in 2025 as they are moving to one meeting per month instead of two. Water Test Results Council reviewed annual water test results to ensure the safety and quality of the Village of Berwyn’s drinking water. The test results met all required standards and a copy of the results will be made available on the website in the coming weeks. Public Works Equipment Quote Council reviewed quotes for a John Deer Skid Steer as a part of ongoing efforts to address Public Works equipment needs. The Village of Berwyn is assessing its Public Works equipment to apply for the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) Grant. This includes evaluating both equipment replacement and necessary repairs. Procedural Bylaw 718 Council approved Procedural Bylaw 718, which outlines the procedures for Village of Berwyn Council meetings, including rules for scheduling, the conduct of Council members, and public participation. Changes to the policy include reducing council meetings from two per month to one (to be held on the second Thursday at 6 pm) and decreasing the delegation allotment time from 30 minutes to 15 minutes. These changes will reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Merry Christmas Wishes from Council The Village of Berwyn Council extends its warmest regards to all residents, community organizations, businesses, and supporters, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Council also expresses its sincere gratitude to everyone who organized and participated in last weekend's Super Saturday celebration. The Village of Berwyn office will be closed to the public from December 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025.

The Village of Berwyn is seeking kind-hearted volunteers to help shovel snow for our senior residents who may need assistance this winter season. If you're able to lend a hand and support our community, we’d love to hear from you! Interested? Contact the Village of Berwyn office at 780-338-3922 or email clerk@berwyn.ca to get involved. Let’s join together to keep our seniors safe and warm!

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 Council will meet on December 15, 2024, for a full-day meeting to review and discuss the Village of Berwyn’s 2025 budget. 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 (𝐋𝐆𝐅𝐅) 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 Council reviewed pricing for a new skid steer and discussed temporary options to repair aging and failing Public Works equipment. As part of ongoing efforts to address equipment needs, the Village of Berwyn is assessing its Public Works equipment to apply for the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) grant funding. This includes evaluating both equipment replacement and necessary repairs. 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 In accordance with Bill 20: Municipal Affairs Statute Amendment Act, Council directed the Village of Berwyn’s Acting CAO Jatin Saini to sign the Data Sharing Agreement and submit it to Elections Alberta. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝟕𝟏𝟖 Council directed Administration to make minor housekeeping amendments to Procedural Bylaw 718 and bring the amended version back to the December 12, 2024 meeting for final approval. Bylaw 718 outlines the procedures for Village of Berwyn Council meetings, including rules for scheduling, the conduct of Council members, and public participation. Changes to the policy include reducing council meetings from two per month to one (to be held on the second Thursday at 6 pm) and decreasing the delegation allotment time from 30 minutes to 15 minutes. These changes will reduce costs and increase efficiencies. 𝐔𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝟕𝟐𝟎 Council reviewed Utility Bylaw 720, which outlines the process for administering utility accounts, water services, disconnections and reconnections, sewer, and garbage services. Council directed Administration to make a clarifying amendment for Council’s approval at the December 12, 2024, Council meeting.

The Village of Berwyn has made a crucial decision regarding the future of the Berwyn Arena by choosing to proceed with its sale. This choice, while significant, was not made lightly. The Village Council is dedicated to transparency and wants to clearly communicate the reasons behind this decision. Background On October 10, 2024, the Village Council met to discuss an appeal from the Arena Society. They urged the Council to reconsider the sale of the arena and asked for a chance to propose a viable plan for its future. Despite this, as of November 25, 2024, the Council had not received any substantial proposals or feedback from the Society. This absence of a viable plan played a critical role in the Council's ultimate choice. The lack of communication suggested that a workable solution to secure the arena's future was unlikely. Reasons for the Decision High Operating Costs The Village incurs significant annual expenses to maintain the arena, including utilities, insurance, and general upkeep. These costs strain our operational budget, diverting funds from other essential services. This financial burden takes away from funding essential community services. As the village budget tightens, it is increasingly difficult to justify the continuing investment in the arena when it draws resources from vital programs. Cost of Repairs The financial burden is further compounded by the estimated $150,000 required to repair the ice plant. Previous assessments highlighted no guarantee that these repairs would ensure the ice plant's future functionality or longevity. Investing such a hefty sum without any assurances, especially when the village is facing budget constraints, is not seen as a practical financial decision. The Village must prioritize spending in ways that address the community’s more pressing needs. Community Feedback A past survey conducted with residents showed a lack of support for increasing taxes to fund repairs or operations for the arena. Council has taken this feedback into consideration in its decision-making. This feedback made it clear that the community prefers financial strategies focused on broader benefits rather than preserving one specific facility. Understanding resident priorities is essential for making choices that truly reflect their needs. Financial Responsibility With the Village's financial position, taking on additional liabilities is not feasible. Selling the arena allows the Village to focus on sustainable priorities that benefit the broader community. This focus aligns with responsible governance practices and acknowledges the financial realities the Village faces. By making this decision, the Council demonstrates a commitment to the community's overall well-being. Commitment to Transparency The Village Council understands that the arena has sentimental significance for many residents. This decision was made with careful consideration of all factors, including community input, financial implications, and the lack of a viable alternative plan. After thorough deliberation, the Village is moving forward while responsibly managing its financial resources. Looking Ahead The Village will ensure that the process of selling the arena is conducted transparently and responsibly. We remain open to engaging with residents and community organizations to explore ways to support recreation and community activities in other ways. We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of our residents as we navigate this difficult but necessary decision. If you have questions or wish to provide feedback, please contact the Village office at  780 338-3922 By keeping residents informed and engaged, the Village can pursue initiatives that reflect the values and needs of the entire community. Through open communication and responsible decision-making, Berwyn aims to lay a strong foundation for its future.

The Village of Berwyn is proud to be a Citizens on Patrol (COP) community, actively working together to keep our neighborhood safe. Our volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the community and have built a strong partnership with local law enforcement, who attend our meetings and collaborate with us in our efforts. Please consider getting involved, as they are always looking for new members. The more we have, the greater the coverage of our area, and the safer our community will be. If you’re interested in learning more, we encourage you to connect with a Village of Berwyn COP member. COP members act as a vital liaison between the community and the RCMP, ensuring we all stay informed and connected. For more information, please contact the Village Office and we will connect you with a member. If you see something suspicious in our community, remember to report it immediately to:  RCMP: 780-624-6611 or Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477 Together, we can continue to make Berwyn a safe place to live. Join us and be a part of the solution!

We're excited to introduce Madison McLachlan, our new Front Desk Customer Service and Financial Assistant at the Village of Berwyn! Madison is a fantastic addition to our team, bringing her friendly demeanor and dedication to providing excellent service to our residents. Living on a farm in the County of Northern Lights, Madison considers Berwyn her hometown, as many of her friends and family reside here. A recent graduate from GPS in 2023, she entered the workforce to find inspiration for her future career. In her spare time, Madison loves cooking, baking, horseback riding, and camping. So far, her favorite part of working for the Village of Berwyn has been meeting everyone and getting involved in the community she knows and loves. We’re thrilled to have her on board!

October 10, 2024 Organizational Meeting Council held its organizational meeting where Nicole Johnson was elected as Mayor, Ken Montie as Deputy Mayor, and Councillors were appointed to various committees and boards. Council thanked Ken for his service as Mayor and welcomed Nicole into the role.   Arena Delegation Johnathon McLeod, a Berwyn resident and Arena Society member, attended the meeting to discuss the future of the Berwyn Arena. Positive conversations were had, and Council will address the topic further at the October 24, 2024 council meeting. Atco Energy Systems Representatives from ATCO Energy Systems provided information about the Lights Out program and ATCO Franchise fee. They also shared information regarding a community grant program aimed at energy efficiency and encouraged residents to use the ATCO app for real-time updates on outages and to report streetlight issues. More details can be found at atcoenergysystems.com . Mowing Services Approval Policy Council approved the Mowing Services Policy, which establishes guidelines for the approval of external mowing and grounds maintenance in the Village, ensuring the process is streamlined and transparent.