From fire halls to fencing, rural crime to recycling, residents came ready with questions when the MD of Pincher Creek brought its Coffee With Council series to Division 4 on June 16, and council came ready with answers.

Held at Summerview Hall, the third such meeting of 2026 brought together residents, councillors, emergency services personnel and Rural Crime Watch representatives for discussions on issues affecting the municipality.

The meeting drew 10 residents, who sat down with Reeve Rick Lemire, deputy reeve Tony Bruder and councillors Dave Cox, Jim Welsch and John MacGarva to work through a wide-ranging agenda touching on nearly every corner of rural municipal life.

Coffee With Council is an informal, open-house-style engagement session where residents can speak with councillors, municipal administration, law enforcement officials and community safety groups about local issues.

Emergency services update

One of the first topics raised was Pincher Creek’s new fire hall. Council confirmed a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house are scheduled for Sept. 12, giving the public an opportunity to tour the facility.

Fire Chief Pat Neumann said the building includes sleeping accommodations for emergency personnel. Currently, Pincher Creek Emergency Services rents an apartment to house overnight ambulance staff.

The old fire hall remains for sale.

Neumann walked residents through how the ambulance service operates under a provincial contract, with negotiations set to begin again this fall. He noted a combined ambulance and fire service model means personnel work together toward the same goal of community safety.

Most members of the service are local residents, he added.

Questions arose about burn permits. Residents asked when permits would be available online, prompting discussion about a new system intended to ensure fires are fully extinguished after permits are issued. Council noted there were a handful of flare-ups last fall.

Neumann said the current fire risk is low, but cautioned that dry conditions and wind could change the picture quickly.

Council also introduced Community Connect, a self-registration program being rolled out by Pincher Creek Emergency Services.

The voluntary system allows residents to provide emergency responders with information about their homes or farms, including residents’ mobility issues, safety concerns and details about property access. The system will also include aerial mapping imagery. This information will be accessible to emergency personnel only when responding to a call.

Neumann used the discussion to remind residents of the importance of providing accurate location information when calling 911. He advised residents not to use a dash when stating range road numbers and to clearly identify their location as being within the MD of Pincher Creek rather than referencing nearby communities.

Rural Crime Watch rebuilds membership

Representatives from Rural Crime Watch provided an update on efforts to revitalize the group following a period of inactivity and reorganization.

Membership currently stands at 62 and the organization is actively recruiting volunteers — particularly in divisions 1, 3 and 5 — who can help share information and serve as points of contact.

Plans are also underway to install Rural Crime Watch signs at entrances throughout the municipality, although funding is still being sought for signage, posts and installation.

Recycling changes ahead

Residents expressed satisfaction with the MD’s Eco Centre and praised its staff. Council said changes are coming, however, as Circular Materials assumes responsibility for recycling programs across Alberta later this year.

While details are still emerging, residents who currently receive curbside garbage collection will also receive curbside recycling service.

Wildlife fencing concerns raised

Several residents voiced concerns about the province’s wildlife fencing project along Highway 3.

Residents said animals sometimes appear to be trapped by the fencing and questioned whether adequate wildlife crossings are being incorporated into the project.

Council said the province plans to extend the fencing from Cowley to Pincher Station, along with sections of Highway 6.

Deadstock disposal remains a challenge

The issue of livestock carcass disposal also generated discussion. Council reviewed the history of the Waterton Biosphere Region’s deadstock bin program and stressed the importance of maintaining disposal options for producers.

While the municipality sought a host location within the division, no landowner was willing to assume responsibility for a deadstock site. As a result, the airport location will remain in use for this year.

Council hopes to identify a suitable Division 3 location in the future.

Bins will remain on-site year-round but will be locked during the summer months.

Council also discussed broader disposal challenges. With the closure of biogas facilities that previously accepted animal carcasses, disposal options are more limited.

Municipal officials recently met with provincial ministers to discuss concerns surrounding wildlife and livestock disposal. Carcasses must often be transported to the landfill in Lethbridge, the nearest available site.

Road complaints decline

Road maintenance generated several questions from residents.

Council reported that complaints related to roads have declined significantly compared with previous years. Officials credited stronger policies, improved communication and ongoing operational improvements within the department.

Dust control, mowing schedules and weed control efforts were also reviewed.

Dust-control applications were moved earlier this year, though work remains dependent on weather conditions and contractor availability.

Mowing is expected to begin earlier than usual, while weed-control operations are already underway.

Officials also discussed challenges securing gravel supplies, noting the municipality is frequently outbid by private companies when attempting to purchase gravel. Regulatory changes have also shifted approval authority for new gravel pits from local governments to the province.

Other topics

The evening touched on several additional topics, including agricultural equipment rentals, the proposed Alberta referendum and the future of the Pincher Creek Curling Club project.

A resident asked whether the municipality was reimbursed for about $1.2 million spent hauling water during drought conditions. Council confirmed the MD appealed to the province twice but was unsuccessful in obtaining funding.

Council reviewed the history of the curling rink development and explained the club is seeking bridge financing to complete construction. The municipality can decline assistance, provide funding outright or pursue a loan arrangement supported by legal agreements.

Residents also asked about long-standing rumours surrounding a proposed artificial-intelligence facility in the region. Council said no application has been submitted and the project has not advanced beyond where it stood several years ago.

As the meeting concluded, residents thanked councillors for continuing to provide the opportunity to raise concerns and hear directly from elected officials.

The next Coffee With Council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15 at Lundbreck Hall.