Town of Golden News: September 2025

Join the ReDi Grant Local Selection Committee!

Want to play a key role in Golden’s largest annual granting program? The Town of Golden’s ReDi Grant Local Selection Committee needs two new members.

This Council Committee oversees the distribution of over $300,000 annually to local projects through the Columbia Basin Trust’s ReDi Grant Program, and this is your chance to be part of the decision-making process!

As a committee member, you are required to attend just five meetings a year, are expected to maintain a level of confidentiality, be committed to reviewing applications and participate in the adjudication process. Your commitment will directly support individuals and groups bring projects to life that benefit our community. Over the past 15 years, this committee has approved millions of dollars in funding for local projects.

Here's what you need to know:

  • Meetings are typically held on Wednesday/Thursday evenings, with one meeting in late November or early December, one in mid-February, and 2-3 meetings in March.
  • The first meeting is scheduled for November 26, 2025, at 5:15 p.m.
  • The committee includes 9 members, including representatives from Council, the Golden and District Community Foundation, and community members like you.
  • We’re looking to fill two positions on the committee, with one position designated for a resident of Area A. So whether you call the Town of Golden or Area A home, you’re eligible and encouraged to apply!

How to Apply

If you would like to be a member of this rewarding community committee, forward a detailed letter explaining why you would be a great candidate by Wednesday, November 5, 2025, by email to:

Alysha Saville, Director of Corporate Services & Communications  
alysha.saville@golden.ca

Or drop your letter off at Town Hall.

If you have questions, please reach out by email at alysha.saville@golden.ca or call 250-344-2271 ext. 235
 

 

Council Briefs

Find out what's new at Town Hall with Council Briefs.

Find out when the next Council meeting its:

Upcoming Council Meetings

Here is a recap of the September 2025 Council meetings. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at www.golden.civicweb.net and meeting recordings are available on the Town's YouTube channel.

Council Corporate Sponsorship Policy Council voted to amend its Corporate Sponsorship Policy to include an updated request process to improve transparency and better streamline the distribution of funds to applicants. Learn more about the policy and the process at www.golden.ca/sponsorshipfund

Asset Management
Council voted to approve submission of an application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) Capacity Building Stream in the amount of $44,625 for a long-term financial plan for asset management. Council also voted to approve an amended 2025 project operating budget of $73,000 to be funded by the Asset Management Grant of $23,375, the SPF grant of $44,625, and general operating funds of $5,000.

Council Code of Conduct bylaw
Council voted in favour of amending Bylaw No. 1479, 2023, Council Code of Conduct, to include a summary of each Councillor’s attendance at Regular Open Council Meetings (ROCM), Committee of the Whole, Standing Committee, Strategic Planning, Special, and Closed Meetings, as part of the Annual Report and Council Term report.

 

Fire Hall Enhancement
Council voted in favour of a capital budget amendment of $75,000 for a Fire Hall Enhancement Feasibility and Design Project to be funded from the Building and Facility Reserve and the Asset Renewal Reserve. Council also voted in favour of endorsing an application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Strategic Priorities Fund for up to $7 million for the fire hall enhancement.

Well 7 
Council voted to acknowledge the requirement for continuous disinfection of Well 7 water according to provincial regulations and approved a budget amendment to increase the 2026 Capital budget by $570,000 to be funded from the Capital Water Reserve allowing for tendering of the project in fall 2025 with construction in 2026. To learn more about this project, visit www.golden.ca/well7 and check out the update below.

Planning and Development
Rezoning and Development Variance Permit - Horsfall: At the September 16 meeting, Council gave first reading to Bylaw No. 1499, 2025 Town of Golden Zoning Amendment - Horsfall; and directed staff to bring back options for limiting short term rentals with second and third reading of the bylaw.

2025 Housing Needs Report: Council received a presentation of the 2025 Housing Needs Report from Will Volpe of Urban Matters and voted to adopt the report in principle.
 

Project Updates and News

Free yard waste roundup: October 23

The Town of Golden will run its annual free yard waste roundup on Thursday, Oct. 23. Residents can place yard waste in containers, compostable bags or bundles at their regular curbside collection area before 8 a.m. on October 23 for free pickup.

Bagged yard waste must be in a compostable bag for pickup.

Here are some tips that residents need to know about this year’s yard waste roundup:

  • No registration is required.
  • Place yard waste in containers, compostable bags or bundles at your regular curbside area before 8 a.m.
  • Bagged yard waste must be in compostable bags or it will not be picked up.
  • This service is for yard waste only. This includes grass clippings, leaves, tree cones, tree branches, shrubs and bushes. These items must not exceed eight inches in diameter or eight feet in length. Items exceeding these maximum dimensions will not be picked-up.
  • Please bundle prunings to make it easier and faster for us to collect.
  • No other types of waste will be accepted, including construction wood waste.
  • If residents wish to use their black garbage container, please ensure it does not contain garbage before adding yard waste.
  • Any yard waste not placed in containers, bags, or bundled at the curb will not be picked up.

Any yard waste not placed in containers, bags, or bundled at the curb will not be picked up.

Participating in the yard waste roundup is also an opportunity to FireSmart your property. Yard maintenance, such as cleaning gutters and removing leaves and other debris, is a simple FireSmart action that helps remove potential fuel sources from around your home.

To learn more about FireSmart at www.firesmartbc.ca

Well 7 Update.

Since 2023, the Town of Golden has been working to secure a new drinking water well to meet Golden’s needs for the next 20+ years. After careful study and consultation with Interior Health Authority (IHA) and subject matter experts, Dogwood Park was selected as the best location for Well 7.

Initial testing confirmed that Well 7 showed high potential for water quantity and quality. Further assessment classified the source as “Groundwater At Risk of Containing Pathogens” (GARP). GARP does not mean the water is unsafe, it means the well source requires treatment to ensure protection against possible bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.

In alignment with IHA recommendations and provincial standards, the Town is proposing a dual-barrier disinfection system for Well 7, including:

  • Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection
  • Chlorination (proposing minimal required dosing for regulatory approval)

Design work is now underway for the Well 7 station, with construction planned for spring 2026 after IHA permit approval and public tender. The Town is working to make sure the lowest possible chlorine dose is used, balancing safety with water quality preferences.

We understand some residents may be concerned about the taste or smell of chlorine.

Here’s how you will be able to minimize this at home:

  • Leave an open jug of water overnight in the fridge.
  • Use a Brita-style carbon filter pitcher or install a carbon filter on your tap.

The dual-barrier disinfection will be implemented once Well 7 construction is complete in late 2026 or early 2027.

To learn more, visit www.golden.ca/well7

For more information about drinking water chlorination, visit https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/drinking-water-chlorination-facts