County roads in need of repair after harsh winter
Donella Swan
Times Contributor
Wheatland County Council held their regular council meeting on June 7. One of the big ticket items for the agenda was road maintenance and reconstruction to damaged county roads. For weeks Gerry Van Ooostwaard, Public Works Superintendant has been trying to fix roads which were damaged due to flooding. The amount of snow and moisture the area received this winter and spring have caused poor conditions to some gravel roads, while others have washed out completely.
“We want people to know it is on a priority basis. The worst roads will be taken care of first but we are making progress and will be coming around to fixing and grooming all the roads as we can run” said the Public Works Department.
Dust Control
Dust control on gravel roads was also discussed. A motion was made to test out a new canola based product on the roads rather than the calcium chloride based product used in the past.
“You don’t know unless you try” said the Public Works Department.
This new product is non-corrosive to vehicles and non-hazardous to the environment.
The dust control program will be continued, and the Lyalta Road, Range Road 251A will be added to the program. The new canola based product will also be tested at this particular spot.
“Lyalta to me is a good spot” said Alice Booth, Councillor of Division one.
Changes to financial statements
A new way of providing financial statements will be put into place for community Fire Associations. The new way of providing the statements is the same for all non-profit organizations, and is a way of providing information in an orderly fashion to Revenue Canada, while showing citizens how the public money is being spent.
The County wanted to stress the fact that these associations, such as the Rockyford fire department, will not be taken over by the County.
“We are quite proud of our associations” said Glenn Koester, Deputy Reeve and Councillor of Division two.
Animal Care Donations
The County pound is trying to find a new supplier of old blankets and towels. Previously a supplier out of Calgary was providing the blankets.
“We just feel that the animals should have something to lay on when they’re in there, and we came to the conclusion that we’re running out” said the Protective Services Department.
They are currently be seeking a new supplier or donations.
Emergency
Response Time
Council held a discussion regarding which emergency vehicles are the first to arrive to a scene when the call is made. One concern was the ambulance arriving before the fire truck, and the possibility of the EMT’s being put in a dangerous situation.
“The dispatch system needs to possibly be looked at” said Gerald Skibinsky, Manager of Protective Services.
Disaster Relief
The disaster relief application which was sent in earlier this year has been approved, and has taken into account information from citizens who were hit hard from spring flooding. The Alberta Government is committed to providing grant money in order to help these citizens who took such a hard hit.
“This was the first time that the province has come back and approved so many applications” said Skibinsky.