Nightingale residents speak out about flooding concerns

Times Reporter

 

Losing land and property damage due to flooding is an issue many residents of Nightingale have been facing. Residents Mike and Barb Froese came to the Aug. 16 Wheatland County council meeting to ask for assistance. Their home has been flooded since April, and they are concerned when winter hits their pipes and plumbing could freeze, creating even more problems. The big question was why the developer didn’t have to raise the level of the property to try to prevent this from happening. Finding an out from the slough, which is keeping the water surrounding the property, is a major concern for the couple. The county will be sending the concern to their insurance company for direction on how they will be able to help. A resident in the county has offered to deliver fill to the couple’s home, which should help them create the three foot berm they are hoping will help address the issues. 

During the public hearing portion of the council meeting many residents from Nightingale spoke on behalf of a new development that may come to the area. While none said they object the potential development, they are concerned about things being built right so that new residents to the hamlet do not face the same problem. As a part of the area structure plan, the issue of proper drainage and access to the newly developed homes will be implemented as a condition.     

 

County victim of fuel theft

Over the long weekend the county was a victim of fuel theft. The perpetrators got away with $7,703.89 worth of diesel fuel. There had been no sign of anyone being at the location when workers returned on the Tuesday, but the missing diesel was soon noticed. Fuel theft has become a problem all over and different suggestions were made to try to prevent it from happening in the future. One of the suggestions by Councillor Alice Booth was to add dye to the fuel, traces of which will remain in a vehicle’s tank for up to two years, giving the RCMP a way to try to track the theft. Another suggestion was bringing the trucks back to the yard for the long weekend. The public works department will be looking into the suggestions and trying to find a solution. 

 

County to cost share 

roof repairs

Golden Hills School Division, GHSD, has asked Wheatland County to cost-share the repairs to their roof. The amount of the repairs is approximately $8,700 and GHSD is asking the county to pay $3,000 for an extended warranty on the repairs. Council has accepted the request and will be looking at increasing the monthly lease contract when it comes up by $50 a month, so that the money spent will eventually be replaced. 

 

Sidewalk work to begin soon 

The contract for sidewalk work for Rosebud and Gleichen has been signed by Brooks Asphalt and Aggregate and is set to begin the second week of September. 

 

Water meter mishap

Wheatland County was recently informed that a water meter in the Gleichen Arena had been bypassed. A contractor had disconnected the meter in the zamboni room after it had frozen in 2008. No record of who authorized disconnecting the meter has been found. The mistake was caught by one of Wheatland County’s summer students. The student realized the meter was disconnected as they were replacing them with new meters. Because of the mistake the county lost approximately $630 in revenue. A motion was passed by council to write a letter to the Gleichen Agricultural Society stating the mistake, and informing them they will now be billed for new readings from the new meter that was installed on July 21.