OXBOW -
Meeting January 25, Oxbow Town Council agreed to proceed with plans for the paving and servicing of the Coldridge Road. Bullee Consulting Ltd. of Saskatoon will be asked to put together cost estimates for paving, sewer and water, based on survey work that's been done.
On a Swanson/Mercer motion, Council agreed to initiate the local improvement process, hire Bullee and apply for federal provincial funding to cover two thirds of the project cost. Once costs are established, affected property owners have the chance to petition against the work.
The Coldridge Rd. is to be paved from the Highway to Marian Ave. Town administrator Brad Vanbeselaere said sewer lines would need to be laid from Beryl to Marian for unserviced lots and the new industrial area. He said owners of about 20 properties would cover a portion of the cost. The town would be responsible for easements where streets connect and for any work adjacent to the proposed industrial development area.
In other business it was reported that final stages of Land Titles registration with regard to the new subdivision on the west side should be completed this week.
An extensive report was tabled from KGS MR2 Consulting Engineers on Oxbow's Water Treatment Plant. Town foreman Bob Schooenbaert pointed out that it identified "no immediate risk". The report recommends further trial procedures leading to a long term oxidant/disinfectant water quality regime. The goal is to ensure compliance with Provincial Regulations established following water quality issues in Walkerton, ON and North Battleford.
The new tests will be conducted over a ten day period in March by Dave Clark Water Consulting. The work will be managed by MR2 and a report is anticipated for Council's June meeting. Costs were estimated at $17-20,000.
There was further discussion of water capacity. Mayor and Fire Chief Doug Pierce was interested in assessing pressure and availability in the event of a multiple fire truck fire. Thinking of the Kindersley rink fire, he realized that Oxbow would be in a much better fire-fighting situation given availability of other fire departments, the Souris River, the pool in summer and many available water haulers. Pierce reported that a six-person committee is investigating the equipping of the new fire truck, examining what other departments have and that a second business is interested in tendering the work.
Vanbeselaere told council the Town will receive a Municipal Recycling Bridge Funding Program grant. "It's the province helping small communities" with recycling. At $1.66 per capita, it's worth almost $2000.
Economic Development Officer Penny Schooenbaert said the Community Foundation has received substantial donations invested in low risk options. She is planning a meeting to discuss possibilities for a new town hall with volunteers who have been working on the matter and councilors Corey Mercer and Judy Swanson. She's looking at possible funding for a feasibility study for creating more family housing.
Councilor Judy Swanson reported that the Oxbow/Enniskillen office is coming along rapidly. "It's really nice!" she said. She suggested it's time to look at the rental space in the new building and what to do with the present building. The administrator was instructed to seek an appraisal for the existing Town Office and look into commercial rental rates.
Starting the yearly budget process early and discussion of by-laws and by-law enforcement ended the meeting.
