KAMSACK — Dogs running loose, a new traffic bylaw, monitoring the landfill and dust control were among items to concern Kamsack town council at its regular meeting of May 26.
Dogs permitted to run loose in certain areas continue to be a problem this spring, said Barry Hvidston, town administrator. “We may have to look at fining the owners.”
“So far, no one has been fined, but if the office continues to receive complaints, we will have to fine the owners,” he said. A first offence is about $150.
Council spent time reviewing a proposed new traffic bylaw, he said, explaining that much of the language in the existing bylaw is dated. For example, reference is made to the 1983 Highway Traffic Act in the previous bylaw, which now must refer to the new Traffic Safety Act.
Parking around the schools will be changed, he said, as an example of changes. The new bylaw proposes that the school zone be extended to the north side of the street at both schools and the school bus stop area at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute be reduced from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily to 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Some other “no parking” zones will be removed.
It is possible the bylaw will be approved by council at its next meeting and then it must be forwarded for provincial government approval.
Council was told that a contract has been signed with Tetra Tech of Saskatoon to monitor Kamsack’s landfill.
“It is costing us $35,000 a year to have the company have its representative in town to test such things as air quality and groundwater,” explained Mayor Beth Dix, adding that this monitoring is a requirement of the government.
The inspector will come twice this year to take samples because Kamsack is closing its current landfill, but hopefully it will be less expensive in future years when only one inspection a year will be required, Dix explained.
The town hired 3D Trucking of near Saskatoon to apply dust suppressant on 4.5 kilometres of gravel roads in the community, Hvidston said. Previously, the community had paid about $20,000 to apply the dust suppressant itself, but this year it will cost only $17,000 for a job that will be less trouble, cheaper, better and quicker.
The Kamsack Swimming Pool will soon be filled in order to open in mid-June, he said.
The pool will have a new power washer to clean the facility before it is filled, as well as a new lifeguard chair, some toys and shade devices, Dix explained.
Public works had to deal with a major sewer plug near the orchard where a 12-inch line was plugged and it took about 12 hours to unplug it, Hvidston said. A crew with a camera is due to arrive within a week to look at the pipe to see how much damage was done.
Tax notices have been mailed, he said, adding that he and the assistant administrator plan to attend the Urban Municipal Administrators Association of Saskatchewan (UMAAS) convention to be held in Saskatoon June 3 to 6.
A vehicle has been purchased for the bylaw enforcement worker who has been using his own vehicle, he said. The 2017 GMC Canyon was bought for $20,000.
Council provided input into the town’s website and a new lease has been signed for the office photocopier.
Approval was granted for Launey Panchuk to purchase the lot next to his property on Hudson Bay Avenue and consolidate it with his.
