New agreement over highway maintenance

A revised agreement between the Town of Maple Creek and the Ministry of Highways will spell out responsibilities for maintaining Highway 21.
The Town will now receive a $12,612 annual grant from the province for highway upkeep, which includes filling in potholes and snow clearing. Previously, the Town got half that amount for such maintenance.
Major highway work will be the responsibility of the province, which will pay for it out of their budget.
News of the revised agreement was disclosed to Town Council by Barry Elliott, chief administrative officer, after he and Gavin Graves, director of operations, met Ministry of Highways representatives.
Speaking at the August 23 Council meeting, Elliott said the agreement would identify the division of responsibilities between the Town and ministry.
He said the additional grant would not be an opportunity for the municipality to make money.
“We will be required to track our costs and will have to submit an accounting of that,” he said.
He added that the Town would continue to be diligent in monitoring its stretch of the highway and present accounting details to Council.
Councillor Len Barkman asked about responsibility for signage.
Graves said the department of highways had always been responsible for signage.
“We will know more when we see the agreement,” added Elliott.
Meanwhile, in his written report to Council, Elliott said he and Savannah Mass, communications and tourism manager, had spoken with Jennifer Getz, executive director of SaskBuilds and Procurement – Infrastructure Planning and Priorities, to update her on the status of the Visitor Reception Centre lease.
“Ms Getz will follow up at her end and contact us further.”
Elliott went on to discuss the North Lift Station project, saying he, Kerrie Chabot, chief executive officer, and Graves had met Rahim Ahmad of Associated Engineering and representatives of BYZ Enterprises Inc. for the second “kick-off” meeting of the project.
“BYZ has been on site and the dewatering of the site is underway. All aspects of the project and the timeline for the project were reviewed.
“As well, the BYZ Lift Station Safety Plan has been submitted for our records.”
Michelle McKenzie, the Mayor, asked for more details about the North Lift project water issues.
Graves said the amount of water found at the site had been anticipated.
“We are making progress in dewatering,” he said.
Elliott also told Council that the application submitted for the Town of Maple Creek’s participation in SUMAssure’s upcoming Loss Prevention Pilot Project has been accepted.
“I will keep Council apprised of the specifics of this project as it unfolds.”

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