A new four-way stop will be placed at the intersection of 16th Street NE and First Avenue NE to help control traffic in that area. City councillors addressed concerns in regards to the new signage during their monthly meeting on July 19.
According to Blaine Frank, city engineer, the transportation planning study completed by Stantec on the intersection did not have enough traffic to warrant stop lights. By installing the four-way stop, it is hoped that vehicle delays at the intersection will become more evenly distributed between the north-south and east-west movements.Also recommended in the traffic study of that intersection is a modification to a separate left turn and a shared through and right turn lane on both sides of First Avenue. Frank mentioned that while this is being considered, it would not occur right away as the first phase of changing the intersection will be the four-way stop signs.Plans moved forward for a new Automated Refuse Truck system, after City Council approved a bid by Fer-Marc Equipment for a 2011 Freightliner 24-yard Automated Tandem Refuse Truck. The price of the truck will include extras such as an automated greasing system, and driver controlled locking rear differentials for traction and air ride cab. There were two bids for the tender, and the lowest quote was Fer-Marc Equipment.Concern to the tender was raised by Coun. Bill Rudachyk, noting that he and other city councellors had received some concerns from residents. "I want to ensure that we have addressed all these residential concerns before moving forward with the approval of the truck tender."Blaine Frank noted that city crews have toured other placed in the province who have a similar system, and feel comfortable that "Solutions are out there to any residential concerns." He added that Weyburn is one of the last cities in the province not to be using the Automated Refuse Truck system.Feeling that "time is an essence" in accepting the tender, so that the Automated Refuse System could be introduced by 2011, Mayor Debra Button mentioned that most comments she has heard have been positive. She agreed with Frank that any issues that might arise would be able to be worked out.Mostly, the Automated Refuse System was seen as a "step forward," said Coun. Dick Michel. "It will definitely assist in getting our garbage trucks out of the back lanes."In other council business:• The City of Weyburn is investigating the feasibility of a pigeon control program. The first phase will be to assemble a list of properties experiencing pigeon problems.• In regards to property sales for the month of June, the building department reported nine residential, one commercial and one industrial. The year to date total net property sales is 46.
