Carlyle town council found itself debating curb replacement for some sections of the town following an increasing level of degradation of tarmac curbing used in some residential areas.
The first meeting of the council in the new year began with the reading of minutes from the Dec. 15, 2010 meeting, but stalled when the topic of curbing came up.
At the previous meeting, the council had asked for pricing quotes for rubberized replacement curbing for the areas that have seen significant damage and decay.
The quoted price, $60 per six-foot section, began the debate when it was admitted that the replacement curbing likely would not solve the problem as it was developing.
"With only six-foot sections, I think it would only be good for small spots," said Carlyle mayor Don Shirley.
Turning to councillor Roy Olmstead, who was a town employee and foreman for a number of years, councillor Mel George asked if cement curbing would correct the problem, and if there was enough town property at the roadside for such a fix to be made.
"I think there is enough of our land there." Olmstead responded, before pointing out that the tarmac curbing had been put in several years ago when the roads in the area were resurfaced.
Discussion then drifted to whether, if a cement curbing was to be installed, the curbs should be rolled (having a gradual grade to them,) or straight-wall (squared curbing.)
A further question brought into the discussion was introduced by councillor Wayne Orsted, who asked whether such a project would be classed as an improvement or a repair.
If classified as a repair, the cost of the work would come from the general town treasury, if classified as an improvement, residents in the affected areas would be billed portionally for the work in front of their property.
Recalling that the tarmac curbing had been used in the area as a result of a request from residents in the area who were unwilling to pay the additional cost of concrete curbing, Olmstead added that, when the resurfacing and tarmac curbing was done, the roads affected lost one-and-a-half feet of depth on each side.
Olmstead then again reiterated that whatever decisions the council came to regarding the matter, there would be ample space, in terms of town property, for the work to be done.
The discussion was ended for the time being, and the minutes from the previous meeting were carried.
The Chief Administrators Report was then read into the minutes, with a confirmation that the new components for the town office clock tower had been ordered, and should arrive in due time.
Further, the new town sign, to be located at the foot of Main Street, where it intersects with highway 13, should be ready for installing in March of this year it was reported.
Following the CAO report, the alderman report from councillor George Anderson, regarding the Bear Claw Community Development Grant, brought some bad news.
The community development grant, which is provided for by the Bear Claw Casino every year at a rate of one percent of the net profit realized by the casino, will be dry this year.
Due to the large number of structural improvements carried out in the casino's facility, including the addition of the new Bear Claw Casino Hotel, there will be no money for the grant fund this year, Anderson reported.
Discussions were also held regarding human resource issues with town employees.
The final discussions of note were regarding a letter addressed to council by a local family.
The letter requested clarification of a number of points regarding sale of a town lot that abutted the family's residence.
As part of a new effort to bring more of the issues debated in council to the appropriate committees, thus reducing the amount of time taken in-council to deal with the issues, the letter was forwarded to the property committee, along with instructions to contact the party in question.
The committee will then report back to council with the concerns of the party, research about the issues, and suggestions for council on how to deal with the issue.
Council also decided to provide an arrangement of flowers for the service of departed former mayor Ted Brady.
The town will also make a donation to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada.
