Town Council was called to order on Oct. 3, 2012. The two new councillors were present to observe the meeting as an introduction to what their new positions would entail.
The council reviewed acts which had been completed prior to the meeting including the repainting of the lines coming into town from number 13 highway onto Main Street as white instead of yellow. There have been many compliments on this new feature the town has established.
The subdivision was discussed concerning a 50 percent down payment on an 18 month timeline to get the subdivision going. Since it is land they are going to purchase for certain and with construction sometimes taking longer than anticipated. They, therefore, decided to bring the offer of paying 50 percent up front, but to ask for no finish date in case construction is held up as they will not be backing out of the deal.
A sewer line blockage had been addressed previously and the homeowner was reimbursed for their troubles as tree roots were the cause of the problem. This homeowner was required to call the plumber back to remove the blockage caused by roots again. Following discussion the town decided not to pay for the plumber a second time because roots do not grow back that quickly. The job wasn't considered to be finished following the first unblocking.
Peter Robertson and Todd Thompson were called into the meeting to discuss their concerns regarding the new water and the water treatment plant. First they presented a piece of pipe which had been corroded by the old, hard water. The new water has been clearing the lines possibly resulting in leaks being created in old copper pipes. Plastic lines are reported to be doing fine, but the old copper pipes are becoming a concern.
Following this Robertson and Thompson addressed water consumption numbers from 2009 until today. Consumption has gone up exponentially and much quicker than anticipated. Population wise Carlyle has, according to figures, almost reached its 20 year projected population since the water treatment plant was planned.
Currently the water plant is running steadily and they are concerned about meeting demands. Robertson and Thompson therefore suggested a new skid which would contain two more trains and another well would solve this problem. The new equipment would also mean if problems arose concerning one of the trains they would still be able to meet the populations need.
The old system is able to work as an emergency back-up, but water restrictions would need to be enacted if this emergency were to become a reality. However, this is an option for the town to consider as well.
Following Robertson and Thompson's report the town decided to revisit the question following the rest of council as the Swimming Pool Committee was also waiting to present their progress. Ultimately the council decided to price out different components and see what would be the best solution for the town. The subject will be revisited next council meeting as this hasn't been budgeted for the year and will become one of the major topics the new council will revisit.
Finally there has been confusion concerning paying to fill your own tanks at the pump. People have been putting dollars in at a time, which results in the pump just getting going only to quit. A sign is needed to let people know a minimum of $10 must be put in to get 100 gallons out.
The town sign for Carlyle is ready to be picked up in Estevan and will be placed on its mount again soon.
The Swimming Pool Committee arrived to speak about their advancements in the creation of a zero entry. They have started digging for the new expansion, which will add 1,500 square feet. A different contractor has been found to complete this task as the one they hired for the resurfacing of the pool earlier this year was not a good fit.
The Committee has successfully found many businesses willing to help. JJ Trucking has offered to provide all fill, the company installing the pool has agreed to donate the fixed water toys that will be placed, and Shaw Earth Moving has agreed to excavate the area for the expansion free of charge. Crescent Point has agreed to give $100,000 to the pool and will have the naming rights for five years according to the contract. CanElson has given $25,000, Carson Energy has donated $10,000 that will be given over a period of time, and Spectrum has donated $20,000. The R.M. as well as the town has also assisted the Committee. Also, Carlyle Motor Products will be buying the bike to be raffled off at the next Boogie Fest, which will garner more funds for the pool.
They have also been working towards obtaining grants including CIF Vitality, an accessibility grant, Aviva Community Grant that people are encouraged to vote for at www.avivacommunityfund.org or it can be found on Facebook, as well as many smaller ones.
With the expansion the Committee asked if the town would sign off on allowing them to expand the fence line in order to increase the sitting area. The new fence wouldn't interfere with any structures already present, but would simply take a small amount of the parking lot. Grass would be planted here and eventually gazebo-like structures would be put up that could withstand Saskatchewan winds.
A donor board will be remade for the pool and different materials than the current one will be used as it is fading.
The Mayor was contacted by the Brady family concerning the renaming of West Park after Ted Brady. The family asked if the town would possibly consider renaming the airport in his honour as he was very much involved with paving and modernizing it. Upon discussion it was decided this would be something they would think about and would involve the family in naming the airport. People have expressed interest in donating towards signage for this cause.
There was a meeting mayor Don Shirley attended concerning rural and remote health. It concerned doctor recruitment and a lack of communication with Sun Country. Sun Country was said to be at 50 percent capacity of doctors. Shirley had to explain the town's meeting with Sun Country at the last town meeting as it was misrepresented in The Observer, Sept. 28 issue, which had caused questions. The Town of Carlyle has periodic meetings with Sun Country in order to keep communications with Sun Country open. Shirley encouraged the others at the meeting to consider setting up their own.
A question was submitted by an individual concerning temporary housing in the area being annexed by the town. They would be modular homes on cribbing, but is very much a preliminary question. More information would be needed concerning the project before decisions can be made.
This question turned into a lead-in concerning zoning for areas within the annexation. It has been decided it is prudent to begin planning now. Also to be discussed are where roadways and accesses will be placed within the annexation.
The R.M. had to resubmit their resolution concerning the annexation as there was a small error on the first one. The Town of Carlyle hasn't heard anymore since this was resubmitted.
Highway 13 will be receiving turning lanes at the turn to go north on Highway 9. It is on schedule currently and should get underway shortly. This is considered a dangerous intersection and turning lanes should help with safety.
The Community Foundation received $60,000 from the estate of Donald McQueen. The Foundation was established for similar donations which will collect interest that people could apply for to assist with projects. They are currently holding off on setting the fund up so the new council will have signing authority.
The day care is still being planned, but they are thinking a strategic partnership will be needed in order to establish the building. A day care is something very much needed for the Town of Carlyle.
They are waiting on information concerning the Romaniuk Sewer Main currently.
Plans to paint the Medical Clinic were approved.
The expansion of the lagoon will soon be going up for bid. Fall releases will be done as late as possible to give extra capacity for the winter. The town had to do two emergency releases this year, so an expansion is necessary. It would hopefully be a parallel development to the lagoon currently in use. The expansion would change the volume able to be contained from 61,000 cubic metres to 205,000 cubic metres. Again the town referred to the population increase stating they have already met their 20 year estimation, which means the lagoon needs to be expanded in some way. A possible addition of another secondary cell might be the way to go, the town decided to inquire further though they will submit their current plan to get things moving as long as the plan is able to be amended or changed.
An issue concerning drainage had been submitted to the town. Following discussion it was decided drainage of one's yard is up to the homeowner. The storm drains and streets were specifically designed for drainage and the homeowner is to get their lot to drain into this infrastructure.
There is an upcoming Weyburn and District Hospital Foundation meeting, which one of the aldermen will be attending.
Moose Mountain Auto Glass inquired about connecting to the town's water and sewer connection. Permission will be granted, but Moose Mountain Auto Glass will need to pay for connections.
A question concerning the establishment of an electric town sign was submitted as the person was concerned the current town sign, which will be back soon, obstructs driver's views where it is situated. Upon discussion it was decided that an electric sign may be distracting to drivers. It was also brought up that they had considered an electric sign before, but the costs to the town would be high.
The obstruction of sight concerning the current town sign was pondered by the town. They decided that they would have a stop line painted so people know they are to pull out past the sign when stopping. The town sign, therefore, was decided to not be a hindrance to drivers.
The waterworks compliance report was received and filed.
Weekly water report from Sept. 22, 2012, was accepted as circulated. The Mayor stated our consumption looks high, but according to figures he looked at Carlyle is close to the provincial average.
The Rusty Relics Museum Board of Directors was submitted to council for insurance purposes. This was received and carried.
An individual inquired about being placed on the list of drivers for the transit van, this request was not for general pick up. They were approved.
A fire ban bylaw will be created for next meeting. Currently the Town of Carlyle is not on a fire ban, but the Fire Chief is able to enact one. He, however, is unable to enforce it and the town is therefore going to create a way to do so for next meeting.
The railway crossing on 4th Street needs to be repaired. The ballast put into the hole is being picked up by tires and flung across the road creating a mess. It needs to be fixed again and it was decided to contact the railroad concerning the issue.
Finally planters at the museum have not been cared for, so it was decided perennial plants, potentillas, would be planted in them to beautify the planters.
