Bashaw town council approved an important sewer system replacement priced at $27,000 after hearing a detailed report at the Sept. 4 regular meeting of council.
Councillors pondered reports from both Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller and Public Works Foreman Patrick Taylor regarding serious issues with an important part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure.
“Lift station one located near the pickle ball courts requires repair,” noted the CAO’s memo to council. “There are significant signs of pitting on the housing due to rocks getting into the station.
“Lift station one plays a critical role in the wastewater management system by lifting sewage from lower elevation areas to higher elevation areas where it can be transported to the lagoon.”
Fuller noted there were essentially two options open to council: repair the existing pump or replace it with a new one.
The CAO stated rebuilding the pump would cost taxpayers about $14,500 but noted it’s been rebuilt before, is outdated and not particularly powerful, describing its power level at only seven horsepower.
Option two was to buy a new pump. Fuller’s report stated a new pump of 11 hp was available for $27,000 and “…with regular maintenance it should last five to 10 years or longer.”
Regardless of their decision councillors heard repairs include a flush valve to clear out rocks and other debris. It was also noted Public Works is switching to a different street sand that eliminates small rocks, will engage in street sweeping more often and flush out the system more often.
During discussion Taylor confirmed rocks seem to be getting into the system while the system lacks an “auto-flush” feature.
Mayor Rob McDonald noted replacement seemed to be the best bang for the buck. “If you’re going to fix something, fix it right,” said the mayor.
Councillors unanimously approved $27,000 to replace a pump for lift station one. It was noted cash reserves will be used but that provincial government grant money may also be available.
Non-local users
Councillors approved ice rental rates at the Bashaw Arena for non-local users.
Coun. Kyle McIntosh asked staff to define what a “non-local user” is and during discussion it seemed the definition was a rink user from outside the Bashaw community that may not regularly rent Bashaw ice. It was noted, for example, Camrose County residents would be considered “local.”
The CAO noted non-local ice rental rates have remained unchanged since 2019 and suggested increasing them would help address rising costs to operate the Bashaw Arena.
Staff investigated a number of nearby communities’ non-local ice rental rates, with Bashaw and Alix having the lowest adult non-local rates at $120 per hour with Ponoka having the lowest non-local youth rate at $99.75 per hour.
Fuller suggested hiking the non-local rates to $140 per hour for adult and $120 per hour for youth. Councillors unanimously passed all readings of the revised masters rates bylaw to include recommended new non-local Bashaw Arena ice rental rates.
Police report
Councillors read the regular report of Bashaw RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Trent Cleveland, who included in this report a review of priorities the community provided to police.
Under the priority “property crime – theft,” Cleveland wrote, “First quarter for Bashaw involving all types of property theft files is 26 occurrences.
This is slightly above average for the quarter.”
Under the priority “Police/community relation – crime prevention” Cleveland wrote, “For the fiscal year the Bashaw RCMP detachment is setting up four large events/initiatives that will take place throughout the year. This quarter did not include any large community events/initiatives.
“In Aug., during Bashaw Home Town Days the detachment is participating in the parade and the Main Street events, organizing a ‘stuff the cruiser, ambulance and fire truck with school supplies, food bank items and Silent Santa.’
“In Oct. the detachment is hosting its 2nd Annual Christmas Card contest. In Nov. and Dec. the detachment is hosting a charity hockey game featuring police vs. fire dept./farmers.
“Members were still involved in their assigned communities attending events and parades and members were still attending their assigned schools,” added Sgt. Cleveland.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
