The Village of Morrin is having an underground issue with some of its vacant lots. Councillors discussed the issue of a regional water line sitting underneath some of the vacant municipal lots at their regular meeting Oct. 16.
Mayor Chris Hall began the discussion of the village’s new subdivision, vacant lots which the village has discussed at several past meetings and hopes to see developed in the future.
However, the mayor stated a problem has been found: Hall said at the meeting the regional water supply line runs under some of the vacant lots in the subdivision.
Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Annette Plachner stated she is going to call an engineer to see how much it would cost to move the line.
Plachner stated later during discussion the line isn’t sitting where it was supposed to be and added the contractor, instead of placing the line straight as intended, appears to have cut a corner.
During discussion councillors noted the regional water line was placed before the subdivision existed. Further discussion stated the line in question runs from the dump station and affects four of the 10 lots.
The item was tabled to a future meeting.
Tennis courts
The CAO stated she wanted to address complaints from the public about the former village tennis courts, now used as storage for the municipality’s equipment.
Plachner noted some time ago a member of the public approached the village with an idea to offer a dog obedience school on the tennis courts; however, after one and a half years passed there was no further contact from that person. The village instead decided to use the tennis courts as storage.
Plachner stated there was never a proposal to use the tennis courts as a dog park.
Heavy load
Councillors passed a resolution to send a letter to Starland County about that municipality’s weekly garbage pick-up; the village staff reported Starland has 15 to 20 bags of garbage per week and the village is struggling to haul it out.
The village’s letter will notify Starland the village will only pick up 15 bags of office garbage from Starland per week; anything over that must be paid for separately.
Mound of concern
Plachner gave councillors an update on a large mound of earth left over from construction of the new Morrin School. Councillors previously voiced concern about the mound’s purpose and unsightliness.
The CAO stated she contacted the school division directly about the mound, and it confirmed the mound isn’t needed for the school project any further. However, the school division offered the earth to the village if needed.
The CAO stated the village doesn’t need the earth and asked when the mound can be removed. Plachner added the school division hasn’t responded yet to that request.
Less than ideal
Councillors discussed the recent paving work completed in the Village of Morrin by Spectre Paving.
Coun. Lorraine MacArthur stated, “I’m not real happy with them.” MacArthur expanded by saying the work was expensive, performed late at night and some of the asphalt work looked like it was dumped on the ground and rolled over.
During discussion councillors noted Spectre did some extra work but also missed an important spot by the church. As well, during discussion it was stated some Morrin people were apparently not happy with the conduct of some of the contractor’s staff.
The CAO confirmed final cost of the paving was about $93,000, most of which Plachner stated will be covered by grant money.
Not for sale
Plachner reported a Morrin mobile home owner inquired about purchasing the property their residence sits on. However, Plachner stated it turns out that mobile home, along with one other, sits on public property that isn’t subdivided and isn’t for sale.
As well, Plachner pointed out the property in question has limited services. The CAO stated other mobile homes have sat in that location but the village hasn’t been allowing any new ones to enter after previous ones leave.
Councillors decided a letter should be sent to the mobile home owner explaining the property in question isn’t for sale.
Last legs?
The CAO reported the village pick-up truck is approaching the end of its life span.
Councillors agreed the village should begin looking around for a replacement.
Closed session
Councillors moved into closed session at the end of the meeting to discuss with Palliser Regional Planning Services the topic of “Blooming Prairie Storage.” It was also noted on the meeting agenda closed session was to include a discussion of “council concerns.”
Organizational meeting
Councillors held their annual organizational meeting Oct. 16. Among other items at the meeting councillors approved a resolution to boost their own per meeting payment to $75.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review