Bashaw town council turned down a local club’s request to repair their drainage which is apparently affecting their sidewalk. The club’s letter was discussed at the March 21 regular meeting of council.
Town Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller presented councillors with a letter from the Bashaw & District Thrift Society, signed by chair Margaret Baier and secretary/treasurer Jolene Wilkie, stating the organization has some drainage issues they felt the town should address.
“We would like to bring to your attention the deteriorating state of the brick sidewalks on both sides of Main Street,” stated the letter.
“There are several depressions that retain water which then freezes and creates a hazard. There is an especially large one in front of the thrift store which is opposite the water main.
“We contacted the town office and the town foreman responded promptly. His evaluation was that it was caused by runoff from Holt’s building.
“However, there are several smaller depressions up and down the sidewalk on both sides as well as significant depressions alongside several of the buildings lining Main Street. The cobblestones are lower than the curb and between that and the depressions, shovelling snow is hampered and difficult.
“We are sure you have many difficult and pressing issues to deal with but would like you to consider budgeting in the future for replacing these troublesome bricks with regular cement sidewalks,” added the letter.
Some photos of the issue were also included.
Contacted by the ECA Review March 22 Fuller stated that the town’s Public Works department did examine the issue in question and discovered the thrift store building has no eavestrough on the roof to channel runoff; rather than being channelled to the alley where it causes fewer problems, the runoff is instead ending up on the sidewalk.
Fuller stated the town can’t spend tax dollars to place eavestrough on a privately-owned building.
Councillors accepted the letter as information.
Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
