Oxbow Town Council met August 16 for the first time in the new office on Main St. The meeting room was bright, clean and bare following an August 5th move with, as yet, no clock or maps on the walls. Council agreed to tax abatement on the old office to the end of the year because the new owner was unable to move in August 1 as planned. Final construction costs on the Main St. building will be available soon.
Town foreman Dave Carson reviewed the last month’s activities by town crew. A waterline break was repaired. Sewer line tie-ins were completed to two buildings along the Coldridge Rd and at the new school. The sweeper and sprayer both broke down and were repaired. Turbidimetres arrived at the water plant, but have yet to be installed and the chemical exhaust fan orders are in the works. Staff also installed signs, school murals and did grading and dust control.
“We’re run off our feet,” Carson concluded. Things should ease up a little with the arrival of a new town worker, Michael Bowers from Orangeville, ON. As of the Council meeting however, there was no place for the new worker to live. Councillors variously noted that people are living in a former café, in campers and in trucks; nor are there rental accommodations available in surrounding towns. A construction company has shown interest in building a hotel, but has not found suitable land.
Councillor Judy Swanson advised that scentless chamomile has cropped up near the intersection of Ewen St. and Prospect Ave. Mayor Doug Pierce suggested the crew deal with trees and bushes in need of trimming at blind corners. Councillor Bob Goodward asked that garbage left by the railway crew be hauled to the nuisance ground. Councillor Cam Rutledge noted that more rock is needed to contain a washout near the river adjacent to the park.
Preparation of new lots in the northeast industrial area is to begin September 1. Investigation by the Community Director of the off-shore construction company interested in multiple lots in the north west housing development indicated that claims to be working with other local towns were untrue, there is no registration with the Better Business Bureau Building and Consumer Protection Branch couldn’t trace the company. Aspects of the building plan, such as cutting cost by bringing in cheap foreign labour, are not permitted under Canadian law. Consideration of that proposal wasshelved.
Building permits were approved for a sun porch on Marion St, work on a residential lot on Beryl Ave and a new building for Shekinah. Reviewing a letter of complaint, conditions were reported improved at Bow Valley Park. A complaint about cutting or trimming trees between neighbours will receive a reply advising that property line pins be located.
The chimney on the Bank Block is being repaired and the bricklayer will be asked to check for loose bricks along the roof edge. A 2007 engineer’s inspection report was consulted and the structure was judged generally sound, although recommended new interior stairs to the basement and repairs to interior basement walls have not been done. Councillor Corey Mercer suggested that a grant could likely be obtained to upgrade the old boiler in the building, eliminating the need for the brick chimney.
Councillor Eldon Thompson noted the new Imperial Esso fence at Main St. and the highway. He wanted to know if the results of the environmental study done on the area could be obtained. The Administrator was directed to ask for it. “If they won’t show it, said Mayor Pierce, “then we can ask the Ministry of Environment to check out the possibility of contaminants in our town.”
Mayor Pierce also asked that staff operating town equipment be advised that people are always watching and staff should be model drivers. “Wear your vests. Take your time. Do the job safely,” was his message. Policing was discussed in preparation for attendance from RCMP representatives from the Carnduff detachment. There is concern about perceived lack of response to calls from town residents, and lack of police presence at events like the Jamboree, Battle of the Bands and Grad.
Councillor Swanson said there was originally a contract she remembered as calling for an officer putting in 40 hours per week in Oxbow and the RM, but time was reduced when the detachment was operating at less than full strength, which she believes is no longer the case.
“I’ve asked six times about programs in the schools,” she said. “They say it’s a good idea, but is it happening?” With regard to by-law enforcement, she said “We shouldn’t have to keep asking.” Council was hoping for discussion of accountability procedures: how much time is spent in town by RCMP officers. What happens for follow up when people call in with a problem. Sergeant Boardman stopped briefly to say they’d been called out and hoped to get back to the meeting later, but didn’t make it.
The next council meeting will be Sept. 13.
