Neepawa Council Debrief: Consequences Coming for Sewer Abusers

With the AMM Fall Convention wrapping up last week, Mayor Hedley reported back on some of his meetings, including the the one that suggested that the new vocational school might be back in the Provincial budget next year. The school was put on hold when the newly-elected NDP government decided to take a step away from the public-private partnerships that were to be the funding model for Neepawa’s and a handful of other schools.

Rrain Prior – Local Journalism Initiative

In other Council reports, we hear some updated statistics and programs from the Neepawa Public Library, and highlight the new Fill A Truck toy and food drive for the Neepawa Food Bank and Christmas hampers spearheaded by McLaughlin GM. Residents can find donation bins all over town, including at the library, the town office, and ArtsForward.

In additional food bank news, the town is matching a grant from the RHA’s Healthy Together Now program to fund a program where participants will take foods from the food bank and show how to spice up meals from those ingredients.

CAO Synchyshyn delivers the operations report at this meeting, which focuses on a few key items. Infrastructure near the new hospital - specifically the storm sewers - are making steady progress, and road design is being finalised for the west hill that connects to the current Broadway Street.

The big project this past week was two days of pipe cleaning by Uni-Jet Industrial Pipe Services, mostly to clear out grease buildup in the sewer system. According to Synchyshyn, it wasn’t enough just to flush the pipes out, but the grease had to be literally cut away. Residents are reminded that no amount of grease, which includes any fats and cooking oils, should be going down drains.

The town is making another land purchase, but this one much smaller than the last. A lot off of Highway 5 adjacent to the large parcel they purchased earlier this year has now also been purchased. The location of the lot would allow the town to use it to complement their development plans for that area, particularly in terms of the underlying infrastructure.

As well, because it is the end of the year, there are several contracts up for renewal including animal control and snow removal. Of particular interest is the waste disposal contract, as the Province has expressed an intent to take over recycling services. If and when this happens, the town will need to change the scope of work with the contractor.

Also covered were new 911 rates, the Huns Valley 140th anniversary event, the second and third reading of the development incentive program bylaw, and the regular financial report.