KAMSACK — A couple tax concessions, equipment for the fire department, a broken sewer line and unruly pets were among items to concern Kamsack town council at its regular meeting of June 23.
After the parish of St. Josaphat and the Kamsack Harmony Senior Citizens centre requested council consider a tax concession for each building, council agreed to continue with its policy of concessions, which stipulates that after the taxes are paid, council may rebate 50 per cent of the municipal portion of the tax bill to the organization.
Because the fire department’s side-by-side quad broke while at a fire this spring, two members of the brigade attended the meeting to tell council that the department has selected five options for a replacement vehicle. The matter is still under review, but it is expected the replacement vehicle will cost between $25,000 and $30,000.
Recent firefighting training sessions involved possible emergencies involving loads of grain and SaskEnergy, said Barry Hvidston, administrator. Council was told that the brigade would be using the empty Crowstand Centre building for “mayday exercises,” which involve the use of smoke bombs, giving firefighters experience working in a smoke-filled environment.
A major sewer line along Nykolaishen Drive near the urban orchard, which recently required repair, was plugged in another location and it is estimated that between $15,000 and $20,000 will be needed for repair.
This indicates there is a problem in the area with persons using the sewer to dispose of items that should not be disposed of in such a manner, Hvidston said. The only items that should be placed down a sewer line are the three "p's." That being pee, poop and toilet paper. Any other items can clog the sewer lines and pumps. This includes grease, tampons, wipes (both biodegradable and baby), and any other material that is not toilet paper.
Many of the town’s sewer lines are aging and may soon require upgrading, he said.
Hvidston told council there were three “really good speakers” at the Urban Municipal Administrators Association of Saskatchewan (UMAAS) in Saskatoon, June 3 to 6 and he was also able to attend some of the workshops.
Responding to queries regarding the hours the Kamsack Swimming Pool is open for public swimming, Hvidston explained that the mornings are usually reserved for staff training and swimming lessons, so a one-hour break is needed in the afternoon to allow the water to be disinfected, to give staff time out of the sun and have lunch, to test the water and to allow staff to check and clean washrooms.
The pool is offering free swimming on Canada Day from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Regular weekend hours are: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Discussing the Spring into Summer fair at Kamsack June 20, 21 and 22, council was told that Canuck Amusements was happy with the facilities and personnel they dealt with but the weather resulted in a lower attendance than was hoped.
They said they had about 25 per cent fewer people attending this year than they had last year, Hvidston said.
Council agreed to spend $5,000 that had been budgeted for Eaglestone Lodge for a new vital monitoring system to replace the system in the Lodge that was broken.
It was agreed to sell two of the town’s tractors and purchase a different one that will better fit the town’s needs, he said. Tractors are needed to tow a large grass mower, to drag a box grader, for a snow blower and a few other uses.
Bruce David and Larry Larson were authorized to consolidate lots adjacent to their properties.
Permission was granted for the sale of about 10 doors from Crowstand Centre and council is looking at selling what can be used from the empty building.
Council’s traffic bylaw received its first reading and the administration was requested to divide a proposed golf cart bylaw into three bylaws: one for golf carts, one for ATVs, and one for snowmobiles. Basically, the bylaws will allow for the operation of the vehicles from one’s residence or place of business to the most direct route out of town, and in the case of golf carts, to and from the golf course.
Council does not want these vehicles operated all over town, just on direct routes out of town or to the golf course, and back. Hvidston said.
Council accepted the resignation of Greg Podovinnikoff as recreation manager and has begun the process of hiring another person for the job. Podovinnikoff has had that job for 15 months.
After discovering hives of bees being tended by residents in the community, council decided to adjust its animal control bylaw, which had prohibited bees in the town, to allow bees, but it is expected they would be limited to one hive of six supers for each lot.
Included in the water bills that were mailed on June 20 was a two-page news release regarding cats and dogs.
“Since COVID, the number of dogs and cats in the Town of Kamsack has increased significantly,” the letter states. “As such, noise and animals running at large have become significantly more prevalent. Be a responsible animal owner.”
As previously discussed in this newspaper, residents of one area of the community have been complaining of dogs threatening people and cats urinating on neighbours’ property.
That situation is continuing, Hvidston said.
The news release outlines the animal control bylaw and things residents may do to assist the bylaw control officer.
“In order for the town to take action against any animal, we must have an ironclad case to have the animal removed from Town,” the release states. “In other words, we must be able to present the case to a judge in court and win. Therefore, we require assistance from the residents if they wish the town to act.”
The town cannot take direction from Facebook or other social media platforms, it says. “We require people to make complaints directly to the office and not to a councillor. When making a complaint, we require times, dates, pictures with timestamps and locations. If there is a complaint from a specific area, we will send the bylaw enforcement officer to that area, but without actual proof, it is very limited what the town can do. If the pictures are used, it may be necessary to make an affidavit or appear in court.”
“We cannot deem a dog dangerous. Only a judge can do that. The Town cannot take an animal from the home or property of that animal. If the animal is at large, the Town can capture and take it to the pound, which in our case would be to Yorkton.”
The release says that fines may be issued and they escalate with those who refuse to work with the officer or for animals that are repeat offenders.
A lifetime license costs $25. The fine for an unlicensed animal is $150, as is the fine for an animal running at large, for excessive barking or meowing or for defecation on town or other people’s properties. Refusing to remove an animal after an order was given can result in a fine of $500 per day the animal stays in Town. The fine for interference with enforcement or for false information is $250. If the matter goes to court and upon summary conviction, the fine can be up to $2,000 or $5,000 for a corporation.
“If your animal is barking or meowing excessively, there are ways to mitigate the issues, especially during the quiet times,” the letter states. Such methods include electronic collars, keeping the animal indoors and better training.
