RM OF COTE — A variety of items of concern to residents of the RM of Cote are being mailed to ratepayers along with their 2022 tax notices.
The tax notices along with the information release prepared by Sherry Guenther, the administrator, were mailed on July 8. It includes information on tenders awarded, controlled burns, refuse management and resiliency in agriculture.
The release says that the municipality’s population, as of the 2021 census, was 616, an increase from 548, which was the population at the 2016 census.
Policies approved
Council has approved the following policies to date in 2022: Outside Employee PPE Wear Policy, Road Allowance Policy, Cold Weather Policy, and a Towing Policy. Persons wishing to obtain a copy of one or more of the policies may contact the office. They are also to be posted on the RM’s website in the near future.
Wild boar
“If you see a wild boar, report it immediately to the local SCIC (Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation),” the release said. “Feral pigs can act as a carrier for livestock diseases such as African Swine Fever. It is important to keep human food waste inaccessible to feral pigs. Take steps to avoid attracting feral pigs to your premises by ensuring your barns, feed storage containers and waste bins are well secured. Call 1-888-935-0000 if you spot a wild boar.
Tenders awarded
Friesen Mowing has been contracted again for 2022 for ditch mowing in the municipality, gravel tenders for loading/hauling were placed on Sask Tenders for this year, and the loading and hauling tender was awarded to Kam-Crete Ltd. from Kamsack.
Those wishing information on the hay salvage and mowing program through the Government of Saskatchewan may contact the local district office in Yorkton at 306-786-1658.
Controlled burns
For controlled burns, residents are urged to call 1-866-404-4911 if they plan to burn in the RM. Persons calling must be prepared with fire guards in place. The number is answered 24-seven, 365 days. Be ready to answer the following questions: “What is your land location? What is your RM number? Who is the fire service provider? What are your location details? What are you burning? How long will you be burning?
“You will be asked your name and phone number and you will be asked to call back once the burn has been completed.”
Refuse management
Discussing the municipality’s Runnymede Transfer Station Site, the release said that it is open on the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. But, from the May long weekend to October long weekend, the site will be open the first and third Saturdays of each month. Located one mile north through Runnymede (PT SE 12-29-31 W1), the transfer station was inspected in October 2018 by the Ministry of Environment. No painted, treated or stained wood or shingles are to be left at the transfer station.
The Municipal Refuse Management Regulations states that no person shall dispose of: automobiles or other large metal objects; pesticides and other hazardous wastes, or any material or thing treated with any of those substances, including the receptacles containing them.
No grain bags and twine in the bins, the release states. The twine gets tangled in the compactor and loader. Contact Dallon Leger at 306-562-8112 for more information or check out Cleanfarms website.
For agriculture plastics such as pesticide containers and fertilizer bags, check out Cleanfarms website for more information and collection sites.
The City of Yorkton Landfill is accepting clean, rolled grain bags free of charge. Please contact them ahead of time for guidelines and hours. Silage bags are not accepted. Call 306-828-2470.
Conservation officers are empowered to investigate and lay charges for littering when appropriate. Environmental protection officers will also investigate illegal landfill dumping sites. The RM has recycle bins at the RM shop in Kamsack and two at Runnymede, it said. Please make sure all lids on all bins are closed.
The Green Centre is a family-owned recycle facility located at the front of the City of Yorkton landfill, it said. This facility offers a lower price rate for the dumping of used concrete, wood, asphalt and asphalt shingles into landfills. Contact their office at 306-620-8338 or grgreencenter@gmail.com for further information, rates and hours of operation.
The Parkland Regional Waste Management Authority Regional Landfill is located approximately 12 kilometres west of Preeceville. Contact the RM office for hours and further information.
The release encourages residents to report garbage bin abuse to the RM office. Failure to maintain these bin sites, will force the RM to seek alternative operation procedures for garbage collections. The bins are for household garbage only. When other items are thrown in, it fills up the bins and causes a mess before the truck comes back to the area to empty them.
There were issues this spring again with bins overflowing with garbage, it said. Remember that when spring road bans are on, the truck does not come to some divisions for pickup.
“If you find the bins full, please take the garbage home and bring it back once the bins have been emptied. The garbage bins are emptied every two weeks when roads bans are not in place. If you see someone who should not be dumping at the bins please contact your councillor or the office. Remember it is your tax dollars that pay for this essential service.”
Persons who suspect wildfires, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, are urged to call the TIPP number or submit a report online. Environmental violations include illegal dumping and burning of plastics, tires and other waste. All reports are investigated and calls are confidential. You may be eligible for a cash reward. Call: Saskatchewan.ca/tipp, 1-800-667-7561, SaskTel cell #5555
The R.M. has been in talks with the RCMP and they would like ratepayers to know that any thefts that may occur should be reported to the local RCMP detachment.
“You may feel it is a small issue or nothing will be done, but any contribution brought forward would greatly be appreciated to them,” it said. “If you see something or someone out of the ordinary in your area, please contact the detachment or the municipal office. Only you know your area and by working together we can make the RM of Cote a safe environment for all.”
The defacing and/or theft of traffic and road signs in the municipality is only costing the ratepayers and may cause harm or injury to the public, it said. Please report any signs down or missing to the office.
Resiliency in agriculture
Agriculture is rooted in strength and resiliency, the release said. Farming can be both a rewarding and incredibly demanding occupation. Saskatchewan producers and their families experience a number of unique factors that can impact their health and safety, as well as overall happiness.
Factors affecting stress on the farm include: weather and uncertain crop yields; financial stressors and large debt loads; long working hours and strenuous physical labour; machinery breakdowns and livestock well-being; isolation, and many others.
As a result, farmers and their families are susceptible to high levels of mental health concerns, including chronic stress, depression, anxiety and suicide.
“We treat farm equipment with care, doing regular maintenance and upkeep, but are we providing the same level of care and attention to our own bodies and minds?
“Resilience is the capacity to adapt and overcome difficult situations and cope in a healthy way. Being resilient doesn’t mean that a person will not face trauma, stressful situations and inevitable adversity, but rather empower you to grow and improve your life along the way.
“For people working in agriculture, resilience is a key requirement to thrive and be successful through challenging or uncertain times.
“Self-care is the foundation of a healthy life. We can’t be, feel, or do our best - and this includes work, relationships, health, happiness, everything - when we short-change or sacrifice our own health and well-being for prolonged periods.”
The Farm Stress Line is: 1-800-667-4442. It is confidential and there is no call display. The Saskatchewan Suicide Hotline is: 306-525-5333.
Regarding the installation of carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms, the release said that The Building Code Regulations require carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms (or combination carbon monoxide-smoke alarms) be installed in all residential buildings in Saskatchewan, regardless of the date the building was constructed. Enforcement will begin on July 1, 2022. Persons with questions or concerns may contact the Building and Technical Standards Branch inquiry at 306-787-4113 or e-mail at btstandards@gov.sk.ca.
Municipal election
Regarding the 2022 municipal election, the release said that the vote will be taken on November 9 for councillors for Div. 2, Div. 4 and Div. 6.
To vote, one must be at least 18 years of age on the day of the election; is not disqualified; is a Canadian citizen at the time their nomination paper is submitted; has resided in Saskatchewan for at least six consecutive months immediately preceding the date the nomination paper is submitted; and resides in Saskatchewan and is eligible to vote in the RM.
“One does not need to reside in the division you wish to put your name forward for nomination, however you need to be nominated by two people in that division,” the release said.
For further information on being an elected official please contact the municipal office.
Currently serving on council are: Kim Pennell (reeve) and councillors: Amanda Burback, Div. 1; Vern Bowes, Div. 2; Craig Salahub, Div. 3; Dale Schwartz, Div. 4; Glen Becenko, Div. 5, and Murray Horkoff, Div. 6.
RM staff includes: Sherry Guenther, administrator; Russell Rauckman, Daniel Maitland and Michael Baker, operators.
Council meets the second Wednesday of the month, unless otherwise changed at Council’s discretion, beginning at 9 a.m. Persons wishing to address council or attend a regular meeting, must submit a brief written letter outlining their concern(s) to the office the Friday before the meeting so that it can be placed on the agenda.
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The office is closed statutory holidays. The website is rmofcote271.com and the email is rm271@sasktel.net.
Open house
Thanking those who attended the open house that was held on March 30 to discuss the RM’s asset management plan that is being developed by Zacaruk Consulting, Guenther, in the release, said that the door prize winners that evening were: Doug Derwores, Carol Marriott, Carol Geerts and John Petyshyn of the R.M. of Preeceville.
