NIPAWIN — Nipawin town council once again met for their bi-monthly meeting with some interesting discussion points brought before the group.
Josh Martin from the Nipawin RCMP detachment brought his report before council on July 13.
With Saskatchewan reopening their public spaces, Martin said the workload at the detachment has increased compared to previous months.
“The bars have seemed to increase the workload for us, certain establishments in the area are having different concerns. We're working towards it with them and of course with public health as well.”
Non-compliance issues have added to the usual problems of intoxication and alcohol-related offences, Martin said.
What has been happening in the United States is coming back to Saskatchewan, he said, with “members taking it on the chin a little bit.”
“If anybody gets the urge to send a shout out to their local RCMP on social media, I know some of my members would really appreciate something like that,” Martin said.
Rennie Harper, Nipawin’s mayor, assured Martin that the town will look into that on their own social media.
Wind damage
Barry Elliott, Nipawin’s administrator, addressed council regarding the plow wind that blew through Nipawin on July 2. While there was some damage done around the community, one area of town did not receive the response it should have from town staff, Elliott said.
“I have since been meeting with the staff and there was discussion about how to address that so that in the future, a thorough town response happens right at the onset when it matters.”
Some good samaritans to step up in some of the areas that were lacking services, Elliott said and they have been contacted and thanked for their help. Elliott said they will be reviewing their procedures for future weather events.
Harper said she is happy that this is being addressed by the staff.
Four-way stop
The town has approved a temporary four-way stop at the corner of Centre Street and Second Avenue for a three month period. Town administration will present a follow-up report after two months. A recent traffic study identified the intersection as a priority item for improvement for both pedestrians and motorists. The public was very engaged in discussing the traffic study priorities, Harper said, so this is an intersection improvement that the public wants.
After three months, council will once again discuss the effectiveness of the four-way stop and any other changes that can be made to improve the intersection.
Fuel prices
Harper has once again released her most recent Council Corner. She has received much in the way of verbal and written response to her urgings for everyone to “think, shop, and buy locally,” she said.
“I had a number of people contact me either verbally or by email, to complain about the fact that the fuel prices in our community continue to be higher than our surrounding communities and why would that be? And I don't have a good answer for that.”
Given the number of people bringing this question to the mayor, Harper said she will be taking the discussion to a standing committee where they will be planning how to lobby for lower gas prices in Nipawin.
