A lengthy list of capital projects was whittled down to a few deemed to be major priorities for 2020.
Council, at its meeting on June 4, debated which of the 19 projects were urgent enough to warrant funding and what could be done if more money is found or simply deferred for future years.
The immediate priority determined by council was the need for roof work on the Happy Gang Centre, an issue that was discussed by council last year.
CAO Theresa Fuller explained that a recent rain storm exposed more leaking inside the historic building that houses the Bashaw Seniors Centre and the Bashaw Art Club.
“I was contacted by the Happy Gang Centre president and they have some big concerns. The main entrance had pieces of the ceiling falling,” Fuller said.
“They want a permanent fix and so do we, simply for the longevity of the building.”
Fuller explained that a couple of quotes on a surface treatment and full replacement were received last year, but administration didn’t bring them to council.
“We had applied for a grant and were denied. By the time we found that out, it was too late to get anything done,” she said.
It’s estimated replacing the roof would cost upwards of $40,000, while the surface treatment with a 25-year warranty would be around $30,000. However, Fuller stated the treatment would only be feasible if the roof isn’t too saturated already. She also confirmed to council that the seniors group would still be able to contribute $10,000 to the project.
Deputy Mayor Rosella Peterman, who chaired the meeting as Mayor Penny Shantz was absent, felt it was imperative the job be done given the recent damage.
Coun. Lynn Schultz agreed, stating, “It has got to be done, otherwise it is going to wreck the building.”
Coun. Darren Pearson added that the roof may need to be replaced anyway, so why not spend the extra $10,000 and forgo the testing to see if the treatment will work.
In the end, council approved using $34,000 from its restricted operating surplus and the Happy Gang money to move ahead with the roof replacement, pending administration determining what the length of the warranty would be.
Priority list
Aside from that, at the top of the priority list is the sewage lagoon upgrade, which is a shared project between all three levels of government.
The project, which has been on the list for the last five years, includes: draining the lagoon, removing all the sludge, rebuilding the berms and replacing all of the connections to the rest of the lagoons.
The town is responsible for 25 per cent — nearly $179,000. However, the project will not move forward until the federal and provincial grant money through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) has been approved.
Next on the list is a replacement sanding truck, as the current one has a portion of the frame that are nearly rusted through along with other significant damage. The cost is estimated at $60,000.
Other must have projects include: water leak detection equipment ($5,100), a sand screen ($15,900) and a pressure washer ($4,000).
This list is a starting point as the town will soon be required by the province to have a five-year capital plan in place.
Fuller felt the leak detection would help the town save money on lost water, with Peterman adding they would eventually save more than the purchase price given the issues Bashaw has faced the past two years with paying for water that could not bw accounted for.
As for the sand screen, public works foreman Murray Holroyd explained the town has used up its 5,000 yard supply of sand it got from its gravel pit 25 years ago and that they would need to either crush and screen more this year or purchase it.
Other business
As of June 15, the town office will be back to regular hours.
Fuller said services have been provided since March, with the phones being answered and payments being taken plus development permits being worked on. The drop box outside has also been well used as has been the online payments through the website.
“We have been supporting residents and not turning people away, it was just the door was locked,” she said.
“We just don’t want a collection of people inside the small space.”
On June 3, Bashaw opened up all its outdoor recreation spaces with signs posted about safety restrictions for residents to follow. Full details are available on the town’s Facebook page.
Residents can also resume recycling on July 6 as the contractor will return to collecting items at that time.