Peace River Town Council has been forced to make room in the budget for some major repairs and upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Issues with the Secondary Clarifier has the council scrambling to cover these unplanned costs.
Council gave the go ahead to begin the project of installing the upgrade in the next couple of weeks. They earmarked $1.81 million to cover the first step of work needed.
The installation is needed to ensure that the plant doesn’t encounter an issue that could release non-treated sewer back into the water.
It was reported to council that the entire Treatment Plant is 23 years old, and that systems like this usually last 25-to-30 years before they start to require major repairs.
A new plant is worth about 28-to-35 million.
Council discussed that if the repairs don’t go as planned, the entire fix could cost somewhere in the 5 million dollar range.
The worry for council is that an expense this large could have an effect on other projects heading into next year.
It could put major plans like a playground, neighbourhood renewal, new trail systems, all at risk.
Other Highlights from the council meeting included a presentation from Westlock-Peace River MP Arnold Viersen.
He asked for council’s support for three Bills in government.
-C263, to amend the Fiscal Arrangements Act (equalization payments)
-S216, Recognizing the evils of modern day slavery and the fact that 40 million people still live as slaves
-C229, A resolution to help end the shipping ban off the west coast (Bill C48)
Council also spoke to Viersen about the lack of infrastructure budget money being given to Northern Alberta communities right now, and requested grant help to cover the cost of the Wastewater Treatment Plant repairs.
The topic of a proposed Provincial Police Force came up in discussion. In a previous council meeting, the RCMP Union presented their concerns against the idea.
Council discussed sending a letter to the government revealing their stance on the issue, but elected to wait for more information on the pros and cons of such a change.
In the reports, the Peace Regional Healthcare Attraction and Retention Committee stated that COVID-19 has effected some award presentations that were planned.
They are looking into launching an annual thank you to physicians and other health care workers.
The hope is to have this in place by the end of May or into June.
Communications Coordinator Autumn Hulme reported on some of the town initiatives taking place, including Walk to Win. Hulme revealed that in the first week, people reported 2200 km traveled- the same distance between Peace River and Salt Lake City.
The next Regular Meeting of the Peace River Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, May 25th.
-Damien Gnass, Trending 55
