James Marshall Trucking Ltd. was awarded a five-year gravel contract at the last county meeting, to the tune of $4,162,500.
The tender, which called for a company to handle the supply and maintenance of gravel for the county’s roads, saw a lot of interest, according to Niki Thorsteinsson, the county’s spokesperson. There were several calls for information, she said, and several applications to choose from.
The county’s staff recommended James Marshall Trucking Ltd., who came in on budget with the $4-million bid, and county councillors agreed, voting to support the motion.
Nixon stays on as Reeve
The county held its organizational meeting directly before council, where it was decided that Wayne Nixon, who has acted as Reeve for the past year, will continue in the role.
Trash woes
Representatives from the Village of Big Valley council came to the county meeting to ask the county to help clean up and repair the village’s transfer site.
The county advised Big Valley that as a partner in the transfer site, all the village has to do is contact the county for assistance.
However, since the village has not had a representative on the Waste Management Committee in several years, it would explain why they were not aware of the ease to request assistance. It was recommended that the village appoint someone to the board, and in the meantime, the county would come and help repair and clean up the transfer site.
Internet request
CCI Wireless made a presentation to council, asking for council’s support in seeking funding from the government so it could build towers in the area to help shore up the Stettler area’s weak Internet access.
Since the area has been recognized as a low-level of Internet service, county councillors heard, it’s possible for CCI Wireless to apply for government grants to help cover the cost of increasing its presence in the area.
While councillors were in favour of CCI Wireless expanding into Stettler county and providing more Internet accessibility to its constituents, it could not support the request.
If the county supported CCI Wireless, the delegation was told, it would be required for it to support all other Internet companies like Shaw and Telus.
It could not show favour to one over the other.
Tower Road speed limit changes
Council voted to lower the speed limit on part of Tower Road, citing new development in the area. Currently, as Tower Road exits the Town of Stettler and travels into Stettler County, the speed limit is 60 km/h, before increasing to 80 km/h. The 80 km/h section will have its limit lowered to 60 km/h to match the rest of the road, as well as increase safety for the residents of the new development.
Some residents along Tower Road wrote to the county to complain about increased traffic along the route. Tower Road is an alternate trucking route, but with additional construction happening on the main route, traffic has increased, it was noted.
This is expected to die down once construction is complete.