By Kevin Gilby
The regular meeting of David- son Town Council occurred April 22 at the Town chambers. There were two delegates. Elaine Ebenal, on behalf of the Davidson Housing Author- ity, was present to give a summary of the authority’s activities and current need of board members. Ebenal highlighted the need for housing for seniors and low-income individual/ families in communities and the strong desire to keep control of said housing local to Davidson and area. She indicated that the housing authority is in need of two additional members and has made similar presentations to the RMs of Arm River and Willner. Ebenal asked council to con- sider recommending member- ship to their social circles. She explained the commitment is essentially a one-hour long meeting every six to seven weeks. Ebenal is hoping anyone considering becoming a board member to help oversee vital housing in Davidson reach out to her.
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Davidson Volunteer Fire Department (DFD) Fire Chief Cory Dean also attended the meeting to express DVD’s desire to learn how to better utilize the town’s water distribution system in events of fires within town limits. Dean wants to work with public works employees to better understand what physical limits exist to distribute water in times of emergency and help plan co-ordination between the two groups to more efficiently combat fires and maintain adequate water pressure. Dean expressed how the fire department experienced a few unexpected problems during the recent fire in the north industrial area of Davidson. Council agreed that the DFD and Public Works department needs to share needs, capabilities, and procedures to fully utilize DFD’s fire handling capabilities and the town’s distribution capabilities. Council further said that water pressure concerns experienced during the event are being remedied and are intended to be fully resolved by end of May.
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Council approved a motion to proceed with contracting with MPE Engineering to provide engineering services for the Enterprise Lane Upgrade project. The work includes revising the drawings created in 2024, material selection, and up to awarding of contract. The current plan is to complete the upgrade in this calendar year.
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Council approved buying 45 folding tables to facilitate replacing the existing tables at the AGT Centre. The new tables may be used in the Town Hall and existing tables at the hall would replace the tables at the AGT Centre.
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Council received correspondence from the Ministry of Government Relations which announced the residential Education Property Tax Mill Rates for 2025 went down to 4.27 from 4.54 mills in 2024.
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Council approved donating a Family Season Swim Pass to support the Davidson Skatepark Committee’s Market in the Park fundraiser. Tickets are available at the annual fundraising event at Arnold Park in Davidson on May 10. The winning ticket will be selected June 21 during Davidson Days.
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Administration indicated that the town has hired an Operations Manager to oversee Public Works activities, contracting, and related functions. The manager will begin work May 12. Administration indicated that its still accepting applications for the Public Works Department foreman position until May 16. Administration further indicated that all summer seasonal staffing positions have been filled. The landfill operator position has also been filled and the landfill is now open for regular hours of operation.
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AGT rental rates for JAA and Cyclones are to increase by five per cent to cover increased operational costs. Similarly, local rental group fees are to increase from $130 to $140 per hour and out-of-town fees by eight per cent.
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The Sask Lotteries grant of $16,218 has been allotted to the local groups that applied for funding.
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The DFD asked the Fire Board for permission to begin fundraising for a new fire rescue truck and possible conversion of existing fire rescue truck to a wildland truck. The board approved the fundraiser, but suggested they collect letters of intent in lieu of cash in the event they do not proceed with the purchase.