By Joel van der Veen
ELBOW — Three contenders were neck-and-neck for the title of Elbow’s Citizen of the Year, divided by a spread of just eight votes.
In the end, Joe Parent was the winner of this year’s title, presented during the village’s ratepayers meeting on Wednesday.
Parent was nominated in recognition of his efforts to beautify the town, and in particular his work on the Urban Orchard at the centre of Elbow.
Mayor Rob Hundeby, who presented the award, thanked Parent personally for his work in leading the crew of volunteers that tends and maintains the orchard.
“It’s just awesome to see that flourish,” said the mayor.
A report by the Friends of the Orchard indicated a successful year with a bountiful harvest that included apples, saskatoon berries and multiple varieties of cherries.
Parent in turn thanked those who nominated and voted for him, saying he was proud of the orchard — calling it a “unique” place in Elbow — and grateful for the support of the village and volunteers.
He has also worked on the village park and the entrance garden at the Elbow cemetery.
Also nominated this year were Evelyn Bramble and Grace McTavish. Residents and ratepayers were eligible to vote for their nominee of choice.
Water upgrade a hot topic
Around 50 people attended the ratepayers’ meeting on Wednesday in the basement of the Elbow Civic Centre.
Hundeby chaired the meeting, accompanied by his fellow councillors and administrator Yvonne Jess.
While the meeting was a cordial affair, Hundeby faced multiple questions from the floor about an upgrade to Elbow’s water infrastructure, currently under construction.
SaskWater is building a new twinned supply line to Lake Diefenbaker, as well as a new intake to draw water from a deeper point in the lake.
The Crown corporation has operated Elbow’s water infrastructure since 2005, when it was purchased from the village. The Line 19 Water Pipeline Utility also serves customers in Loreburn and Strongfield, nearby rural areas and recreational facilities.
The upgrade is expected to cost between $2.2 and $2.4 million and work is expected to wrap up by year’s end.
A federal-provincial grant of $1.46 million will cover more than half of that cost, but SaskWater will be raising fees to local users to recoup its investment costs.
Hundeby said a new cost structure will take effect next spring, with exact details yet to be determined.
Water rates will increase 23 per cent each year over the next five years, followed by a two-year period where rates will stay the same.
Customers will be charged a fixed monthly fee, whether they live in Elbow year-round or on a short-term basis, that will make up roughly 70 per cent of the bill. There will also be a fluctuating charge based on actual water usage.
Hundeby said other jurisdictions have imposed similar charges on users as they struggle to cope with the rising costs of maintaining infrastructure.
“People in Elbow have become accustomed to cheap water,” he said.
Full agenda at meeting
The meeting opened with a five-minute video of Elbow’s Canada 150 celebrations, produced by EpicJib Aerial Media and featuring drone footage. Jess read the minutes from the Apr. 12 ratepayers meeting.
Hundeby gave a brief address with five highlights from the past few months, including the Canada Day weekend events that attracted as many as 3,500 people.
“I think we were bulging at the seams a little bit,” said the mayor.
He also discussed the work of the vision committee, looking at goals for the village in the next five to 10 years, and the water upgrade.
Hundeby briefly noted his involvement in the Wicihitowin Aboriginal Engagement Conference in Saskatoon. On Oct. 12, he took part in a mayors’ panel that also included Regina’s Michael Fougere, Saskatoon’s Charlie Clark and Warman’s Sheryl Spence.
Hundeby also gave an update on road construction, focusing on Putters Lane, where workers have raised the surface of the road by several inches and also widened it by three inches on either side.
The work only cost $13,000 in total, far lower than initially quoted. Further improvements are planned for next year and the total cost is estimated at around $45,000.
Full blacktop and sidewalks are planned for the centre block of Saskatchewan Street in 2018.
This past year, council invested in some new touches on the main street, including eight flagpoles and 10 trash cans. Sponsors also purchased 10 benches. Both projects met with a positive response.
Other topics of discussion included the docks at Tuft’s Bay and a proposal for replacing the siding on the village’s elevator.
Carol Patterson reported on behalf of the Elbow Service Club and recreation board, followed by Norma Johnson’s report for the library board.
Brian Cowan spoke for the Elbow and District Wildlife Federation, while Joanne Brochu provided a report from the Lakeshore Stampede committee.
Finally, Anne Wilson reported on behalf of the Elbow and District Museum and Historical Society, focusing on the successful Culture Days events held at the end of September.