The process for the regional water project continues to flow forward.
During the Sept. 3 Stonewall council meeting, council gave second and third readings to a bylaw that would allow for the borrowing and spending of funds to build a new reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment plant, as well as a water reservoir expansion and new water supply wells in Stonewall.
Coun. Walter Badger said that he considers this project to be a wise investment. He also noted that adding salt to water can be detrimental to the environment.
“Looking at this treatment, it’s the best thing for our future and our safety of the town,” he said. “That’s the way I feel about this.”
Coun. Ron Maryniuk opposed the resolution, and he shared with the Tribune some of the reasons behind his decision.
“We need a reliable water supply. I believe that we need a larger water reservoir and we need to update the water treatment plant, but not at the expense of an RO system,” he said.
“It’s like buying a car — a Chevy and a Cadillac both do the same thing, but one has got all the bells and whistles and you’re going to be paying a lot more for it.”
Maryniuk expressed concern about the cost of building and maintaining a reverse osmosis water treatment plant.
“No one really knows how much this plant is going to cost to operate. You’re going to need people with special training to run this. These plants are hydro hungry and they waste a lot of water. Alternate systems have not really been explored,” he said.
“If it is ratified, we’re stuck with it. I don’t believe we should be in the water business. If you want RO for your home, it shouldn’t be at the expense of every taxpayer. I’m not against a new reservoir and updating the water treatment plant. I am strictly against the RO system.”
Mayor Sandra Smith explained that the vote at the Sept. 3 was not in favour or in opposition to the reverse osmosis project. Instead, it was a vote to allow for the borrowing of money.
“This allows us to go to tender with the RM of Woodlands. And when we get the tenders back, that will be our decision-making process. We’re following the steps that we laid out in our public meeting in March. These are the steps that we need to take to get to a place where we can make a proper and final decision,” she said.
“We are aware that this project is opposed by some, but we also know that it is a project that a lot of people are in favour of. So, as a council, we need to be mindful and take all of that information in when making our decision.”
In other council news:
• Council gave first reading to a bylaw to provide for the assessment and collection of fees and charges to provide fire emergency services. The bylaw has been put in place to allow the town to potentially collect on certain fire calls. The call would need to meet specific criteria, and the charge would be against the insurance coverage of the property owner rather than the property owner.
• The Save the Kilns initiative continues to have council’s support to enhance the historic kilns and surrounding park space in Quarry Park. The Save the Kilns committee has recommended a change in scope to the original kiln restoration project and gathered public feedback at an open house about the revised vision, which council accepted. Based on the community feedback and available funds, Scatliff + Miller + Murray prepared a proposal to revise the second phase of the project. Council approved Stage 1 of the revised Phase 2 proposal by Scatliff + Miller + Murray to create a Stonewall Kilns and Amphitheatre Commemorative Space. Council will work with Scatliff + Miller + Murray on the design and specifications for Stage 1 of the project. In addition, council approved the tendering and demolition work to proceed for the unrestored kilns.
• Plans are in the works for the newly formed Stonewall Community Garden Inc. to take over the operation of community garden plots on town-owned land on the northern portion of the cemetery. Stonewall Community Garden Inc. plans to buy a tractor to maintain the current garden plots and to create future garden plots. The Town of Stonewall will provide $5,000 towards the tractor purchase.
• In other gardening news, plans are moving forward for the future expansion and development of the community memory garden and healing garden site. Council accepted a master plan prepared by Scatliff + Miller + Murray, which will act as a starting point for the project.
“It looks fantastic,” said Deputy Mayor Peter Bullivant. “I think it’s going to be very pretty and very peaceful for people to go and spend some time.”
• The Town of Stonewall will buy a $500 sponsorship for the first-ever Stonewall and District Chamber of Commerce business awards banquet, which will take place on Oct. 25 at the Heritage Arts Centre. Stonewall’s mayor, council, CAO and other designates are authorized to attend the event, and expenses will be paid.
“This will be the first banquet and I think it’s fantastic that they were actually able to get quite a few nominations, not only from Stonewall but from surrounding communities,” Smith said. “It’s something to really look forward to.”
• The Town of Stonewall will proceed with buying the property at 513 4th St. East for $727,820 plus fees. This vacant piece is being considered for purchase as a future location of the Town of Stonewall Fire Hall. As part of the town’s 10-year plan, they’ve been looking at the future viability of the current fire hall location and structure, and 513 4th Street East was identified by the local fire department as a top priority site should the firehall be relocated.
• The Town of Stonewall’s 2024 audited financial statements are available for viewing on the town’s website at stonewall.ca.
