The Town of Bashaw council approved funds to repair a busy septic station. The resolution was passed at the Nov. 7 regular meeting of council.

Town Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller presented to councillors a request for funds to repair the septic receiving station, a busy station that generates funds for the town every year. “The septic receiving station has an electronic meter that counts the cubic meters of septage that is being delivered to the station,” stated the CAO’s memo to council. “That is how we bill the customers/haulers that use the service.

“The town earns about $12,000 in revenue for this service. The electronic meter no longer works; it has been functioning for around 15 years. The cost to replace the unit has been quoted at $12,100.”

The CAO noted certain users in the community were concerned the station was not available. “There are four haulers/customers that access the service, due to the proximity to their customer sites,” noted the report. “They have stopped by the office and are genuinely concerned that the unit is out of service.”

Fuller noted the town benefits from the station’s revenue, and if councillors approved repair funds then the future cost could be included in subsequent budgets.

“Currently council needs to decide if we are purchasing a replacement meter,” sated Fuller’s report.

She noted that if councillors approved the repair, the funds would come from the unrestricted cash surplus.

During discussion Mayor Cindy Orom asked what the time frame for repairs would be, with Fuller responding it could be six to eight weeks as the parts need to be ordered and shipped.

Coun. Kyle McIntosh asked if the parts would come from the United States and if so, would they have tariffs added to them? Fuller answered that after speaking to the parts supplier, who is Canadian but suggested the actual parts themselves would come from the United States, it seems the parts in question wouldn’t have U.S. tariffs added on top of the cost. However, it was noted the parts are priced in U.S. dollars.

As councillors discussed the issue the CAO stated once the parts arrive the actual replacement isn’t expected to be too complicated as it’s assumed the old meter can be switched out for the new one.

Councillors also discussed whether a 15 year lifespan for the meter was acceptable; Fuller stated she believes it was acceptable.

Councillors unanimously approved unrestricted cash surplus funds to cover the septic receiving station meter replacement.