Highway Repairs
Phil Doddridge, Quality Manager for the South Cariboo portion of Interior Roads, gave a presentation on winter highways to Council’s committee of the whole, and wound up spending most of his time talking about the recent repairs to the new paving on Hwy 97C.
Doddridge explained that the Ministry of Transportation still owns the highways, while Interior Roads is contracted to maintain them. The paving was a Ministry project, said Doddridge.
“What happened to the road?” asked Mayor Andy Anderson, referring to the repairs by upper Government St.
Doddridge said he didn’t know, but when his crews dug into the soil under the failed part of the highway, he was surprised to see that it was silty and saturated. He said that water may have collected from a recent storm and worked its way under the highway.
Anderson said they were concerned that it may have been caused by the Village’s waterline, but Dodderidge pointed out that the waterline was downhill from where the paving failed.
Doddridge said he didn’t think the failure had anything to do with the quality of the paving. “We deal with failures like that on a regular basis,” he said.
Anderson said he noticed another stretch along the same side of the highway, about 50 feet up the hill where the dirt had washed away below the curbing. Doddridge said he would take a look at it.
Interior Roads has also repaired parts of the newly paved Cornwall Rd. Doddridge said the curbs were built to the proper height, but a summer storm that dropped an unusually high volume of water on the area may have caused water to run over the curbs and eroded the soil.
Coun. Jackie Tegart also asked if the crews could make the road to the Cache Creek airport a priority for road clearing because BC Ambulance would be using it over the winter as a temporary helipad.
Doddridge said it was up to the Ministry to reclassify the road, but he would let the road crews know of its importance.
Tegart said the Council was trying to get helipad built at the hospital, but the airport was the alternative.
From the Ashcroft Council meeting on Oct. 22.
Roll Call: Mayor Andy Anderson and councillors Alice Durksen, Jerry Fiddick, Helen Kormendy and Jackie Tegart.
Wellness brand fundraiser
Coun. Tegart, Council’s liaison to the Brandimg Committee, requested free use of the Community Hall for two fundraisers on Nov. 29 and Feb. 14.
Tegart then left the Council chambers while Council discussed it. Council agreed to not only waive the rental fees but to cover the insurance as well.
Tegart said the group is planning a family spaghetti supper and auction for the evening of Nov. 29.
Maggie Mine
Council agreed to provide a letter of support for Hunter Dickinson’s intention to eventually open up the former Maggie Mine at 17 Mile, provided that it passes environmental assessment and that the Council is kept informed.
Company representatives met with Ashcroft Council on Sept. 5. As well, they have been in touch with Cache Creek’s Economic Development Committee and the Bonaparte Indian Band.
The company (HDI Constantia) has filed an application to explore the land and undertake drillig up to 200 holes. They hope to obtain their permit any time now.
Drilling will take place over three years.
Power outages
Coun. Helen Kormendy asked about the spate of recent power outages.
Administrator Michelle Allen said Ashcroft had four outages in eight days, affecting the downtown, the Mesa and the Water Treatment Plant.
The outages were caused by a bare wire, which caused a short every time the wind blew it in the right direction. It took the repair crews a while to find.
Cargo containers
Council adopted zoning amendment Bylaw 776 which provides a definition of a cargo container and specifies where they can be used and how they can be used.
Community Forum
Council will be hosting a CommunithyForum at the community hall on Nov. 8.
The public is invited to attend and join in discussions about Open Burning; Pesticide/Herbicide Use; Dog Park; Watering Guidelines; Whistle Cessagion for CN Trains; and Social Media.