In response to numerous complaints about the company’s service, SaskTel president and CEO Ron Styles has offered to travel to Creighton to meet with the council and community leaders.
At its Wednesday, April 27 meeting, council reviewed an email from Darcee MacFarlane, vice president, Corporate and Government Relations at SaskTel requesting the visit.
MacFarlane said improvements to the area networks would be complete this fall, and also responded to a request from town administrator Paula Muench. Muench had asked whether SaskTel’s recent rate increase could be suspended for local residents until the upgrades to service had been completed.
“Price increases allow SaskTel to continue to invest in our network to provide faster Internet speeds, support network improvements, and expand our product offerings,” wrote MacFarlane.
“Although I can certainly understand your frustration with your current internet service, Creighton will not be exempt from the price increase.”
Muench said no arrangement had been made yet for the visit from Styles.
“It’s nice to see,” she said of the offer, noting that council members had been working hard for several years to advocate for better internet service for the area.
“They are paying a little bit of attention,” added Mayor Bruce Fidler. “But when they are done we’ll see what kind of improvements they really have made.”
Building upgrades
Council passed a motion to repair the roof of the centennial building, at a cost of $18,000. Council also agreed to fund interior repairs to the building, as requested by the members of the Creighton branch of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, whose office is in the building. While costs for interior repairs had not yet been established, Fidler estimated they would be under $10,000.
Gas tax projects
Creighton received approval from the Saskatchewan government to use federal Gas Tax Fund monies to replace water heaters at the town’s booster station, and to implement upgrades at the intake building and distribution building.
Community hall roof
Council postponed a decision on whether to approve repairs to the Creighton Community Centre roof.
Ald. Shirley Owen noted she had reviewed a $55,250 repair quote from Western Urethane.
After reviewing the quote, Owen requested that council take more time to consider the issue. She noted that the roof had been repaired within the last five years and leakage issues might be due to backup from eavestroughs rather than issues with the roof.
She also said that the contractor who had worked on the roof in the past had been contacted multiple times, but had not responded to requests for information.
While $60,000 has been allotted for roof repairs to the building in the 2016 budget, council members agreed to discuss the matter further before committing to the work.
Storm sewer repair
A report from the Transportation, Utility Services and Landfill Committee noted that removal and repair of the storm sewer at the four-way stop (at Creighton Avenue and Main Street) was scheduled for summer 2016, as the sewer continues to freeze and cause flooding.
Investment in Tourism staff
Council agreed to assign tourism and recreation duties to Michelle Hrywkiw, formerly a half-time staff member, who will continue as a full-time staff member for the tourism season, until the end of September.
