PREECEVILLE - It took two votes, but Preeceville council made the decision to call for the termination of its town foreman, who was in that position for more than 12 years, at its January meeting on Jan. 17 and 18.
The first vote had Mayor Ralph Ager, and Councillors Florian Balawyder and Sheldon Luciw recording a vote for the termination, Councillor Kenton Hull abstaining from voting and Councillors Taylor Sliva and Meaghan Nelson voting against the decision.
A call for reconsideration was issued and the second vote had all councillors except Councillor Taylor Sliva for the decision. During this vote Ager vacated his seat as mayor, which allowed him to make the motion as Deputy Mayor Kenton Hull was chairing that portion of the meeting. The chief administrator was requested to leave the meeting prior to the vote.
The town council made it official that the town foreman be terminated as of Jan. 18. Mayor Ralph Ager resumed chairing the meeting after Councillor Kenton Hull vacated the position.
Prior to the meeting council held two special meetings discussing the topic of termination.
On Jan. 23, council held another special meeting that focused on the acting town foreman position, hiring a seasonal shop labourer and the water line break at 527 Highway Avenue E. Council decided to hire Justen Strand as temporary call-in-labour. The town foreman position was to be advertised as soon as possible.
Other business
At the first part of the council meeting on Jan. 17, council accepted the resignation of Councillor Jesse Nelson effective Jan. 2. His vacancy will be filled at the 2024 general municipal election to be held on Nov. 13.
Mayor Ager as well as Councillors Balawyder and Sliva attended the SUMA Sector Virtual meeting held on Jan. 16.
Reports were given by the mayor, the bylaw officer, the community development and recreation co-ordinator, and the administrator.
Council accepted the quote from Sky High Services, owned by Kenton Hull, in the amount of $1,200 for tree removal located at 527 Highway Avenue E., to allow access for the town labourers to repair the water line break.
The second part of the meeting was held Jan. 18. Council approve Shop Labourer Ron Boyle having his fireman boiler operator licence renewed.
The law office of Shawn Patenaude Legal Prof. Corp of Preeceville was appointed as the Town of Preeceville solicitor for 2024.
Council renewed and approved the Volunteer Firefighters Insurance and Employee Family Program coverage through the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association.
The lease agreement between the Town and Preeceville Nursery School for the east half of the main level area and adjacent washroom facilities of the Preeceville Recreation Centre was approved.
Councillor Sliva was appointed to be the Town of Preeceville’s Predator/Nuisance Animal Control Officer for 2024.
