Calls for service to the Mountain View County operational services department were down markedly in 2015 compared with 2014, the policies and priorities committee heard during its recent regularly scheduled meeting.
A total of 335 calls requesting service were received last year, compared with 484 calls in 2014 and 462 calls in 2013, director of operational services Ron Baker said in his yearly report.
There were 22 calls requesting minor bridge repairs, 18 calls for culvert cleaning and maintenance, 10 calls for culvert steaming, 13 calls for flood maintenance, 29 calls for litter control, 28 calls for minor road repairs, 18 calls for sign installation or repair, 41 calls for snowplowing and sanding, 10 calls for spot patching-chipseal, and 97 calls for surface grading and maintenance.
Baker also reported on infrastructure maintenance projects.
“The heavy shop is currently working on snowplow repairs as they occur,” he said. “In the new year, they will be commencing a transmission replacement on the highway tractor that pulls the oil distributor for the chipping crew. They will also be commencing other major repairs to equipment that is utilized in the summer programs.”
The re-gravelling, re-chipping and patching programs for 2015 were completed, he said.
Baker reported on a number of facility projects that have recently been completed:
• The removal of the former county shop in Sundre was completed at a cost of $38,004. The budget for the project was originally $25,000 but the cost was higher, due in part to the need to remove the fence around the facility, he told the committee.
• Construction of the new women's washroom at the Olds shop was completed at a cost of $9,044, with the original budget of $10,000.
• Replacement of the roof at the Didsbury grader shop at a cost of $9,298.
• Replacement of the roof at the Eagle Hill grader shop at a cost of $9,418.
Regarding the ditching and drainage program, he said crews “will continue as long as weather permits. They are currently working on gravel pit exploration in various locations throughout the county, as well as gravel pit cleanup at the Dyck pit.”
