Dawson Trail Dispatch October 2019

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Dawson Trail Dispatch

Celebrating Over 20 Years of Service to Our Communities!

October 2019

Wastewater Truck Convoy Supports Rates Rise in Special Olympics Stuartburn

Almost two hundred semi-trucks and trailers from companies throughout the region rolled out of Ile des Chenes as Photos by Marianne Curtis they participated in the annual Special Olympics Convey.

By Marianne Curtis On September 13, the air horns sounded as nearly two hundred semi-trucks pulled out of Ile des Chenes to roar down the highway before making a loop around the Perimeter Highway in support of Special Olympics Manitoba. At the start of the day, the TransCanada Centre was filled to capacity as drivers and their families, along with local athletes gathered for breakfast then back again for dinner. This is the second time the event has taken place in Ile des Chenes. The Special Olympics Truck Convoy is a unique partnership between law enforcement and the trucking industry that

raises international awareness and raises funds for Special Olympics athletes to train in year-round sports activities. Funds are raised for Special Olympics through a combination of drivers or companies registering their trucks, as well as private, in-person and online donations. Since 2008, the Manitoba Truck Convoy has raised over $500,000 for Special Olympics and this year’s proceeds are expected to drive that amount to over $600,000. For over 50 years, Special Olympics have provided its athletes with the strength, determination and confidence to take on challenges in sport and in life, giving them the audacity to stare down any hurdle and respond “Challenge Accepted�.

Trucks and drivers gather along both sides of old Highway 59, just south of Ile des Chenes.

RM of Stuartburn residents who require their septic tanks to be regularly cleaned may see an additional surcharge added to their fees now that the municipality has gained approval to up their sewage hauling rates charged to haulers. The amended bylaw was approved on September 3 after the RM of Stuartburn council received approval from the Public Utilities Board (PUB) to revise the rates they charge for the Vita Wastewater Utility as set out in By-law No. 150-18. The current rates compared to those calculated by the accompanying rate study are noted as an Annual Service Charge of $1.76 that is raised to $2.88; Wastewater (per REU) that was at $138.24 will rise to $226.41 and the annual charge of $140 will rise to $229.29. In Public Utilities Board Order No 122/19 the Municipality also received approval to recover the utility operating deficit incurred in 2018 in the amount of $14,065. The method of recovery approved by the PUB is a rate rider of $45.19 per Residential Equivalency Unity (REU). The rate rider is for one year only, effective January 1, 2020. This means that on a 2020 tax bill, for 1 REU a revised annual rate of $229.29 plus the $45.19 rate rider = $274.48, will be applied. Most homes are 1 REU while some multi-family dwellings, small and large businesses will be more than 1 REU. By-law No. 150-18 was first brought to the table back in November 2018, with final reading given earlier in September. The last time the municipality amended their rates was back in 2009. As per the bylaw, effective January 1, 2020 septic service haulers are expected to pay $35 per load for septic material hauled from residents outside the boundaries of the LUD of Vita. One load is described as from one septic tank. According to RM of Stuartburn council, this means that when a resident calls to get their septic tank cleaned, the septic hauler may charge an extra $35 fee to cover the sewage truck dumping charge that the municipality is charging the hauler directly. Septic haulers who service residents in the RM of Stuartburn are encouraged to contact the municipal office to arrange a gate access card prior to January 1, 2020.


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