At the regular meeting of council on Jan. 19, Irricana council voted down a proposal from Cowboy Septic, an Airdrie-based septic company, requesting to dump its waste in Irricana’s lagoon every month for a negotiable dumping charge.
“It’s more revenue for us and it’s not going to cost us anything,” said Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Robert Jorgenson while explaining the benefits if the request was approved.
The request came on Jan. 5 and was presented to council with a suggested dumping rate of $11.38 per cubic metre, Cochrane’s dumping rate for its lagoon, for a profit of approximately $1,500 annually for the Town.
“Cochrane’s capacity could be vastly different than ours,” said Mayor Valerie Squires who earlier expressed concerns about the lagoons capacity.
According to Jorgenson, the lagoons can hold the waste of 3,000 people even though Irricana has less than 1,200 people, whose waste filters into the lagoon already.
Jorgenson said he is unsure why an Airdrie company asked to remove waste in Irricana, but speculates the company works in the rural areas between Irricana and Airdrie.
He also couldn’t comment on how much wastewater is produced per household.
Squires argued the Town’s current population, plus new developments on the horizon adding 67 new homes, could put the lagoon at maximum capacity with the addition of Cowboy Septic’s dumping 36,000 gallons of extra waste per year.
This, council said, would put the lagoon at risk of overflowing if there was a heavy snowfall one year.
“Let’s not even take the chance,” said Councillor Kim Schmaltz.
“It’s just not worth it for $1,500.”
Schmaltz motioned to deny the request, which was approved unanimously.
“If we file for information we’re just wasting (Cowboy Septic’s) time,” Schmaltz said.
Historical committee approved
Three Irricana residents have successfully applied for and created Irricana’s first Irricana Historical Society, which aims to give recommendations to council on historical interests and apply for government grants.
“I’m excited (about the committee) and these members are excited,” Councillor Laura Thiessen said.
Council approved the applications from Crystal Bell, Melodie Tulsie and Alicia Santaguida to form the society.
The applications were sent in November, 2014.
Tulsie said she was very happy with council’s decision to approve, adding the three members are excited to get started.
“I know personally I’m just interested in history,” Tulsie said.
“Since moving to Irricana I’ve been interested in the history of the area.”
She said the first item of business will be mapping out the cemetery and labeling unmarked graves, though she said the Society will likely have to wait a while before jumping into any big projects.
“I’m really excited to see what ideas come out of this,” Tulsie said.
