RM of Lumsden - Council Meeting Oct. 23

October 24, 2025

-By Aaron Walker

Key points from this story:

• Most roadwork for 2025 nearly finished
• New road-stabilizing products discussed
• Council examines financial statements and surplus
• Subdivision and development applications approved
• Highway 734 bridge demolition underway
• Tax-enforcement notices being issued

Road maintenance, finances, and development dominated the discussion as the Rural Municipality of Lumsden council met Oct. 23.

Public Works foreman Scott Haynes reported that most 2025 roadwork is complete except for a few gravel roads left unfinished due to time constraints. Two remaining culvert installations, one on Foxleigh Road and one on Twin Valley Road, are expected to be complete early next week.

Councillors discussed the potential use of road-stabilizing products, including Gravel-Lok and Special Blend (SB) 90, which have reportedly produced “smooth, washboard-free surfaces” in other municipalities such as Sherwood, Pense, and Brock. Haynes said these applications “turned out really nice” in those municipalities and that “it’s quickly becoming the way to build a safer, stronger, and sustainable road.”

Council later heard from Clayton, a representative of Con-Aid Canada, who explained that the former Gravel-Lok has recently rebranded to Con-Aid but remains “the exact same product.” He outlined how the soil additive permanently alters the clay structure of gravel roads to repel water and improve durability. “Once you put it in, it’s a permanent change,” he said.

Financial updates

Finance manager Ryan Haresign presented the September bank reconciliation and financial statement, noting the RM transferred about $1.6 million into its high-interest savings account, bringing that balance to “just under” $7.5 million.

Haresign projected a year-end surplus of about $90,000, based on remaining operating expenses and revenues. He said the estimate “is going to be plus or minus 10 or 20 per cent” of that number.

Council also reviewed the 2025 gravel summaries. Divisions 2, 3, and 6 received about 16,918 metric tonnes of gravel, while Divisions 1, 4, and 5 totalled 25,378 metric tonnes — roughly two per cent above tendered amounts.

Planning and development

Planner Aimee Bryck reported that subdivision application 2023-009 has been approved following payment of outstanding fees, allowing five new lots to proceed. A new parcel-tie removal application for commercial property north of Highway 11 was also approved.