R.M. of Mariposa council discusses road restriction

By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice

KERROBERT – The R.M. of Mariposa council discussed a road restriction that was recently placed. The discussion was held at their Aug. 12 regular council meeting.

In a phone call with Your West Central Voice Aug. 14, Reeve Jeremy Welter stated that councillors discussed a recent road restriction that was placed within the municipality, observing that 2026 has been an odd year for weather which has included periods of very heavy rainfall.

R.M. of Mariposa Reeve, Jeremy Welter. Photo courtesy APAS

Welter stated that the R.M. doesn't have a bylaw or policy for these situations, and noted he's been on council six years and never saw this issue. In fact, in the past eight years the same issue has only come up once.

The reeve stated that instead of a bylaw or policy council agreed the municipality should just be a bit more responsive in the moment when rainfall affects roads and noted Mariposa will play it by ear.

Councillors discussed the R.M.'s approach policy after receiving an approach widening request.

Welter stated councillors discussed municipalities supporting a target sector support grant for a councillor training course. However, Mariposa requested an extension for training as rural councillors often have farming that needs to be done that may conflict with training deadlines. Welter confirmed this training course deadline was extended into the fall.

Councillors spoke with their Public Works foreman about an upcoming road tour.

Councillors agreed to provide a letter of support for a Manitoba company that hopes to install high-speed fibre optic cables in west central Saskatchewan. Welter noted that the letter will be sent to the CRTC.

The reeve noted council discussed current gravel hauling, and the fact that one company was unable to provide hauling services. He noted another company has taken on the extra work and that more hauling is expected to be done this month.

Tree removal was discussed by councillors, including trees that were causing line-of-sight issues.

Gravel exploration was next on the agenda; councillors discussed how much Mariposa should spend looking for new sources of gravel. Welter noted the municipality has already found one ratepayer willing to provide gravel, and the R.M. would like a local engineer to provide them advice on other sources' suitability as not all gravel meets Mariposa's requirements.

The reeve also answered some questions from YWCV regarding the federal government's 2 per cent liquid strychnine program. Welter, who is himself an agricultural producer, noted that the program has been progressing as well as can be expected considering world events. He added that a strychnine producer has informed the municipality that it's having some difficulty getting the chemical it needs to make this pest control toxin. The reeve noted that a supplier stated that one component of strychnine that comes from India was in short supply.

Welter observed he isn't an expert but suspects world events, including wars in other parts of the world, could be affecting supply chains that ultimately contribute to the manufacture of strychnine. He added that any number of events could be to blame.

The reeve stated that the rules laid out in the strychnine program are exceptionally onerous and very cautious and while some producers were initially happy at the program's announcement, are less so now that stringent enforcement rules have been made clear; some critics feel participating in the program isn't worth the headache.

Welter pointed out that he sees strychnine as one tool in a farmer's toolbox, and when one tool doesn't work, you should try another.