Weyburn city council has again delayed making a decision about whether to get out of commercial refuse pickup until Oct. 10, in order to find out from businesses what impact such a decision will have on them.

The city had initially tabled the decision in August to allow the Chamber of Commerce to find out the views of their members; the chamber held a meeting on Aug. 22, and 14 out of 31 present voted in favour of the city continuing to pick up commercial refuse, with 17 abstaining from voting.

Two more letters were received this week, again from both sides of the issue. Businessman Jack Jones of Pharmasave and McCoy's Drugs wrote asking the city to continue providing the service, saying they pay $50 a month for daily pickup service.

"I believe there are numerous commercial sites that could be in group containers and require weekly pickup only. I'm sure that arrangements could be worked out to shift daily and weekly pickups to other routes in the city if this was council's decision," said Jones, adding they would be willing to pay more to keep this service from the city.

Private contractor Regens Disposal wrote to council as well, saying they will have to cease providing service to 17 businesses unless the city gets out of commercial refuse pickup.

Gene Baniulis, president of Regens, said the company currently spends $42,400 in Weyburn through wages, fuel purchases, taxes and landfill fees which would be lost to the city if they pull out of Weyburn.

"The health district wants to let the city continue. It looks good for their budget, but the city also has to balance its budget. All major cities are not in commercial refuse collection anymore," said Coun. Marlene Nedelcov, speaking in favour of the city discontinuing the service.

Coun. Debra Button spoke against this move, saying the uncertainty around what a regional waste management system will look like means it would be premature for the city to make such a decision.

"We should hold off and repair the (garbage) truck as best we can. With the 17 people Regens looks after, could we not reimburse them and continue the pickup service from the rest? Before Regens, who was doing it? Was it not the city?," she added.

"This is not an easy decision to make, as was suggested by the letter from Pharmasave," said Coun. Ray Hamm, noting the city would reimburse the commercial sector for the monies the city collects for garbage collection, if the city ceased commercial pickup service.

"The question I have in not proceeding with commercial refuse collection, is what kinds of effects will small and large businesses have if we do that. What happens to the 17 people Regens serves (if we continue)? I would like to know the answer to that before I make a firm decision," said Hamm.

Mayor Don Schlosser suggested the city should hold its own meeting with businesses on this issue, before bringing the matter back on Oct. 10 for a decision.

Coun. Bill Rudachyk suggested that in the meantime, businesses should check with both private contractors as to what they will charge if the city stops collecting their garbage, plus the city should say what their new charges will be if they stay with commercial refuse pickup.

Nickle Lake is coming off a good summer, with attendance up by about 30 per cent over last year, said Coun. Ray Wahl.

Following a meeting of the regional park's board in early September, it was decided that a new intake water pipe will be needed due to the increased numbers of campers and higher restaurant use, said Wahl.

The park will need to repair the paddling pool, as there is a leak in the middle of it causing the pool to lose some 1,000 gallons of water a day.

The regional park has gotten busy enough that manager couple Ken and Judy Johnson suggested a second couple be hired to help manage it.

The growth may have to be put on hold for now, said Wahl, as public health inspector Ken Cross told the board there needs to be more washroom facilities before anymore people can be allowed to stay there.

The park will close for the season on the last weekend of September, and rates will not be increased for 2001, said Wahl.

Advance and special polls for the municipal election were set by council, with the nomination period about to open.

Returning officer Cheryl Rommann said nominations will open on Thursday, Sept. 14 and close at 4 p.m. on Sept. 27.

The advance polls will be held on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Turner Curling Museum, and again on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m.

"These polls are for electors who have disabilities or limited mobility, or those who anticipate not being able to vote on election day," said Rommann.

The special polls will be held on election day, which is Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Crocus Plains Villa from 10 a.m. to noon, and at the Weyburn Special Care Home from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.