The newest addition to the Rural Municipality of Weyburn council traveled every road in Division 2 before attending his first council meeting on June 8.

"I have time to do that and I wanted to see what they are like and what's needed after all the rain," said Ron Fellner on Monday. He was acclaimed to represent the division in late May.

Road conditions are one of the issues that brought Fellner to the table, to replace Carmen Sterling who was acclaimed as reeve earlier this spring.

"When you get five-to-seven inches of rain and heavy traffic that can't be avoided, you'll get bad roads. I think if people are made aware of what we're doing, that we're doing the best we can, they're more understanding," said Fellner.

The road past the Weyburn golf course is a good example, he said. The RM sent a grader down the road just the day before a motocross competition was planned, so competitors and their audience would have good access.

But then it rained and the road was still greasy for travelers, he said. He received angry calls from people complaining about it.

"I think it should be black top and I would like to work toward that," he said. In the meantime, the RM spread more gravel and is spending about $20,000 to upgrade it, he said.

RM council approved a resolution at its June 8 meeting to purchase an extra 3,500 yards of gravel for municipal roads after the rains this spring. The municipality operates three graders, five days a week, and sends them out on Saturday if work has not been possible through the week.

RM administrator Kim McIvor said his office has received a few calls about ruts in the roads. "All in all, everyone has been very understanding that we don't control Mother Nature and we get out on the roads as quickly as possible," he said.

Fellner also hopes he might be able to help negotiate some of the issues between the RM and other agencies and governments.