(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Local improvement update

Petition against local improvement in Melfort succeeds

Feb 27, 2025 | 11:03 AM

Only one of two Local Improvement Projects in Melfort’s north end that were slated for 2025 will go ahead as planned.

The city planned to undertake asphalt paving on Babington Ave. E. from 1st St. N. to Albert St., and rolled curb and gutter work on Cairns Ave. E. from Albert St. to Assiniboia St.

Both projects received petitions against them, but the Babington Ave. E. project didn’t receive enough signatures to prevent the project from going forward. The Cairns Ave. E. project was successfully petitioned against.

The Babington project will now proceed this year.

Director of Corporate Services and City Clerk Lydia Steffen explains the next step for the proposed project on Cairns.

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“In accordance with the provisions of the LI Act, no individual or group may initiate a similar petition concerning the same proposed local improvement for a period of two years from the date of the receipt of this petition,” explained Steffen. That includes the City of Melfort.

The Local Improvement Act, 1993 outlines the stipulations for a successful petition, including the required number of signatures from affected property owners, the timeline for submissions, and other procedural necessities.

“The most important stipulation is that the majority of property owners must sign a petition,” Steffen said.

Steffen added that the Local Improvement Bylaw is a valuable tool municipalities can use to begin to develop or provide infrastructure improvements to directly benefit residents.

“Unfortunately, at times, development can be delayed due to affordability constraints,” explained Steffen. “These financial constraints can create challenges in advancing development projects, as the City works to balance the cost of improvements with what residents are able to contribute.”

While this helps ensure the financial feasibility of the project, according to Steffen, it can result in delays in completing the infrastructure that directly benefits the community.

The City has now adopted the practice of prioritizing the installation of infrastructure prior to the sale of property to help avoid the need to implement local improvements at a later stage, which ensures the amenities are in place from day one.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com