The taps are staying on in the Hamlet of Lone Rock, for now.
The RM of Wilton was set to shut off the water plant and sewer utilities on Wednesday in Lone Rock.
Wilton officials say they are holding off terminating water services to accommodate recent agreements with some homeowners and as what it calls a compassionate response to the extreme heat conditions being experienced on the Prairies. Wilton has made no mention of the sewer utilities.
Wilton’s contractor has been installing water wells for some residents in Lone Rock since announcing the cutoff of water services last year, but seven homes have held out and reduced the service. Head of the Board of the Organized Hamlet of Lone Rock Lloyd Ludwig remains concerned as to how long the delay will last.
In August 2018, when the matters between Lone Rock and Wilton surfaced, MyLloydminsterNow reported that Wilton had indicated that the water would not be shut off until 2022. However, in May of 2020, the RM informed Lone Rock residents that the water plant would be shut down at the end of June.
Lone Rock Board representatives have been knocking on various government doors including the Saskatchewan Municipal Board and Court of Queen’s Bench in North Battleford in an effort to permanently stay the water turn-off.
At the SMB, a date for mediation has not been set. However, on the water issue, the SMB, in an email to MyLloydminsterNow dated June 28th said it does not have jurisdiction and told the Lone Rock residents to seek legal counsel.
At the Court of Queen’s Bench, Ludwig says their representatives appeared via telephone on June 11th and 24th and both times their case was adjourned.
“So we are lucky enough to have a pro-bono lawyer working for us right now. We would like to see that [SMB] appeal board go, so we could get things resolved properly.”
MyLloydminsterNow sought a statement from the RM. However, in an email on June 30th, Reeve Glen Dow indicated that as the matters with Lone Rock are ongoing, the municipality has no comment at this time.