The Town of Battleford made several major deals with local companies in its last meeting before the municipal election Oct. 24.
On the agenda was a renewed agreement with the local union, CUPE local no. 3003. The new collective agreement between the town and the union, which will last until Dec. 31, 2015, had only a few changes from the last agreement. The length of the term was changed to 42 months, and "dirty work" premiums increased from $1 to $1.50. The agreement also has wage increases of four, three and three per cent for the next three years.
Outgoing mayor Chris Odishaw stated that the negotiation process was a good one for both parties.
The Town also signed a deal on 2013-2015 management and out of scope salaries that will lead to a three per cent increase per year from 2013 to 2015.
The Town also signed a significant development and servicing agreement with Kramer Ltd., which was expected to "change the look and feel of the Battlefords for years to come," in the words of councillor Garth Walls.
The agreement commits Kramer to around 1.5 kilometres of road construction, slightly under 5,000 metres of water mains, valves and hydrants, sewer mains, building service connections, bituminous asphalt and electric power, telephone, natural gas service, cable and street lighting. For all of these, except for some of the water main construction (for which the Town is contributing around $420,000), Kramer will pay the whole cost.
Kramer is also receiving a five-year tax exemption, as signed at the previous council meeting.
