History of the R.M. of Moosomin No. 121

Compiled by Don Davis from information in Moosomin Century One Town and Country, Moosomin History Book Committee

A brief history of the Rural Municipality of Moosomin No. 121 from the date of its formation in 1913 to 1980.  In the main it deals with the work of, and the problems encountered by, the people who govern it.

The Statutory meeting of the Council of the newly formed Rural Municipality of Moosomin No. 121 was held on January 6, 1913 with the following councillors present – Charles Bowering, Amos Kinsey; Wm. H. Fyke; A.C. Sarvis; Richard Cail, E. Connor.  The municipality, formerly Local Improvement District No. 121, was given municipal status by the provincial government.  It comprised six townships each containing thirty-six sections.  From this area was taken 2 ½ sections for the townsites of Moosomin, Fleming and Welwyn.  No change was made until 1970 when about 300 acres were annexed by the Town of Moosomin. 

During its first year, Richard Cail was elected Reeve and his place on the council was taken by W.R. Fallis. A.E. Hart was hired as Secretary-Treasurer at a salary of $40 per month and he was to provide suitable office space.  O. Neff was named auditor and was paid $50 for his services as such for the year 1912.  A  grant of $100 was made to the Moosomin Hospital as payment in full for any demands for the year.  An

advance of $80 was made to the secretary for the purchase of a typewriter and this amount was to be deducted from his salary at the end of the year.  Dr. Wark and Dr. Munro were appointed Health Officers.  A man and team were paid at the rate of 80 cents per hour for roadwork.  For the year 1913 the total paid council members for indemnity and supervision was $483.50.

1914:     A new member of council was George King who defeated Charles Bowering in the election of 1913.  The secretary-treasurer’s salary was increased to $900 per annum and he was bonded for $1,000.  A bounty of $1.50 was paid on prairie wolves.  Secretary-treasurer, A.E. Hart died after a lengthy illness and council passed a resolution expressing sympathy for the family.  Alex Horsburgh was appointed secretary-treasurer at a yearly salary of $800.  On July 4 the sum of $250 was borrowed to meet current expenses.

1915:     Waines replaced Amos Kinsey on council.  The rate of taxation for the current year was set at 3 ½ mills.  Arrangements were made with the Home Bank at Welwyn for ratepayers in Division 5 to pay their taxes at the bank.  Council requested the Provincial Government to share part of the automobile tax of $10 to $15 with the municipality to be used for road improvement.

1916:     E.C. Osborne replaced Charles Bowering as councillor for Division 1.  By resolution of council the Provincial Government was requested to levy a tax of 2 cents per acre on all land in Saskatchewan and that the money so raised be paid too the “Patriotic Fund".  Alex Horsburgh was given leave of absence when he enlisted in the armed forces.  He was replaced by V.C. McCurdy.  Dr. McKee was appointed Health Officer for Divisions 1 to 4.

1917:     The council for the year was made of Reeve Cail and councillors: Osborne, Waines, Fyke, Griffin, Fallis and Connor.  Mr. McLaren and Dr. Munro were appointed Health Officers.  Council approved a grant of $50 to the Independent Order of the Daughters of the Empire and at a later date another $50 for their navy league fund.  A grant of $75 was made to the St. Paul’s Soldiers Aid Society.  The sum of $100 was allocated for bounties to school children for gopher tails.  A grant of $50 was made to the French Wounded Emergency Fund.

1918:     Councillor Griffin was replaced by Sarvis.  Council approved purchase of a 12 foot blade grader at a cost of $1,476.75.  The tax rate for the year was set at 6 ½ mills.

1919:     E.B. Dobson was the new councillor for Div. 6 replacing Connor.  A resolution was passed requesting the Provincial Government to establish a Union Hospital at Moosomin and to include the municipality in its area.  Alex Horsburgh was reappointed Sec-Tres. Replacing V.C. McCurdy.  The secretary reported to council that bounty has been paid on 12,081 gopher tails to July 5th.  Dr. Wark was appointed Health Officer replacing Dr. McLaren. 

1920:     Dr. Chesnut was appointed Health Officer in place of Dr. Wark.  A rumely 30-6- engine was purchased to power the grader and also a #12 Road King grader and two Fresno scrapers for each division.  The Town of Moosomin was requested to reject the suffestion of daylight saving time.  The Sec.-Tres. Salary was increased to $1000.  Municipal tax rate was set at 8 mills.  The request of the Moosomin Collegiate for a grant was refused.  Two special meetings were held in June to adopt the plan set up by the Provincial Government for the destruction of grasshoppers.  The municipality was to supply the required poisons and the farmers were responsible for spreading it where required.

1921:     W.E. Bobier replaced Fyke as councillor and J.H. Pillsworth took over from Waines.  The municipality transferred its banking business to the Canadian Bank of Commerce from the Union Bank.  Borrowings carried an interest rate of 8%.  Considerable discussion took place by council regarding the route of the “Federal Aid Highway” between Fleming, Moosomin and Wapella.  A grant of $2000 was received from the Provincial Government to assist with work on main roads.  A resolution was passed and copies sent to both the Provincial and Federal Governments requesting that the Liquor Export House in the Town of Moosomin be closed due to a great deal of illicit trafficking.

1922:     A new member of council was Waines replacing A.C. Sarvis.  Dr. Keys of Fleming was appointed Health Officer, having taken over from Dr. Ellis.  All three Health Officers were paid a retaining fee of $25 per annum.  The municipality arranged with the St. Regis Hotel to rent a room at $20 per month for use as a ladies rest room.

1923:     Council continued to request the Provincial Government for a portion of the automobile tax and it appears that requests for grants for road work was an ongoing order of business throughout the years.  A plow and slush scraper were purchased.  Roadwork was paid for at an hourly rate of 35 cents for man, 60 cents for man and two horses and 80 cents for a man and four horses.  Councillor Dobson resigned and W.J.G. Mountney was elected.  The Sec. Treas. Was granted a salary increase of $10 per month.  Council passed a resolution expressing their approval of formation of the Wheat Pool and urged all farmers to sign up. 

1924:     The bounty on gopher tails was raised to 5 cents.  The Home Bank failure and the resultant hardship to many despositors caused the council to pass a resolution requesting the Federal Government to provide $8,500,000 to settle all obligations of the bank.

1925:     The Department of Highways was requested to close that portion of the Moose Mountain Road throughout the municipality.  The tax rate for the year was set at 7 mills.  Three Richardson road maintainers were bought.

1926:     Newton E. Jamieson was elected councillor replacing Fallis.  The Provincial Government was again requested to lvey a gasoline tax and the money raised to be used for road construction and maintenance.

1927:     Council passed a bylaw providing for the licensing of dogs, the fee ranging from $1 to $5.  A resolution regarding the innoculation of school age children again diphtheria was passed whereby the municipality agreed to pay half the cost of such program.  Four carloads of oats were purchased to be distributed to farmers.

1928:     It was decided to purchase a Caterpillar tractor, cost not stated.  Councillor Waines tendered his resignation and at a later date he was replaced by Norman H. Anderson.  Councillor Pillsworth resigned as at year end.

1929:     The new Reeve was R.S. Jackson replacing Richard Cail who had served in that capacity for 16 years.  A.E. Muir was the new councillor.  A bounty of $1.50 on wolf pups was authorized.  Farmers objected to the action of authorities at the jail farm in removing the snow from the road between the Farm and Moosomin as it preveneted the use of sleights for hauling.  The dog licensing bylaw was rescinded. 

1930:     Health officers for the municipality were Dr. Brownstein, Dr. Chestnut and Dr. Clark at a yearly retaining fee of $25 each.  A grant of $300 was made to the Moosomin Hospital.  A delegation from the Board of Trade asked council to give their suppor in requesting the Provincial Government to establish a Normal School in Moosomin.

1931:     Dr. Ferg, Chesnut and Coffyn were appointed as Health Officers.  The Provincial Government notified council that a highway would be built from Moosomin to Redvers.  Council approved an application by W.D. Stewart to operate a dance hall in his barn on NW 32-15-30. 

1932:     Council members were R.S. Jackson, Muir, Anderson, Mountney, Fyke, Jamieson and Osborne.  A grant of $400 was made to the Moosomin Hospital.  A resolution was passed and sent tot he Provincial Government requesting no further taxes of any nature be improsed owing to the depression and dark financial picture.  Hourly rates of pay for roadwork were man 20 cents, tow horses 20 cents and four horses 40 cents and all montes earned were to be applied on taxes.  The municipality guaranteed payment to the Sask Relief Commission for twine and binder repairs provided to farmers.

1933:     Jackson and Fyke left council and their places were taken by A.C. Sarvis as reeve and Campbell as councillor.  Health Officers were Drs. Mitchell, Young and Richards.  For meetings and supervision, the reeve and councillors were paid at the rates of $4 and $3 per day respectively with travel paid for at 10 cents a mile.  Accumulated penalties on taxes were to be cancelled if the tax arrears were paid by March 31st.  A payment of $8 per month was authorized for a certain indigent man and he was to be provided with a “suitable cap”.  The municipal tax rate was set at 1 ½ mills.  One ratepayer was paid $1.87 for loss of one sheep killed by dogs and this amount was applied on his taxes.  The municipal engine, grader and power scraper were loaned free to the committee in charge of the Pipestone swimming pool.

1934:     Councillors Muir and Anderson were replaced by J. McLoughry and G.A. Friffin.  Bank loans were obtained at a rate of 6 ½%.  During the “hungry thirties” a great deal of council’s tie was devoted to providing assistance to needy persons. 

1935:     The municipal tax rate was 3 ½ mills.  The Sec.-Treas. was granted a salary increase of $5 per month.  The sum of $8,000 was borrowed for the purpose of providing seed, feed, petroleum products and machinery repairs to farmers.  A carload of seed oats was ordered and five carloads of fodder were bought for $ 439.26.  A bylaw was passed authorizing council to engage a medical practitioner for the municipality. 

1936:     Drs. Ferg and Chestnut were engaged at municipal doctors at a yearly salary of $4,500.  Mr. Mitchell of Fleming was the new Health Officer.  A serious problem at this time was caused by dogs running loose and killing quite a number of sheep.

1937:     R.S. Jackson resigned and Archie Campbell was elected Reeve.  Banking business was now conducted with the Royal Bank as the Canadian Bank of Commerce had closed its branch at this point.  The sum of $ 8,000 was borrowed for relief purposes.  A carload of fruit and vegetables was received from the residents of Peterborough, Ontario.

1938:     Council members were Reeve Campbell, Barnes, Griffin, Osborne, Jamieson and Mason.  The Provincial Government was requested to supply a carload of potatoes for relief.  The sume of $ 16,953 was borrowed at 4% interest to supply seed, feed, fuel and petroleum products to farmers who were to repay the loans from sale of crop.  The municipality purchased the Bank of Commerce building for $2,000 and rented two rooms on the second floor to Dr. Jamieson at $25 per month.  An automatic stoker was installed in the furnace.  Three carloads of sawdust were ordered to be used in mixing grasshopper bait.

1939:     The secretary-treasurer’s salary was increased to $100 per month.  John Jamieson was hired to operate the municipal grader at the rate of 35 cents per hour but a short time later this position was taken by Clarence Birkbeck.  J.W. New and John Jamieson were to operate the equipment for digging dugouts and they were paid $5 and 3$ respectively for a 16 hour day.

1940:     Gordon Parker took over as caretaker of the building at $20 per month.

1941:     An adding machine was purchased for office use.  Councillor Connor resigned and Townsend was elected at a later date to replace him.  A fully equipped International TD14 crawler tractor was purchased for $ 5,380.81 and 4 Adams road maintainers were also bought.  The municipality guaranteed payment of accounts owing dealers for binder twine.

1942:     Municipal tax rate for the year was 7 3/10 mills with an additional 2 6/10 mills for municipal doctor.  The material for construction of a machine shed was purchased at a cost of $233.00.  Geo. Sim was hired to build the shed for $70 and was paid an extra $12 for applying two coats of paint. 

1943:     Early in the year each councillor was appointed chairman to organize a “Win the War”:committee in his division.  Tax rate for the year was 9 9/10 mills.  Victory loan bonds in the amount of $6,500 were purchased with municipal funds.

1944:     The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation office in Regina was requested to conduct a survey of the Pipestone Creek to ascertain the feasibility of constructing a dam on Sec. 6-13-31-W1st.  Council subscribed for $4,000 of Victory Loan bonds.  Wm.A. Fisher and Robert Miller were hired to operate road equipment at 70 cents and 80 cents per hour respectively.  The livery stable was purchased for $300 by the Town and Municipality as joint owners.  A grader was loaned to the committee in charge to build a road into Sanctuary Park.  A section of pasture and bush land owned by the municipality was sold for $640.

1945:     The secretary-treasurer’s salary was increased to $ 1,800 per annum.  Geo. France and Harry Muzylowski were hired as equipment operators.  Councillor Townsend resigned and R.E. Harrison was elected.  A ¼ section of land was sold by the municipality for $400.

1946:     Councillor Elmore replaced Barnes on council.  Reeve Campbell and councillor Harrison were appointed members on the Moosomin Union Hospital Board.  A new tractor and scraper were bought for $12,336 and the old outfit was sold for $7,500.

1947:     Council members were Cuthill, Elmore, Axten, Griffin, Clark, Harrison and Reeve N.G. White.  Drs. H.R. Sharp and M.J. Preston were appointed enforcement officers under the Pure Bred Sires Area Act.  Grants totalling $120 were made to the rest rooms in Moosomin, Welwyn and Rocanville.  Council went on record as being opposed to the requested 30% freight rate increase and advised the Federal Government to that effect.  The tax rate was set at 18 mills which included municipal doctors. Council indicated they were in favor of a new hospital being built in Moosomin.  The municipal doctors were paid $5,000 for the year.

1948:     Alex Harsburch was appointed secretary-treasurer for 10 months at a salary of $100 per month and L.T. Henry was appointed assistant at $50 per month.  A bulldozer was bought for $2,769.  The municipal doctor contract with Drs. Ferg and Chesnut expired on December 31st and at their request was not renewed.

1949:     P.N Procyk was hired as secretary-treasurer at $2,000 per annum.  Archie Campbell took over from N.G. White as Reeve.  A municipal doctor contract at $ 5,000 per annum was entered into with Doctors H. Chestnut and B. Hunter.  Municipal ta rate was 20 mills.  Tenants in the municipal building were Dr. S. Jamieson, dentist, A.B. Shanks, Beauty Salon, C.J. Wilde, coal dealer, Mrs. J. Bretz, suite and Mrs. S. Harrison, suite.  The Department of Highways was urgently requested to begin construction at an early date on the new #1 highway to the Manitoba border.  New tenant in the Beauty Parlor was Lorna Ketcheson.  A grant of $25 was made to the United Emergency fund for Britian.  W. Elmore retired from council.  P.N. Procyk retired as secretary-treasurer and he was replaced by E.J. Carlson but due to ill health he only held the position for a short time.  Lawrence Wilkinson assumed the duties as of January 1/50.

1950:     James Cuthill was the new council members.  The road equipment was loaned to the Fleming Rink Committee to prepare the site for a new rink.  1430 bushels of registered Thatcher wheat was purchased for $3,200 and resold to farmers for $2.45 per bushel.  The municipal tax rate was 22 mills.  A new tenant on the second floor was Bert Boyles.

1951:     Council members were Reeve Archie Campbell, Wilson, Lowe, Huelsman, Griffin, Birkbeck and Harrison.  Bert Longman of Maryfield was operator of road construction equipment at an hourly rate of $1.25.  Drs. Chestnut and Hunter were the municipal doctors at a salary of $8.500 per annum.  Council passed a resolution voicing their strong opposition to the proposed Pipestone dam.  See 1944!  J.E. Howes was a new tenant and the Beauty Parlor was now operated by Miss C. Barnes and Miss L. Herde.

1952:     Howard Mountney replaced R. Harrison on council.  Due to an outbreak of Hoof and Mouth disease, this area was placed in a quarantined zone.  Council reversed its previous stand and approved the contruction by the P.F.R.A. of a dam on the Pipestone Creek.  The municipal tax rate was 24 mills.  A new crawler tractor was purchased for $11,026.15 less a trade-in allowance of $3,500 on the old one.

1953:     A bylaw was passed to provide for the licensing of oil and gas well drilling rigs.  The Sec—Treas. salary was increased to $2,700.  A committee was set up to look into the possibility of establishing an “Old Folks Home” in this area.  Due to extremely wet conditions the Federal Department of Agriculture was requested to undertake extensive drainage to reclaim flooded lands. 

1954:     In March L. Wilkinson resigned and D.C. Davis was hired at a salary of $2,700 as assistant Sec.Treas. under supervision until such time as he completed the course set by the Department of Municipal Affairs.  A grant of $250 was made to assist with the construction of a land strip adjacent to the town.  An application was made to Medical Services Inc. for their community group plan for residents of the municipality.  Approval was given for a plan to establish a summer resort at the Pipestone Creek dam reservoir.  The Union Hospital levy for the year was $4,795.04.

1955:     Gerald Turnmire was hired to operate the motor grader.  D.C. Davis was appointed Sec.-Tres. Having successfully completed the required course.  A Richardson #40 motor grader was bought for $7,470.

1956:     It was decided to join with the municipalities of Martin and Rocanville in establishing a Veterinary Service District.  A resolution was passed agreeing to co-operate in the establihsing of a Senior Citzens’ Home with the municipality’s share of the capital cost being $1,920.  The Provincial Government requested that consideration be given to the proposed larger municipalties. 

1957:     Council members were paid $8 per day for meeting and supervising roads.  Dr. B.A. McDonald was appointed veterinarian under the P.B.S.A. act.  Permission was given to Sunset Memorial Gardens to establish a private cemetery on NW ¼ 28-13-31.  Council designated the roads they wished to have included in the provincial Grid Road system.  A Caterpillar tractor was purchased for $16,304.90.  A reassessment of the entire municipality resulted in a large number of appeals to the Court of Revision.

1958:     The municipality purchased 2,000 shares of Eastern Sask. Pioneer Lodge with the nominal par value to $1 each and appointed as their representatives on the board Gordon Dobson and D.C. Davis.  Trans Canada Pipelines requested council to make an early start on reconstruciton of the road from Moosomin to their pressure station.  For this purpose the municipality borrowed $50,000 from the Department of Municipal Affairs at 4 ½ per cent interest with the loan being repaid by assigning the taxes on the pipeline property.

1959:     An agreement was signed with Sask. Power Corp. for natural gas service.  Ratepayers were advised caution regarding leasing of mineral rights.  Les King resigned from council as from January 1/60 and Lloyd Bobier was elected by acclamation.

1960:     A new Adams motor grader was bought for $13,000.  The municipal tax rate was 35 mills.  At the request of the town the rest room was kept open from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. upon its agreement to make a yearly grant of $500.  A grant of $610 was made to East. Sask. Pioneer Lodge to furnish a double bedroom.

1961:     Oscar Frondall was the new councillor for Division 1.  Councillors Turpie and Mountney were appointed to the Moosomin Union Hospital Board.  Mel and Lawrence McGonifal were hired to operate the road construction machinery.  For P.F.A.A. purposes, the wheat yield was estimated at 3 bushels per acre.  Feed grain and fodder were in short supply and elevators in the municipality were issued “hold orders” covering about 28,000 bushels of oats, such orders to expire August 31st.  Assistance was provided for the cost of moving in fodder. 

1962:     A further grant for furnishings, $600., was made to East. Sask. Pioneer Lodge.  A rather large number of snowplow clubs were organized in the R.M.

1963:     The Regional Park was established under an agreement signed by the Town of Moosomin and the R.M.’s of Martin and Moosom.  An agreement was entered into whereby the municipality was included in the South East Sask. Regional Library.  The municipal tax rate was 37 mills.

1964:     A. Rustebakke was the new councillor for Div 6 replacing H. Mountney.  A new D6C Cat tractor was bought for $25,200.  An agreement was made with the Town of Moosomin whereby they would provide fire protection throughout the municipality for a yearly grant of $500 and a nominal charge for each fire attended.  Grid road construction was well along.  Two lots for a future machine shed were bought from the town for $200.

1965:     At the May council meeting, the Sask. Association of Rural Municipalities long service awards were presented by Reeve Alf Griffin to Alex Horsburgh and former councillors Newton Jamieson and Ernest Osborne.  A grant of $3,922 was made to East. Sask. Pioneer Lodge for assist with the construction of a 30 bed nursing home.  Angus Turpie Sr. retired from the council and Glen Davidson was elected.

1966:     Road construction equipment operators were Mel, Delbert and Lawrence McGonigal at hourly rates of $2.10, 1.60 and 1.85 respectively.  The wheat yield throughout the municipality was estimated at 15 bushels per acres.  Howard Mountney was appointed to the board of the Moosomin Union Hospital.

1967:     Members of council were Reeve G.A. Griffin, O. Frondall, Glen Davidson, R. Roe, L. Bobier, M. Parker and A. Rustebakke.  A grant of $50 was made to the Welwyn Regional Park.  A Letourneau-Westinghourse motor grader was bought at a price of $19,240.  The Department of Municipal Affairs was requested to reassess the entire municipality.  The municipal tax rate was 39 mills and the Union Hospital 5 mills.  Grants were made to Moosomin and Fleming cemeteries for upkeep.  A network of Main Farm Access roads was decided upon.

1968:     The Sec.-Treas. salary was increased to $7,500.  A grant of $440 was made to Eastern Sask. Pioneer Lodge.  The new Beauty Parlor operator was Miss Rose Dingman.  Council voiced their strong objection to the prov. Tax of 2 cents per gall on farm fuel.  Members of the town council attended a meeting to discuss mutual problems.

1969:     The entire municipality was reassessed by the Department of Municipal Affairs.  A new grader was purchased at a cost of $28,325.  Mrs. Ruby Mitchell was appointed representative on the Regional Library Board.  The tender of the Moosomin Co-op at 21.5 cents per gallon was accepted for supplying 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel.  Due to reassessment, a large number of appeals were heard by the Court of Revision.  A letter of sympathy was sent to the family of former councillor Rueben Roe upon his sudden death.  Permission was given for a gas pipeline to Welwyn from the compressor station.  John Moffatt was elected councillor.  The Dept. of Municipal affairs was advised that council strongly objects to the annexation by the Town of Moosomin of any property north of No. 1 Highway.

1970:     The location of a gas pipeline to Fleming was approved.  The Dept. of Highways was requested to abandon the registered roadway through the municipality known as the “Moosomin Trail: from Moosomin to Fort Ellice.  The assessment for the year was confirmed at $2,443,680.

1971:     Clarence Frape was the new councillor for Division 1.  A grant of !,304 was applied for from the Director Sask. Homecoming ’71 to match the following grrants made by the municipality – Kinsmen Club of Moosomin, $659 for swimming pool; Towns of Fleming, Rocanville and Welwyn $215 each.  The route of a gas pipeline to Fairlight and Maryfield was approved.  A grant of $1,961 was made for an addition to the Nursing Home.

1972:     A grant of $250 was made to Moosomin Library to help with expenses.  An unused road allowance was made available to the Moosomin Flying Club for use as a landing strip.  The wheat yield was estimated at 15 bushels per acres.  At the annual meeting of ratepayers, a motion was passed directing council to make no donation to the proposed new arena for Moosomin.  The meeting thanked retiring Reeve Alf Griffin for his many years of service on council.  Later on, at a social gathering, G.A. “Alf” Griffin was presented with a suitably engraved mantle clock in appreciation of his 37 years of service on the council on behalf of the ratepayers.  The presentation was made by former Sec.-Tres. Lorne Wilkinson.

1973:     Members of council were Reeve Glen Davidson, Angus Turpie Jr., Clarence Frape, John Moffatt, Miller Parker, Les Connor, and Lloyd Bobier.  A 25 foot strip of land on each side of the road allowance was purchased to allow for widening and reconstruction of the Kipling Road prior to construction.  Brandon Sand and Gravel were awarded a contract to crush and stockpile 20,000 yards of gravel.  A Champion motor grader with snowplow and wing was bought for $40,250.

1974:     Art Roy and Sinclair J. Harrison replaced L. Connor and L. Bobier on council.  Remuneration for council members was set at $25 per day.  Municipal tax rate was 40 mills.  The resignation of D.A. Davis as Sec.-Treas. was accepted effective as of July 1st.  Kenneth J. Engel was engaged in that position at a yearly salary of $8,500.  The retiring Sec.-Treas. was presented with a suitably engraved tray in recognition of his 20 years of service.  M.G. Parker resigned from council and D.R. Craig was elected.  A grant of $2,000 was made to the new Moosomin Library to asisst with cost of furnishings.

1975:     The tender of the Moosomin Co-op for supplying diesel fuel at 34.7 cents per gallon was accepted.  Road machinery operators were Mel, Lawrence, Derek and Delbert McGonigal at rates of from $4 to $4.50 per hour.  Paul Morsky Ltd. was awarded the contract to construct 5 ½ mills of Grid Road at a cost of $76,740.  Council completed an agreement with the town for fire protection at a cost of $1,000 per year plus a minimum charge of $150 for each fire attended.  The municipal tax rate was 60 mills.  A Parks and Recreation Board was established as a joint board with similar boards set up by Moosomin, Fleming, Welwyn and Rocanville.

1976:     Glen Davidson sold his property in the municipality and the office of Reeve was declared vacant.  Later in the year a testimonial dinner was held to honor him and he was presented with a suitable plaque.  J.S. Harrison was elected Reeve and Vince Dobson councillor for Division 6.  An agreement was made whereby K.J. Engel became Sec.-Tres. for both the R.M.’s of Moosomin and Martin and his time was to be divided between the two.  Grants for the year to the Parks and Recreation Boards were as follows – Moosomin $2,000; Fleming and Welwyn, $800 each and Rocanville $400.  Municipal tax rate was set at 56 mills.  The following equipment was bought – rotary mower, $3,500;  truck $6,200; tractor, $13,019.

1977:     A grant of $100 was made to the Moosomin school band.  The Provincial Government was requested to establish a Super Grid Road area authority.  A tender for diesel fuel at 48.9 cents per gallon was accepted.  A grant of $1,000 was made to the town to assist with the purchase of a new fire department van.  The municipal tax rate was 65 mills.  A new workshop was contracted for at a price of $17,300.  A recreation support grant for $1,000 was made to be divided between Moosomin, Fleming, Welwyn and Rocanville.  D.R. Craig resigned from council and Murdoch R. James was elected by acclamation.

1978:     Marshall Contraction was paid $7,500 for crushing 5,000 yards of gravel at the Frondall pit.  The municipality entered into an agreement with some other R.M.’s and some towns to establish a Road Ambulance Service.  A bylaw to provide for a grant of $5,000 to the Moosomin new arena was defeated by a vote of burgess.  It was decided to hard surface 3 miles of Regional Park road within the municipality and the regional park board was requested to pay part of the cost.  The assessment was $2,804,110.  Lynn Abrhamson was appointed to the Moosomin Recreation Board to replace Fred Blackmore who had resigned. 

1979:     Donald Birkbeck was the new councillor for Division 5.  A new Caterpillar motor grader was purchased at a cost of $90,000 plus trade-in.  A bylaw was passed to provide for the licensing of parties wishing to excavate gravel anywhere within the municipality and they were to pay a fee based on the amount of gravel removed.  A Rat Eradication bylaw was passed and Ken Powell was appointed Pest Control Officer under the bylaw.  Gail Harrison was the representative on the board of Pioneer Lodge.

1980:     A tender for supplying diesel fuel at 80.7 cents per gallon was accepted.  David Meyer and Douglas Bain were appointed to the Regional Park board.  A rotary mower was bought for $5,200.  The municipal tax rate was set at 75 mills.  Although the greater portion of council’s time was and is taken up with the planning, construction and maintenance of roads, it will be noted for the foregoing excerpts from the minutes over the years that they were involved in many areas which concern the welfare of the residents.

RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF MOOSOMIN #121 – From 1981 to present by Mrs. Annie Zondervan

1981:     J. Sinclair Harrison, first elected Reeve in 1976 was still holding that office.  Ably assisted by six councillors: Clarence Frape, Vincent Dobson, Donald Birkbeck, Arthur Roy, Angus Turpie, and John Moffatt.  Donald Birkbeck was appointed Agriculture Councillor and he, together with ratepayers Bob Moffatt, Harold Michel and Earl Griffin made up the Agriculture Committee for the municipality.  This committee was given the authority to hold such meetings as the members deemed necessary throughout the year.  Remuneration rates were set at $25 per meeting, councillor supervision at $4.50 per hour.  Attendance at conventions was $25 per day.  Mileage was paid at 25 cents per mile for 15/63 cents per km.  Graders and crawler tractor equipment could be rented at $30.00 per hour with a minimum charge of $5.00.  Grader operator’s wages were raised from $7.70 per hour to $8.80 per hour with a guaranteed minimum of $800.00 per month.  Caroll Taylor was hired for the season at $6.75 per hour.  Kenneth  Engel, who became secretary-treasurer when D.C. Davis retired in July 1974 still held that position and was voted a salary increase from $11,900 to 13,800 per year plus $100 per month travel allowance.  Council informed Moosomin Veterinary Services that is was in favor of the boards decision to hire a veterinary surgeon and of paying $700 per township to meet his conditions.  The levy of $4,200 was paid.  Borderland Co-op submitted the lowest tender (22 ½ cents per litre) to supply diesel fuel for the season.  It was accepted.  A spring ratepayers supper for the ratepayers was held in the Senior Citizens Hall in Fleming with 108 present.  The ratepayers voted down a tarping bylaw and Agriculture Disrict #5 was advised of this decision.  The mill rate was set at 83 mills and the budget accepted.  Council accepted the tender of L.& R. Asphalt Ltd. of Regina for base stabilization and seal coating the 9.9 km of primary grid road at a price of $40,837.50 providing the proper performance bond was received.  The following resolution was sent to the Hudson Bay Route Association to show support.  “That Hudson Bay Route Association members ask the Government of Canada to end the present policy of reducing grain exports through Churchill and of giving preference to the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway Route.  We also ask that this season’s shipments through Churchill be raised from 250,000 tonnes to 650,000 tonnes and that every future year the minimum annual shipment through the Port be 850,000 tonnes or at least 30 million bushels of grain.”  A letter was sent to the minister in charge of Sask. Power informing him that cuncil was opposed to power line being run within municipal road allowances on the grounds of safety, road construction and road maintenance.  A copy was sent to Larry Birkbeck, M.L.A.  Moose Mountain Trail Home Care Board had been formed and the nurse, homemaker, coordinator outlined the purpose of the board and explained what services it provided.  A zpning bylaw for the R.M. was passed.  The request from Moosomin and District Seniors Group for a grant towards building a Drop In Centre was refused. Moosomin Centennial Committee was voted a grant of $500.  Marathon Realty was asked to control the kochia weed along their right of way through the Town of Moosomin.  In 1981 the premium of $596 insured the equipment: John Deere tractor and loader $15,000; D6C Crawler tractor $17,000; Champion D600 Grader $35,000; Caterpillar 140G Motor Grader $130,000; tools and equipment $15,000; Woods Rotary Mower $2,500.  Council passed a motion that the Lands Branch of Sask. Agriculture be advised that the land owned by the Lands Branch should not be sold to private individuals but should continue to be leased to individuals as grazing land thereby ensuring the preservation of habitat for animals and recreation areas for residents of the areas.  A letter was sent to the Dept. of Tourism and Renewable Resources requesting that weekly samples be taken during the winter months of the water in Moosomin Lake to monitor the levels of oxygen and hydrogen sulphide and that the results of the testing be forwarded monthly to the municipality.  The Agriculture Committee did not meet once during the year.

There were two changes made in the remuneration schedule namely: supervision was raised by 50 cents to $5 per hour and mileage was raised by 5 cents to 30 cents per mile.  Grader operators’ wages were raised to $10 per hour with a guaranteed monthly minimum of $850.  The salary of the Secretary-Treasurer was raised from $13,800 to $15,750 with the usual $100 per month travel allowance.  The council agreed with Saskatchewan Wild Life Federation that over harvest and night hunting should be stopped.  The supported the National Farmers Union as they worked to keep the Crow Rate for transporting grain by rail to terminals.  Council pledged $500 to be paid towards purchase of the 1st edition of Moosomin History Book, ”Moosomin, Century One Town and Country”.  A resolution that natural gas be made available to farms and rural areas of Saskatchewan was sent to Sask. Association of Rural Municipalities.  The minutes of the Council meetings were to be sent to the World Spectator regularly.  Council gave Stanley School District permission to erect a cairn where the schools had been.  A bylaw was passed to provide for a financial contribution to Moosomin and District Regional Park for a capital development plan.  The amoutn was $14,000 to be paid over 5 years.  A John Deere 3130 tractor was purchased for $31,000 less trade in of $13,000 allowed on John Deere 2130 leaving cash paid of $18,000.  Angus Turpie and John Moffatt was appointed to a road committee.  Their responsibilities were to restrict the operation of tractors and certain vehicles on municipal roads.  124 persons attended the ratepayers spring supper meeting held in the Moosomin Legion Hall on April 20.  The reeve announced a 7 mill increase, from 83 to 90 mills for municipal purposes.  A general reassessment was conducted by the Sask. Assessment Authority.  Council voted a grant of $500 to the Rat Eradication Program.  Minell Pipelines Ltd. was granted permission to locate an automatic odourant station on NE 35-14-31 providing it was located a minimum of 100 feet back from the center of the road allowance.  Also in 1982 the municipality entered the world of technology by purchasing a computer terminal jointly with Martin R.M.  It was hooked up through the telephone system with the computer at Paragon Computers in Moosomin.  The minister of Social Services was made aware of the need to expand and upgrade the facilities at the Nursing Home and Hostel.  Council asked the Dept. of Highways and Transportation to take the Moosomin-Kipling road into the Provincial Highway system.  Council filed tax liens against all land in arrears of taxes and collected from the tenant on rented land under section 344 of the Rural Municipalities Act.  The Champion D600 motor grader was traded to Kramer Tractor for a new Caterpillar 140G motor grader equipped with a snow plough and wing; used air conditioner (installed) four Michelin Radial tires and a 16 foot moldboard.  The cost was $141,000 plus trade in.  Council opposed the plan of Saskatchewan Department of Highways and Transportation to locate a weigh scale between Moosomin and the Manitoba border north of the proposed west-bound lane of the future divided highway rather than between the highways.  The property of the municipality was insured: Municipal building $80,000; Workshop $45,000; Shop Equipment $5000; Municipal wells $2000 each.  The agriculture committee did not meet in 1982.

1983:     There was no change in personnel on the council to start 1983.  Reeve Sinclair Harrison, councillors Clarence Frape, Vincent Dobson, Donald Birkbeck, Arthur Roy, Angus Turpie and John Moffatt held the reins of Municipal Government.  They were ably assisted by Secretary-

Treasurer Kenneth Engel.  Renumeration was raised and set at $30 per meeting, councillor supervision at $5 per hour, attendance at conventions $30 day plus expenses and mileage was 30 cents per mile.  Rental rates for graders and crawler tractor equipment were $40 per hour.  A minimum charge of $10 was set for clearing or grading lanes.  The salary of the Secretary-Treasurer was raised from $15,750 to $16,936 a year with $100 per month travel allowance.  Melvin and Lawrence McGonigal were still the grader operations.  Their wages were set at $10 per hour with a guarantee of $850 per month.  Reeve and Sec.Treas. were given the authority to borrow $150,000 per month from the Royal Bank to meet current expenditures.  Rental rates in the Municipal Building were; Dr. H.S. Jamieson, dental office $225 per month; Miss J. Tripp living quarters $95 per month and Veterinary Clinic $95.  $141,000 of the 150,000 trust fund was allocated for the purchase of a new grader.  Each division was allowed 2000 cubic yards of gravel for road maintenance.  The assessment was $2,876,100.  The annual spring ratepayers supper meeting was held in Welwyn Community Hall with 150 in attendance.  Farmers present indicated that they would use chemical container disposal sites if they were provided.  A resolution was passed asking that education taxes be charged to income tax not to property tax as at present.  R.M. Councils of Moosomin and Martin joined in accepting the tender of Heidinger Construction of Wilmar for seal coating the Moosomin Regional Park road.  The mill rate was set at 43 mills.  A new fire protection agreement was signed between Moosomin R.M. #121 and Rocanville R.M. #151 providing fire protection in both municipalities.  A gold watch was presented to Melvin

McGonigal in appreciation of his 25 years of service to the R.M. of Moosomin.  Council entered into an agreement with the village of Welwyn for fire protection within Moosomin R.M. since the village had recently purchased a fire engine at a cost of $36,000.  Councillor Art Roy resigned.   Kenneth Mannle was elected unanimously to replace him as councillor for Division 4.  Reeve Harrison was the R.M. representative on the Moosomin Union Hospital Board.  The salary of the janitor of the Municipal Building was raised from $125 to $137.50 per month.  A donation of $500 was made to Welwyn History Book Committee.  Reeve and councillors had perfect attendance during the year until one councillor missed the December meeting.  This appears to be a record for attendance.

1984:     John Moffatt was appointed Deputy Reeve.  Sec. Treas. salary increased from $16,936 to $17,480 plus $100 per month travel expense.  R.M. purchased land from John Rushton for the gravel it contained for $7,500.  Council pledged support of the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefts’ efforts to have the Proinvidal Government increase funding to the Fire Commissions Office to facilitate upgrading the training program for Volunteer Fire Depts.  The old office safe was traded to Moosomin Tire Center for a $100 allowance on a 10,000 BTU air conditioner.  The 1983 assessment was $6,265,950 and mill rate was set at 44 mills.  Department of Parks and Revewable Resources was informed that this R.M. wishes to prohibit hound hunting of coyotes and foexes within its boundaries.  Council decided that since a veterinary clinic would be beneficial to the community they would abate the taxes on the clinic for 5 years then review the