Drainage superintendent appointed

MINTO – Ryan Binkle has been appointed municipal drainage superintendent for the Town of Minto.

Town council appointed Binkle, currently a development technician with Minto’s public works department, to the position at the Dec. 19 meeting.

A staff report notes Binkle recently obtained the necessary training and experience for the drainage superintendent position.

Roads and drainage manager Mike McIsaac explained that Dietrich Engineering Ltd. has provided the services associated with the position for the town since 2011.

“Certain duties associated with this position are 50% granted through OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), so we have the opportunity of recouping some of the expenses back, having it back in-house again,” said McIsaac.

Duties

Duties of the drainage superintendent include reviewing drainage applications, reports and petitions; directing the tendering process; providing recommendations to council; and coordinating with government agencies, engineers, contractors and ratepayers.

The superintendent also supervises maintenance and repair of municipal drains.

“Having a staff member communicating and coordinating drainage activities within the agricultural community will provide a high level of service and response working closely with the landowners and contractors at the local level,” the staff report states.

‘More accessible’

“Having Ryan here, instead of having somebody come in from an hour away, it’s just more accessible,” McIsaac pointed out.

Community News Staff