Town Of Lashburn

08/27/2026

08/13/2026

Mayor’s July Update
With weather that reminds me of years gone by — warm, sunny days with just the right amount of moisture — July has now moved into the rearview mirror.
Council held only one meeting this month due to staff vacations, but we continued to keep operations on track. Regular maintenance moved ahead as planned: grass was cut, potholes were filled, and ditches were cleared of debris in preparation for fall. Being shorthanded did slow progress on our dustcontrol projects included in the capital budget, but these will be completed before freezeup. We have a plan in place and will carry it out as staffing levels return to normal.
The silver lining in this staffing shortage has been the opportunity to clearly identify the vulnerabilities our town faces when personnel are limited. In response, we have secured capable contractors who will ensure we remain compliant with water and wastewater regulations, and we have sourced reliable operators for essential equipment.
We are also developing standardized operating practices that can be followed by anyone going forward, and we have plans to GPS map all of our infrastructure valving to strengthen our database and improve longterm reliability.
These steps will help ensure continuity of service and give our ratepayers confidence that municipal operations will not suffer should we find ourselves shorthanded in the future.
A topic that often comes up in conversation around town — the “buzz on the street,” so to speak — is nuisance and derelict properties. Residents frequently ask what council is doing to address these issues.
When a property’s condition falls below established maintenance standards, council must follow a legal process. We cannot simply enter private property without permission — either from the owner or through the courts — to clean up, cut grass, or make repairs. These protocols exist for a reason, and they take time to work through.
I fully understand the frustration of living beside, or driving past, a property that has become an eyesore. Council shares that concern. We want a clean, vibrant, and welcoming community that reflects the pride residents have in our town and leaves a positive impression on everyone who passes through. I assure you: we are actively working through the required process, and it is a process.
Another topic raised frequently is the condition of our streets and roads — a concern I share deeply.
Resurfacing the streets themselves is the easy part. Cold mix resurfacing is reasonably priced, performs adequately, and is fairly durable. However, the real challenge — the “fly in the ointment,” so to speak — lies beneath the surface.
Much of our road base contains organic material sitting on a wet foundation. This leads to frost boils, shifting, and instability. Beneath that base is essential infrastructure: potable water lines, wastewater piping, and communication cables. Resurfacing without addressing aging infrastructure would be a short term fix and ultimately a futile effort.
With coldmix surfaces, potholes are an unavoidable reality. The longterm solution is upgrading the underlying infrastructure. Planning for this work is underway and forms a key part of the five year capital plan council has been discussing.
Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work through summer maintenance, staffing challenges, and the longterm planning that keeps our town moving forward. Council remains committed to doing things the right way — following proper processes, strengthening our infrastructure, and building reliable systems that will serve our community well into the future. Enjoy the rest of the summer, and take care.
Jim Krissa
Mayor

07/21/2026

Moved by Hopfner, Seconded by Rempel, that the Town of Lashburn recognize CN Rail Safety week, September 21 - 26, 2026 and members of the public be encouraged to be safe and aware when near the railway right of way.

07/10/2026

Town Maintenance Update

Our residents deserve an honest update.

Several capital projects have not progressed as planned this season because the Town has been operating with ongoing staffing shortages in our maintenance department. The result is that we simply have not had the workforce necessary to keep up with both day-to-day operations and the projects that Council committed to completing.

Council is not satisfied with where we are. We understand that when projects are approved and communicated to residents, there is an expectation that they will be completed. We share that expectation, and we recognize that our community deserves better.

With Saskatchewan’s construction season being so short, we can no longer afford to wait and hope circumstances improve. As a result, Council will direct Administration to move forward with hiring contractors where necessary to complete the work. While this is not the approach we wanted to take, it is the approach we believe is necessary to deliver on our commitments.

We apologize for the delays and thank residents for their continued patience. Our focus now is on getting these projects completed, making the best use of the construction season we have left, and ensuring that the commitments made to our community are fulfilled.

06/29/2026

May–June Update
The days are already starting to get shorter, and with July upon us, it’s a good moment to pause and take stock of the last couple of months. I missed getting a May update out on time. I won’t make excuses — I was tied up with another project and simply missed the window. I apologize for that.
With that said, here’s a clear summary of what’s been happening across May and June and where we’re headed next.
Traffic Safety
With children now out of school and spending more time outdoors, I want to remind drivers to stay alert. Kids can appear suddenly on the street — chasing a ball, riding a bike, or scooting out of a driveway. Please take a little extra time driving through town while they enjoy their summer break.
Rain and Moisture
We’ve received a significant amount of moisture this spring. I’m always amazed at how showers and thunderstorms seem to miss Lashburn, but this year we’re finally getting our fair share.
With the increased groundwater, there’s a higher chance of water finding its way into basements. It’s a good idea to make sure your downspouts and eavestroughs are directing water away from your foundation. And if you have a sump pump, doublecheck that it’s operating properly.
Parks, Boulevards, and Ball Diamonds
Many of you have noticed that the parks, ball diamonds, and boulevard grass areas have become overgrown. The combination of heavy rain and very few dry windows to mow has made it difficult to stay ahead of the growth.
We are working to get on top of it. With our summer student program now underway, we’ve added capacity dedicated specifically to mowing and trimming all Town properties. Thank you for your patience as we catch up.
Potholes
Potholes are another concern, and some have become deep enough to be noticed immediately. Excessive moisture is the main culprit. When water sits in a pothole and vehicles drive through it, the damage compounds quickly — everyone understands how that works.
Potholes will be addressed as soon as conditions allow. We appreciate your understanding while we work through the backlog created by the wet spring.
RCMP Updates
Town Council receives monthly summaries from the RCMP. We continue to be spared many of the more serious incidents seen elsewhere, but I encourage everyone to remain vigilant. If you see suspicious activity, please report it to the appropriate authorities.
Lashburn Day 2026
Lashburn Day is now behind us for another year, and we were fortunate to enjoy excellent weather and a strong turnout. It’s always a pleasure to visit with friends and neighbours in the sunshine and see our community come together.
A special thankyou goes to Carman Landstrom, who once again did an outstanding job organizing and coordinating the event. Her commitment and energy make Lashburn Day the success it is.
On behalf of the Town of Lashburn, I want to thank all the volunteers, participants, and supporters who contributed their time and effort. Community events only happen because people step forward, and we appreciate every one of you.
Council and Administration
What has Council been working on over the past couple of months? Our focus has been on prioritizing capital projects — particularly street repairs and the drainage issues in the north part of 1st Street. Water pooling in these areas is the direct result of not having a storm sewer system. Small towns rarely have that luxury. Nevertheless, the pooling water must be addressed, and it will be addressed. This remains a priority project.
On the recreation side, Brent Wilson has been working tirelessly to bring the various ball organizations together into a cohesive group. His efforts will allow the Town to receive a coordinated schedule, which in turn will help us better plan maintenance for the ball diamonds and their grounds. This kind of organization makes a real difference, and we appreciate the work being done by everyone behind the scenes.
Regional Collaboration
Council and Administration have also been in discussions with the RM about several potential joint projects. We’re exploring areas where working together could improve services, reduce costs, or create longterm benefits for both the Town and the surrounding area. These conversations are ongoing, and if the projects prove viable, they would be positive steps forward for our whole region.
In Closing,
As we move into July, I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we work through the challenges that come with a wet spring. Our community continues to show resilience, cooperation, and pride in the place we call home. Council and Administration remain committed to addressing the issues in front of us and planning responsibly for the months ahead.
Thank you,
Jim Krissa, Mayor

06/26/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 grad class from Lashburn High School from the Town of Lashburn. Good luck on all your future endeavours!

06/14/2026

What an amazing day! Way to go everyone! Thank you for all the things! From volunteering to participating and supporting this event means the world! Let’s make it bigger and better next year! Feel free to msg me or send an email to [email protected] with any feedback/how you want to help.

Thank you to everyone who last minute helped/supported the food bank today! Every donation was delivered and we were able to raise $335 for them as well with our raffle! Congratulations to Val Jezowski for the win!