They had been reminded in the management report that “the Board has the responsibility for maintaining an oversight on the level of service concerning the facilities and activities provided by the council in its geographical area and to make submissions to it”.
Board members took the opportunity to quiz and discuss issues with the group manager of infrastructure, Hamish Fentonby.
This year has seen a new policy of having a senior member of the leadership team present at Community Board meetings - this time it was Hamish.
Throughout the meeting, Hamish was able to answer questions on a wide range of issues such as the delay of the public meeting to discuss the town’s water supply, which was put down to the holdup in receiving Geotech reports on the Impounded Supply’s eastern wall.
Board members brought up the need to maintain the Smith-Adelaide Rd walkway, with a spray programme due to start and the need to fix potholes on Queen St and Top Grass Rd.
In October, Tararua Alliance repaired 1075 potholes, up 60 per cent on last year.
Other issues included the need to repair Riverdale Rd undercutting, which was considered low priority, the danger to children outside Totara College due to the confusion over its care crossing, which was referred to the road safety committee, roadside trees cutting visibility, and the state of scenic reserves - a district-wide plan is being developed.
It was a productive meeting, with councillors, staff and board members all gaining a greater understanding of the work of local government.
Dave Murdoch is a part-time photo-journalist working for the Bush Telegraph and based at Dannevirke. He has covered any community story telling good news about the district for the last ten years.
