By ROY WOOD

Despite warnings from its chief financial officer, Oliver council on Monday agreed to spend up to $2,000 to mitigate damage to an orchard caused by a ruptured water line.

Operations director Shawn Goodsell told council that a rupture of the town-operated irrigation line occurred last Monday, flooding an orchard at the end of Chokecherry Street with water and sand.

The owner has asked the town to help clear the accumulated material so that he can get into his orchard.

Several members of council agreed that since it was the town’s water system that ruptured and caused the damage, the town should repair the damage.

Water Councillor Andre Miller said, “It seems strange to me that we wouldn’t repair the damage to his orchard. ”

Water Councillor Rick Machial agreed: “(The orchardist) would probably be happy to have some of the sand spread. …It’s our pipe that caused the damage. I don’t think we can leave him high and dry.”

Chief administrative officer Cathy Cowan told council that under its charter the town couldn’t be held liable for damage caused by such accidents.

Despite the legal escape hatch, Councillor Petra Veintimilla said, “It just feels totally wrong that when it’s our fault that we just wash our hands of it.”

Machial proposed a motion that the town contribute up to $2,000 to the cost of restoring the orchard.

“We should make a decision (quickly) because the guy can’t even go in and spray,” said Machial. “There are two to two and a half feet of sand in some spots.”

Chief financial officer David Svetlichny said that in a similar situation about two years ago council refused to help. He warned that providing aid this time around would set a precedent and could result in the victim from the last episode coming back to seek damages.

“I find it hard to swallow that we would cause the damage and not do anything,” said Veintimilla.
The rest of council apparently agreed. The motion passed unanimously.