Fort Simpson (Oct 03/03) - A dilemma that has been dogging Fort Simpson village council the last few years has largely been resolved.

One hundred and nineteen thousand litres of waste oil was pumped out of hundreds of barrels at the village compound last week.

Bernice Swanson, senior administrative officer for the village, said a trucker heard a radio news report about the municipality's bid to dispose of the waste oil.

His empty tanker truck and a few others from his company happened to be on a barge heading south from Norman Wells. The trucker made arrangements to pump out the barrels for $20,000 and take the contents to Edmonton, said Swanson.

She added that the trucks were fully permitted and licensed.

There may still be additional fees and surcharges depending on the content of the waste oil. Other hazardous materials were known to be mixed in some of the barrels. Regardless, Swanson said she's expecting a overall savings of $20,000-$30,000 over previous estimates that council had considered.

Council approved the move at a special meeting on Sept. 22. A tender process to remove the waste oil has subsequently been cancelled.

"The Village does have the power to negotiate contracts," Swanson said.

"It doesn't have to go out to tender."

Councillor Duncan Canvin said it was an opportunity that had to be seized.

"(The price) came in at less than the money we had budgeted over two years (for disposal)," said Canvin. "The odd time you can catch a break but not too often."

Council is now looking into disposing of the empty barrels. Swanson said it was unknown as of Monday whether the barrels could be crushed and placed in the landfill or deposited at a drum storage site off the highway.