As more residents move back into their Braeburn Estates homes after flooding drove them out April 26, the issue of liability for the destruction it caused has surfaced.
The Town of Olds was notified by a lawyer for Braeburn Estates owners RVB Property Management that it has been put on notice for a possible lawsuit.
“What I assume it means, is that if they go to the owner of Miller Meadows and get nowhere, they're going to come after us,” said Olds CAO Norm McInnis.
The municipality incurred costs as well from the flooding and actions it took to secure the safety of property and residents afterwards and has applied to a disaster recovery program afforded through the Alberta government.
The town's application seeks reimbursement for the $9,000 it spent on helping out victims of the flooding.
A meeting between the town and provincial government representatives was due to take place today. The town will be following up with both the residents and the developer following the meeting.
As of the middle of last week, 12 of the 30 units had been cleaned and were ready for residents to move back into them.
Public health officials were to sign off on each of them, ensuring minimum housing and safety standards were met.
Mayor Judy Dahl said she was pleased with the way the town responded to the disaster.
“I see the community has extended their arms now … so they've done a good job. I'm really happy with the way that turned out,” she said of the response following the disaster.
Braeburn residents, as well as the property owner, can apply to the same disaster relief program the Town of Olds has, for reimbursement, said McInnis.
- With files from Paul Frey
