HINTON, Alberta — Months of collaborative discussions have resulted in a new strategic partnership between the Town of Hinton and the company that recently completed its purchase of the Hinton pulp mill from West Fraser. Completion of the sale to Mondi took place on Feb. 3. The long-term partnership focuses on the future of the treatment and distribution of the town’s utility systems. Chief administrative officer Jordan Panasiuk explained that the town operates its water treatment plant located on the mill’s property. This means that the mill itself owns a piece of the process. “There was a direction to move towards our own water treatment plant standalone in 2007. We have not done that so far.” Now it has made a 20-year agreement to continue with Mondi, giving the town time to make that move. …Mondi intends to invest in the mill to improve its productivity and sustainability performance.