The Reeve of Hanover says he is hopeful that sometime in 2017, the issue will be resolved for how to provide good drinking water for Kleefeld.

Stan Toews explains the plan was for a regional pipeline to provide drinking water from Grunthal to Kleefeld. However, while in the tender process, it was determined ground conditions would result in major cost overruns. Toews says they then decided to drill a test well in Kleefeld. However, that test showed barium in the water, the same problem as what currently exists in that community. Further investigation by the Water Services Board to locate more suitable and closer proximity wells near Kleefeld is ongoing. Once a new source has been located with the necessary water quality, a new project scope will be developed for the 2017 construction season.

Also in 2016, Toews says the municipality completed the installation on a new lift station and force main for Blumenort. The project was completed at a cost of $1.05 million, which was well below the estimated cost of $1.45 million. The lift station is expected to go into operation in spring of 2017. Toews says it should kick start additional housing development in that community.

Meanwhile, Toews says 2016 was a bad year for roads in the municipality.

"Frost boils, soft spots, wet, mucky," describes Toews. "And so we had to spend a lot of time trying to get them back into shape all summer."

One road that needed to be rebuilt this year was Road 35N (McKenzie Avenue), from Road 31E to Road 32E, south of Mitchell. Shortly after crews began work, they realized very poor sub soil conditions underneath. In fact, the road was built overtop a bog back in the day and as a result, the soil needed to be removed from the roadbed. Hanover originally budgeted $325,000 for the work. Fast Brothers Incorporated was the lowest bid at $334,000. The final cost is approximately $471,000.

2016 also saw the municipality implement its Recreation Master Plan. This work includes a Feasibility Plan for Mitchell Arena, Grunthal Arena and Blumenort Community Centre. The work was done by Stantec, the Hanover Manager of Recreation and the three community centre boards.

Also in 2016, Council approved plans for a fourth fire hall to be built in the municipality, upgrades were done to the Kleefeld Recreation Centre, a natural playground was built in Mitchell and Hanover implemented a Pre-Authorized Payment System. By year end, 65 customers had signed up, accounting for 1.5% of taxpayers, bringing in about $15,000 per month in taxes.

And finally, there were 38 compost depots held in five communities in 2016, diverting 40 tonnes of waste from the landfill.

Read More:

Hanover Considers Cheaper Option For Kleefeld Water Upgrades

Blumenort Tender Comes In Under Budget

McKenzie Upgrade Way Over Budget

Hanover Plans For Fire Hall In Blumenort

Kleefeld Rec Centre Upgrades Complete

Not Your Typical Playground

Compost Depots Net Promising Results