For the RM of Stuartburn, 2018 was marked by improvements.

CAO Lucie Maynard says many of these improvements came in the form of two separate grants, one which allowed them to upgrade their lagoon, and the other, to create an accessibility website.

“An accessibility website allows certain fonts and color schemes that help people with different reading and vision issues,” explains Maynard, “because you have to have a certain font in order for a computer to be able to read back to you.” The municipality feels it is a priority that everyone, regardless of their disability, should have comprehensive access to their resources. The accessibility website is a step in that direction.

Another major change in the municipality was the announcement of three new cell towers slated to be built in the area.

“This was a very welcomed announcement,” comments Maynard, who says the municipality has just begun receiving sketches and basic plans as to where these towers will eventually be erected. “I want to make sure that the work the former reeves of Stuartburn, and the current reeve of Piney have done to get us here does not go unnoticed.”

Eleven Amish families moved to Vita in 2018According to Maynard, 2018 also saw an increase in residential permits. 31 new homes were built in the municipality since last January as opposed to only 25 the previous year. Maynard indicates that this is at least partially due to some new neighbors in the area.

“I’m thinking a lot of the new homes were from the Amish,” notes Maynard. “A big talk of the town was that we had eleven Amish families settle in the area with three more now confirmed to come in 2019.”

On the other hand, Maynard concedes that development permits are down. However, with the significant progress in many other areas, the RM still considers the year a success.