The Village of Carbon Council is looking at the new year as an opportunity to go forward improving the infrastructure in the community.
Mayor Bryan Peever took a moment to catch up with the Mail on the accomplishments of the village through a difficult 2021 and what it is looking forward to in the new year.
Like most communities, there was a change at election time. In Carbon Peever, Renee O’Brien, and Michelle Lomond were reelected, and Trina Anderson and Brian McHugh were newly elected.
He said one meaningful task they took on last year was its infrastructure review. Peever explains they have been working on it for a couple of years.
“What we have found is the village was neglected for a number of years, and now we are in the position of trying to get it back up to scratch,” he explains.
The infrastructure review they undertook helped to identify areas that need attention. It highlighted several areas the village needs to work on.
“Our engineers came up with a 5, 10, 15, and 20-year plan, and all the things we have to do immediately and things we can work on and try to get everything straightened out,” he said.
He says with work that is needed they are looking at a loan bylaw to finance the work.
He explains the village is in good financial shape. It had taken out a loan for the Diamond Subdivision more than a decade ago and says in about two years, it will be debt-free.
“Right now, the rates are startlingly low as there are a lot of people out here looking for jobs, so it is quite competitive out there,” he said.
“Taxes aren’t going up because of it, there is really going to be zero impact except we are going to start fixing stuff.”
The village was able to secure some grant funding to help deal with COVID-19 and was able to make changes at the pool to make sure it remained open. They also completed upgrades to the campground to make it touchless, as well as other upgrades to municipal assets.
Another success in 2021 was the council’s push to sell the Diamond Subdivision. Peever said all the lots are now sold, and they are seeing shovels in the ground. The subdivision also has a garden plot, where residents can plant vegetables, as well as a playground. The walking path has also been extended to the area.
Another addition was the disc golf course added to the Lions Park. Peever says they have seen locals and visitors making great use of the course.
Last year the village helped to update downtown by buying up the derelict Royal City Restaurant on Caradoc Ave.
“It hadn’t been occupied for at least three or four years. Nobody was going to buy it, and it was going to sit there until it fell down…so we bought it,” said Peever. “That was last year’s budget. This year’s budget, we are looking at tearing it down. That will open three lots.
“If we get fair market value for the lots, we’ll actually make money.”
He is optimistic about the coming year.
“The future is bright for Carbon. We have lots of plans and lots of ideas. We are continually improving, making it cleaner and prettier, making it better for residents and children.”
