Wheatland County Year in Review

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

It has been a busy year for Wheatland County, and one that Reeve Glenn Koester considered to be a progressive 12 months because of the direction that big projects were going in.
“It was a good year,” said Koester.
“We had our paving done, we had our roads built. Everything seems to be going along. We got a couple little things, I thought would go faster, but it’s when you’re dealing with approval agencies, I guess it takes times.”
The projects that he thought would move along quicker are the Rosebud Sanitary Sewer (Symbiotic Envirotek), and for Wheatland Utilities and the Lakes of Muirfield to come to an agreement on their sanitary sewer issue.
“I’m thinking we’ll get something in the ground this upcoming year, (it) would be nice for all those residents that’s for sure.” said Koester.
“It would be a big relief, especially if you’re the rate payers that are affected by those two systems. It’s a money thing too. Hopefully their costs can come down and everybody can get on with their lives.”
Koester noted that supporting the Rosebud Symbiotic Envirotek project was something that is new to Wheatland County and according to him is falling into place.
“On one foot council is willing to try some new technologies, but on the other they’re trying to protect the ratepayers too and make sure it’s going to fulfill what it’s set out to fulfill,” said Koester.
Other notable projects included the Hammer Hill road being paved, a Fire Recognition Program was established in 2015 for all fire associations in the county, Roesbud now has a sump dump for RVs, and the rejuvenation of the Gleichen, Carseland and Evantide cemeteries, while work has begun on Rosebud’s.
Looking ahead into 2016, Koester hopes to have more changes in land use bylaws and a faster process to complete them, while hopefully seeing more development on the Carseland sanitary sewage system.
“I don’t know what the developer is going to come up with but the ball is just sitting there bouncing in the middle of the court because they don’t know which way to go,” said Koester.
Additionally, he is hopeful the two-year Duck Lake road project will get paved, which Koester thinks will benefit the people in the eastern area of the county, but they will have to wait for Alberta Environment’s decision.