Blackville developing rural plan
It’s a village with a stable population base and development largely in the form of single family homes. These are some of the initial findings of a rural plan for Blackville.
The planning advisory committee has discussed population growth, size and age distribution as it forms a plan for the future. It’s also reviewed residential, commercial and industrial conditions, village council was told.
Kurt Marks, village clerk, explained that a rural plan is a guide to the orderly and long-term economic growth of a village.
Council was told that single family residential areas comprise the majority of the developed land in the village. Most of this development is on small lots which are connected to the sewage system.
A demographic analyst showed that the population of Blackville has remained relatively steady for the past 20 years.
“Blackville is characterized by a relatively well balanced population in terms of its age structure, a balance which results in a demand for a wide range of services and facilities,” Marks said.
In other village council business, new reserve fund regulations came into effect on Jan. 1.
Council learned that the Department of Municipalities, Culture and Housing has not yet adopted the format to transfer existing funds to new reserves.
Some of the changes resulting from the new regulations:
- The general operating reserve fund will be used for the payment of operating expenses but the amount allowed will not exceed five per cent of the total expenditure of the previous year’s budget.
- The general capital reserve fund will be used for capital expenses only and will include the sale of capital assets.
- The amount allowed for the service or utility reserve fund will be used for the payment of capital expenses only.
In other business, council fielded a number of complaints regarding snow removal in the village.
Mayor Glen Hollowood said the village contract for snowplowing does not include snow removal but he promised to look into having snow removed from streets.