Transportation was top of mind for Rosedale again this month as the Council reviewed items from a new gravel reclaimer to dust control to continued reconstruction of flooded areas through the Disaster Financial Assistance program. As an almost entirely rural municipality with only a couple of small villages, ensuring that the road system is maintained and passable regardless of season is always a priority for the Council.

Also on the agenda was beaver mitigation, a problem that has been plaguing not just Rosedale but the whole area that borders Riding Mountain National Park, where the animals are protected. While beaver dams are a part of the natural watershed, the flooding they cause can also damage important infrastructure. Council agreed that it was only those animals that were causing damage to infrastructure that they needed to address, and have now applied to the Province for a wild animal kill permit to deal with nuisance beavers.

Finally, Rosedale Council is starting to talk about developing a new strategic plan that would lay out the priorities for the municipality moving forward and could allow for more long-term planning, particularly when it comes to assets and infrastructure as well as economic development. Down the line when they go forward with the planning, they will be seeking the public’s input on priorities for the community.

Other business this month included donation requests, mutual aid for sandbagging, water treatment certification, and the need for additional office staff to keep on top of the multitude of municipal projects and time-sensitive applications.