For the next four years, the Town of Carrot River has a plan.
Council approved the town’s first-ever strategic plan at its meeting Feb. 15. Bob Gagné, Carrot River’s mayor, said he believes the plan is a great idea.
 “We felt that the time had finally come where we had to get something in place that we could work with and our staff could work with.”
The mayor gave what he thought was the highlight of the plan.
“I think it’s just to show that council has a vision for the town and are working really hard at promoting the town and also making life a lot easier for our residents,” he said. “It shows that we are organized.”
Some goals in the plan include revising the tax system in a manner that reduces the gap between the lowest and highest taxpayers, have the type of relationship with the RM of Moose Range where the RM is an integral part in the planning and usage of community facilities, getting the capital plan done earlier – in December instead of April, develop a citizen complaint form, expand recreation to include non-sport activities, look at transportation to Pasquia Park for citizens during the summer, plan for a water treatment plant, plan for a new subdivision, promote new businesses in town, support a new school and acquire the elementary school – if the new one is built – for municipal use.
Gagné emphasized the plan is a way to focus the direction the town is moving rather than something that is followed exactly.
“It doesn’t mean it will be followed to the letter and so it’s a living document. It can be changed or amended any time. It’s not set in stone.”
Kevin Trew, the town’s administrator, said the strategic plan will be followed like the town’s five-year capital plans.
“There are things that get pushed back on that capital plan, there are things that get pushed forward on that capital plan and there are things that weren’t even identified that get done in the next year because of change, because of needs, because of service expectations.”
