The ballots have been cast and the signs torn down; now Highlands is figuring out whatB次元官网网址檚 next for their nearly all-new mayor and council.

B次元官网网址淥ur inaugural meeting is coming up and once everyone is sworn in, weB次元官网网址檙e going to try and establish our strategic priorities,B次元官网网址� said Mayor Ken Williams, who  moved into the seat after three terms on council when Jane Mendum stepped down.

Continuing with groundwater protection initiatives and moving into public education is high on the list, as is furthering the discussion on secondary housing.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a biggie. ItB次元官网网址檚 very important to throw that into the mix,B次元官网网址� Williams said.

Longtime councillor and former mayor Karel Roessingh agreed.

B次元官网网址淭here are positives and negatives for sure (around secondary suites),B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭here are water issues and traffic issues and safety is really top of mind.B次元官网网址�

Roessingh said council likely wonB次元官网网址檛 be out in the community policing secondary suites, but they do need to ensure suites are safe. B次元官网网址淕enerally we know thereB次元官网网址檚 lots of (suites). For fire safety, we really should make sure theyB次元官网网址檙e safe.B次元官网网址�

Every lot in Highlands is currently zoned as a single family residence, but thereB次元官网网址檚 a chance that could be changing.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e done some work, but itB次元官网网址檚 been quite a while,B次元官网网址� Roessingh said. B次元官网网址淐ouncil has had other things to tackle, and now other municipalities are coming up with plans and policies on secondary housing, so that will be a good guide for us as well.B次元官网网址�

Williams will be looking for members for three newly established select committees: heritage, social sustainability and sustainable land use.

Then there are finishing touches to put on the East Fire Hall and the Highlands Community Hall, and the relationship with the developers at Bear Mountain to further explore.

B次元官网网址淭here may be some new development there,B次元官网网址� Williams said. B次元官网网址淏ut it will depend on what the community wants to hear and see.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking to see how the new owners want to treat the property,B次元官网网址� added Roessingh. B次元官网网址淎nd there will have to be a balance between how much water they use. Their own water supply is very good, but we have to make sure their neighbours are safe.B次元官网网址�

With Williams moving into the mayorB次元官网网址檚 chair, Highlands council has four new faces coming to the table for the upcoming term.

Leslie Anderson, Ann Baird, Karen Burns and Gord Baird are all newcomers to their elected seats, and join incumbents Roessingh and Marcie McLean in plotting out the future of Highlands for the next four years.

B次元官网网址淚 think we have a tremendous amount of talent,B次元官网网址� said the new mayor. For his part, Williams is excited to be stepping into the new role.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a listening role where we move together. IB次元官网网址檝e been sitting on council for nine years, so I think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be really interesting sitting in a different chair.B次元官网网址�

acowan@goldstreamgazette.com