Town of Carman Mayor Brent Owen says 2019 was a building year as many major community projects broke ground and saw millions in raised funds.

"The 110 bed 'Boyne Care' Personal Care Home project got started. Phase 1 is currently underway, with completion of phases 1 and 2 by spring of 2021."

He notes that many locals were provided with the option of fibre internet, television, and phone. The fibre infrastructure will continue to be built into 2020 to allow everyone access to these high speed services.

The Boyne Regional Library expansion project also kicked off this year. They plan to be in their new space in January and Owen congratulates them on their work over the past three years to raise $1 million.

"Another group, Carman Minor Ball, took a swing on getting there new Community Ball Diamonds Building Project started. Money was raised and a substantial amount of work has been completed. The land has been leveled, drainage has been mapped out, and drain tile installed. They will continue on in the spring."

A new Handi-Van arrived in late November which will greatly benefit those in the community with mobility struggles or those with no transportation method.

He says, "other enhancements to the community included the revamping of the school speed zones. Some tweaking was done to satisfy the wishes of our residents. The Carman Community Garden continued their success in their second year with 37 plots planted."

Looking ahead to the new year, Owen says council has been working on a five year strategic plan since spring which will "help guide decision making into the new decade . . . [and] with preliminary budget talks underway, I, along with council look forward to another busy year in 2020."