In the new year, officials with the R.M. of Morris hope to build on the successes of 2020.

Despite the limitations brought on by the pandemic, the municipality was able to boast good economic growth this past year in both residential and commercial development. As a result, Council hopes to move forward with a series of infrastructure projects in order to accommodate that growth.

"We hope to be able to continue the Rosenort water infrastructure project," said Reeve Ralph Groening. "We have also applied for Investing in Canada money that would allow us to expand the lagoon in Rosenort."

As well, Groening hopes to move forward with a wastewater management project for Aubigny and the properties along Highway 246 that he says has been in the works for 10-15 years.

"We think there's great potential there, so we've initiated a plan and we've hired a firm to identify what would be the options available there so we expect that to be ready by springtime," he explained. "We'll take a look and see if we can improve the way in which we manage and offer services for those in that community."

Meantime, Groening says the municipality will further establish an Urban Works Committee.

"This would be a dedicated team with a dedicated plan that would improve, increase and identify ways in which we can adapt and improve the quality of life in our urban centres of Rosenort, Aubigny, Lowe Farm and Sperling. Details will be rolled out soon."

Those efforts already got off to an early start this fall when members of Council, administration and the municipal public works team planted about 500 trees on the old Rosenort dike.