Fruitvale has expanded its boundaries to include the first property on Old Salmo Road, which used to be part of electoral Area A.
Homeowner Nick Romanchuk, known to the community as an inspector with the RCMP, was originally part of a larger boundary expansion proposal that was rejected years ago due to some of the other properties that were reviewed.
Upon revisiting his now separate request, the village received approval to include his property inside itsborders.
“This one is currently already on water and sewer so it has no further impact on the village whatsoever, frankly, as far as services go,” explained village administrator Lila Cresswell. “Where as for other properties, we have to have a look and determine whether there is an advantage to the taxpayers as part of our duty.”
Prior to Romanchuk’s property, the last request from a homeowner looking to be included in the village came from a resident on Mill Road. This proposal was discarded because the potential cost of servicing was greater than the tax benefit to the existing Fruitvale taxpayers.
explained Cresswell.
“The sewer of the village is our concern, we are at capacity, which is why we are part of the liquid management plan of the regional district being done right now,” she said.
The village’s borders can be confusing; with some property owners excluded while their neighbours across the street are considered Fruitvale residents.
“It’s also confusing in that the water system is the regional district’s and the village runs it,” Cresswell agreed. “And some people that actually live in the village are on that water system and some are on Beaver Falls.”