Millet Mayor Doug Peel is optimistic about the town’s future.
As the calendar flipped to 2024, he said the town has a number of significant projects coming up that will help shape future growth.
For example, a developer was issued a building permit to construct a two-story rental apartment in the town this year.
“This spring, it should start. But we have no idea when it might be finished,” Peel said, adding that a Subway chain restaurant is also coming to town soon.
In late January, the town announced that a development permit had been issued for the restaurant.
According to the town, the project is set to start in early spring, and by early summer the store will be open for customers.
Peel said one big obstacle they face is how much residents want to see the community grow. He worries those attitudes could hinder future development.
“It’s a double-edged sword. Developers need to feel welcomed and want to do their jobs,” he said.
“Everybody wants to see growth and expansion. Everybody wants to see their taxes lowered through a larger tax base. A lot of people say we like to see that, but not next to me.”
On the rising costs of living in the town, he admitted that compared to previous years, the costs have risen.
“For a little town like Millet, it’s tough,” he said.
Peel added that over the last 10 years, the level of provincial grants to municipalities has decreased from five per cent of the province’s budget to only one per cent last year.
Amid the ongoing inflation, such cuts have made it difficult for the town to operate.
“When we apply for grants for plumbing, sewers, there are no grants for us,” he said.
Peel said another challenge the community faces is entertainment for youth. Many youth in Millet say they have to travel to places like Leduc or Edmonton for something to do.
Peel said the town’s residents are trying to raise funds to build a skate park for youths.
“They’ve been doing the fundraising for two years, but unfortunately, they’re not even close to the goal,” he said.
He said in part, a lack of grants was having an impact on the fundraising efforts.
Rising crimes have also worried residents. They say the town has only one bylaw officer. They want a designated police detachment for the town.
But Peel says if they got a detachment it would triple the residents’ taxes.
“For us to bring RCMP here, first of all, the RCMP would not even consider that,” he said.
“Second, it would cost a lot more money.”
For most police services, Millet relies on Wetaskiwin RCMP — at a cost to the town of $19,000 last year.
Peel, however, says that overall, the crime rate is relatively low in the town.
As a precautionary measure to reduce crime in town, he’s suggesting residents avoid posting photos online of their newly bought items.
“I suggest that people stop putting on Facebook when they’re buying something new, like a bike. Stop showing to people that I bought a new … whatever,” he said.
Peel added he’s optimistic about the future of the town and hopes that the community can continue to thrive under difficult circumstances.