Highlands getting seats on water boards

Highlands now has seats on the Capital Regional District Water Commission and the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission, and Mayor Mark Cardinal will be filling both.

The district is not currently serviced by CRD water. However, council made provision several years ago for the Highlands Business Park, on the district’s southern border east of Millstream Road, to be included in the CRD servicing area.

Application to allow servicing of the Bear Mountain development west of Millstream Road has been made, but is not expected to be approved for several months.

The business park is designated for industrial and commercial use. Public water is needed because little potable water is available in the area, due in part to contamination from longstanding industrial operations, and to meet standards for firefighting.

Bylaws passed by the CRD last year approved the addition of Highlands to the water commissions’ service areas.

Last week council chose a representative to attend commission meetings.

When Cardinal said he would be interested in serving as the district’s representative, he was chided by Coun. Ken Brotherston for not waiting until “somebody actually nominates you.”

Brotherston went on to say that he also was interested in being appointed to the commissions, but that since the mayor “has obviously polled council,” he would be glad to act as alternate.

Coun. Jane Mendum said she was also interested in being an alternate. Mendum is currently Cardinal’s alternate on the CRD board.

Brotherston subsequently withdrew in favour of Mendum.

“I’ll pull back my offer just to make sure council keeps getting along as well as we’re getting along,” Brotherston said, adding that it “makes sense” for Mendum to be the alternate.

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