Blackflads Mayor Melodie Stol says 2016 continued to be a year of growth for the town despite the economic climate in the province.

Some major projects were completed this year including the opening of Iron Ridge Intermediate Campus for grades 4 and 6, the opening of its off leash dog park and the moving of the Wadey House which will be finished next year as a new Visitor Information Centre.

Stol adds green initiatives were also important for the town with the addition of solar panels to the Civic Centre, the Multiplex and Abbey Centre and switching the street lights to LED, and those green priorities will continue in 2017 "the provincial government has indicated that green initiatives are a priority for them so it pays off when a community like ours aligns itself with the provincial priorities, and of course it will be better for tax payers, anytime we can lower a heat bill, lower a power bill, anything we can do to maintain or lower those costs is a positive".

Stol adds the budget was another sucess which only saw a 0.7% tax increase and Council didn't have to make too many sacrifices with service levels or long term planning.

The biggest concern from ratepayers the Mayor says has been the increase in property crimes "I know our RCMP in their performance plan have identified it as a priority and they are working with other area detachments and Police forces and the Priority Crimes Task Force which has done tremendous work.  They've busted a few chop shops and some larger organized criminal enterprises and that has made a big differance".