Regional District Okanagan Similkameen staff met with Gallagher Lake residents Monday to hear concerns about work undertaken for a new subdivision north of the community.

About 40 residents from the community, between Okanagan Falls and Oliver on Highway 97, participated in the discussion, which focused on water and sewer lines passing through the community and connecting the Deer Park subdivision to the Senkulmen Business Park, the addition of passing lanes just north of Gallagher Lake and changes to community access points.

“Those attending raised their concerns and we listened,” said public works manager Doug French, adding the regional district’s role in the development was limited to permitting and developing a model that will provide for RDOS stewardship of water and sewer infrastructure once the project is completed.

The Provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the RCMP also participated in the meeting.

The group of residents met previously with RDOS Area C Director Allan Patton, and just last week had an organizational meeting at the Ye Olde Welcome Inn in Gallagher Lake.

Along with the other issues, safety is paramount after a woman died in February while attempting to cross the highway in the small community.

Allan Patton did not attend the Monday meeting – organizers want him and MLA Linda Larson at the next meeting