While groundwork for the merger had been laid over time, the challenges they face exceed expectations, according to the mayor.
Nevertheless, the mayor stresses that the positive atmosphere in the municipal council remained intact. He assured that there was no animosity between him and First Alderwoman Christiane Thommes-Bach, former mayor of Wahl. The two leaders committed to working closely and collaboratively.
Engel stressed the enormity of the task at hand, stating, “It really is a Herculean task. You don’t always realise what’s coming up; the devil is in the details. Much needs to be harmonised. We’ve settled into a rhythm with monthly council meetings, focusing on fine-tuning various aspects. We had already aligned regulations in preparation, particularly for water and sewage.”
Mayor Engel noted that each municipality brought with it a history of 175 years, adding depth to the merger process. Looking ahead, infrastructure improvements are a priority, particularly in the renewal of the sewer network. The two most prominent ongoing or impending projects are the construction of a new town hall in Grosbous and the expansion of the local school.
Engel detailed, “Currently, we are in the midst of constructing the town hall. Archaeologists are still clearing the site, and interior testing is underway, so progress is being made. We are also planning the expansion of the Grosbous school, as space is becoming limited. A class from Grosbous already had to temporarily relocate to Grevels due to space constraints.”
Despite the merger, the mayor stressed that the municipality remains relatively small and must adhere to financial constraints. Engel emphasised the importance of ensuring that the merger becomes ingrained in the community’s awareness. To achieve this, a merger committee, comprising local citizens and independent of political affiliations, has been established.
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