Niverville’s town council met briefly for the first time in 2020 on Tuesday, January 6. Councillors Chris Wiebe, John Funk, Kevin Stott, and Nathan Dueck were all in attendance, along with Mayor Myron Dyck and CAO Eric King.

“With Christmas holidays and it being the new year, town business has been a bit slow, but we are looking forward to getting back into things,” said Mayor Myron Dyck.

Council approved the development of a custom manufacturing business dedicated to furniture building, refinishing, and sign-making in an Industrial Mixed Use Zone. The address will be 9 Heritage Trail.

The meeting also saw a recap of the town’s $109 million involvement in the Red-Seine-Rat Wastewater Cooperative, which was approved by council resolution on December 3, as well as a brief discourse on the town’s tax sale date. 

Councillor John Funk questioned the town’s choice to hold the tax sale—or, Sale of Land for Arrears of Taxes—on December 10.

“Why is the date so close before Christmas?” Funk asked. “We had some residents scrambling to make the payments before Christmas.” 

Councillor Nathan Dueck agreed. “It’s not that there’s a problem with the date itself, but the dynamic of the situation is just difficult. Is there a better way to do it?”

CAO Eric King reminded council that residents impacted by the tax sale are given a payment window of three years, and council is empowered to change the terms of the tax sale through appropriate channels if it so wishes.

The February 4 council meeting time will be changed from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. due to a scheduling conflict.