On January 15–16, Town Council hunkered down for an extended group think at its annual planning sessions. This weekend-long summit provides an uninterrupted opportunity to hash through plans and possibilities for the coming year and rally around strategies to bring them to life.
Items on the agenda included permits for vendors and food carts, solar light options for the pathways in Hespeler Park, and hiring more Green Team members to ensure there will be enough staff for increased town maintenance during the summer months.
Council members are keenly aware that there is rarely enough staffed manpower to attend to every tree, shrub, and flowerbed in town. Consideration was given to outsourcing some of the flora and fauna work to individuals or volunteer groups. Adopt-a-Tree was presented as a further option to share in the upkeep and beautification of our green spaces.
Discussion was given to a number of programs or services not currently part of the community. Volunteers are recognized by council as the backbone of Niverville, championing new initiatives. Council welcomes anyone with an idea to come forward and present a plan, as well as to join or create volunteer groups to carry out these initiatives.
Council strongly advocated for neighbourhood street parties. They looked at ways of providing financial assistance to encourage more of this kind of spirited culture.
With water being foremost on council’s mind, a rain barrel program was considered, allowing homeowners to retain rainwater, which would take pressure off the sewer system during high rain events. These saved water resources could then be used for watering lawns and gardens. The town will be in contact with the Seine-Rat River Conservation District for potential funding.
Council would like to establish a community steering committee to mobilize doctor recruitment for the new medical clinic, which hopes to offer expanded hours when it opens next year.
Finally, a decision was made to meet with the Hanover School Board and provincial officials to urge them to consider French immersion and special trades programs for both existing and new schools.
Many of these initiatives, however, come with a cost. Members of council will need to ensure that the budget provides for any or all of the proposals put forth at the planning sessions. The 2016 budget will be up for review in April.
