Niverville’s town council met on the evening of Tuesday, August 18 for a brief council meeting. Following the meeting, media was given a guided tour of the Community Resources and Recreation Centre construction site.
Recreation Space in The Highlands
A second and third reading was given to pass the rezoning of a public recreation space in The Highlands development. Both the developer and a resident were present to speak to the rezoning, the purpose of which was to clarify the amount of green space being left for possible parks, recreation space, and a retention pond.
One question was raised about play structures—how are decisions to build play structures made? The person who asked the question pointed out that residents in the area would like to know if a community play structure is being planned for The Highlands.
“Play structures are initiated in various ways,” explained Eric King, the Town of Niverville’s CAO. “Some are from a developer because it raises the saleability of the lots in the development, and some are from the town when we see the area needs a play structure. But the town mandate is to include enough greenspaces, paths, etc.”
The developer provided assurances that there is enough greenspace earmarked and several acres are available for recreation in The Highlands. That said, no play structures have been specifically initiated yet.
“Not always does a developer put in a play structure,” explained councillor John Funk. “Town residents can communicate with the developer privately or contact the town office to be heard as we continue planning with developers.”
Open Health Update
A grant was approved in the amount of $60,000 to allow the town to continue operating the Open Health medical clinic. The town says that this grant is in line with the costs they initially foresaw when they took on the support of the financially ailing clinic.
The measures put in place since the town’s involvement include hiring a business manager and attracting new clinicians. Restrictions necessitated by COVID-19 saw a dip in the services provided, as fewer residents were visiting the clinic with non-urgent appointments.
Now that more doctors have been hired and more people are coming to see them, more revenue is being generated. This means the clinic is able to bill the province appropriately for the increased services they are outputting.
Recreation Rate Changes
A new fitness class is being organized for seniors at a cost of just $10, down from $25. The class will be held at the arena with appropriate social distancing guidelines in place. Sanitization of the space used by the class will be made paramount.
Also, arena rates will increase this season due to COVID-19. The town will implement a surcharge of $20 for ice time of 90 minutes or less, and $40 for ice time over 90 minutes. This increase will cover the cost of additional staff and cleaning methods to ensure that the spaces are sanitized between groups.
Sump Pump Authority
The wording of the town’s bylaws were updated to clarify the authority of the town to enforce alternate sump pump drainage locations. The new wording clarifies when and where the town can step in to ensure that drainage meets the town’s standards regarding drainage from private lots to public lots.
