Niverville’s town council met virtually on Tuesday, June 15 for their regularly scheduled bimonthly meeting. After some brief, standard housekeeping issues, they opened the first of two public hearings.
Ready-to-Move Home
The first public hearing was held to discuss a zoning bylaw and conditional use amendment to 1794 PR 311. This 10.4-acre property has belonged to the Church family since 1878 and has one home on it.
The current owner, Kerry Church, has made a request to allow a ready-to-move home to be added to the property.
Church informed council that he and his wife, recently retired Niverville Elementary School teacher Sue Church, have planned to move into the RTM home as they are ready to downsize. Their son would then take over the main house, allowing the homestead to stay with the Church family.
Two people voiced their support for the proposal. One mentioned that he had wanted to make sure the proposal didn’t involve a multifamily apartment building or something similar being built there. He said he had no problem with Church’s plan.
A letter of opposition was also read into the minutes. Anne Eastman of Troon Cove voiced strong opinions about the subject. Her email indicated that she felt the area was already overpopulated for its infrastructure. She also wrote that she had a lack of confidence that Mr. Church could enhance the community with his plan due to her perceived shortcomings with his previous business ventures in town.
The public hearing was closed and votes were taken. Both the zoning bylaw and conditional use amendment were passed unanimously.
Autopac Sign
A second conditional public hearing was then opened regarding a backlit Autopac sign at BSI Insurance, 1-41 Main Street.
CAO Eric King pointed out that the matter up for debate was simply about putting back the sign that had been taken down during construction. The sign hadn’t previously been approved by conditional use, so it was, according to Mayor Myron Dyck, “technically non-conforming.”
The public hearing was closed and a vote taken. The motion was unanimously carried.
Ways and Means
There were three items on the Ways and Means recommendations agenda.
The first was regarding the property of Lyall Hudson at NE 36-7-3EPN. There were several parts to this request.
First, that Hudson enter into a development contract with the town.
Second, that Hudson connect both lots to municipal potable water and wastewater systems within two years of a water distribution system being established along the property.
Third, that the building location certificate, showing the location of all buildings and the sewage disposal systems in relation to the proposed landlines, be provided to the town.
And fourth, that any other variance order be obtained, if required, as a result of the building location certificate. This entire motion was unanimously passed and carried.
The second item was about supplementary taxes being added to the tax roll. This was passed and unanimously carried.
The third item was a request from the builders of 34 Briarfield Court for an extension for the refund of their building permit security deposit. The standard one-year timeline was unanimously extended to two years, the new deadline being set for July 29, 2022.
Later in the meeting, a last-minute request from 32 Briarfield Court was also discussed. Their extension to July 22, 2022 was also passed.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Myron took the opportunity to offer a congratulatory message on behalf of council to Niverville’s 2021 graduating class.
“I know it may be not what you wanted it to be, but we congratulate you, we wish you a great summer, we wish you all the best as you go forward, and we hope that you will stay and continue to contribute to the community of Niverville to make it better,” Mayor Dyck said. “All the best to all of you!”
Odds and Ends
Next on the agenda was the standard review and approval of the most recent cheques drawn on the town’s account. The cheques were approved with minimal discussion.
The May 31 financial statement was also unanimously carried.
A third reading of a borrowing bylaw was then put before council. This was in regards to a $4 million loan for the water treatment plant and source expansion project. This too was unanimously passed and carried.
In new business, there was a motion regarding a new rate for water meters effective July 1. This would change the rate from $537 to $600 for the water meter fee for ⅝-inch water meters and their installation. King noted that this is simply a change due to a cost of materials and will only affect owners of newly built houses. This motion was unanimously passed and carried.
Last on the agenda was an award contract for town cleaning supplies. After a due tendering process, the contract was awarded to Wood Wyant of Winnipeg, who submitted the overall lowest bid. Their contract will extend to December 31, 2022. Wood Wyant already services the Heritage Centre and Heritage Life Personal Care Home. This motion was unanimously carried.