Council had an exciting month this last March! Some highlights include giving the first reading of the 2025 Financial Plan, authorizing the closure of Main Street for the 2025 Niverville Old Tyme Country Fair, and awarding the Town’s 2025 Equipment Contract.
Read on to learn more about what happened “Last Month at Council”!
March 4th, 2025, Council Meeting
- Council approved Conditional Use C6-23, which allows for the continued use of a home-based business operating an Income Tax Return service at 52 2nd Street North.
- The two conditions for this Conditional use are that the applicant provides on-site parking for clients and that they maintain a valid annual business license with the Town of Niverville.
- Council approved Conditional Use C3-25, which allows for heavy equipment sales of vehicles weighing over 14,000 pounds and the sale of new or used parts for heavy equipment at 369 Bronstone Drive.
- This was approved with the condition that all heavy equipment, vehicles, and parts are stored in the rear fenced-in enclosure or in the warehouse.
- Council approved the subdivision application file no. 4340-24-9059, which realigns the boundaries between 262 and 268 Main Street to expand existing commercial use.
- It was approved with the condition that any variance orders be obtained, if required, to ensure compliance with the Town’s Zoning By-law.
- Council approved Way to Go Consulting to complete the rate studies required for the Public Utilities Board Rate Application.
- The fee for this consulting is $12,900.00 ($6,000.00 for water rates and $6,900.00 for sewer rates), plus applicable taxes.
- Following the Town’s due tendering process, the contract for the Town’s 2025 Equipment Contract was awarded to Artel Farms, which submitted the lowest overall bid.
- This contract was for qualified contractors to provide an hourly rate for equipment, such as a Track Hoe or Tandem Dump Truck, that the Town may need to complete ongoing projects in the community.
March 18th, 2025, Council Meeting
- Council gave first reading to Bylaw 875-25, the Town of Niverville’s 2025 Financial Plan. The Public Hearing for the 2025 Financial Plan is scheduled for April 15th, 2025, at the Niverville CRRC, 501 Centre Street, at 7:00 pm.
- What is a first, second, and third reading? According to the Municipal Act, Section 142.1, “Every proposed by-law must be given three separate readings at meetings of the council, and each reading must be put to a vote.” Additionally, Section 142.2 says that “A council may not give a proposed by-law more than two readings at the same council meeting.” What this means is that Council must vote at least 3 separate times on a proposed bylaw before it can become an official bylaw and cannot vote more than twice on a proposed bylaw at a single meeting.
- Why a Public Hearing? Section 162.2 of the Municipal Act states that “Before adopting the financial plan, the council must give public notice, and hold a public hearing, in respect of the plan.” This allows the community to hear about the plan and provide comments on it before it is voted on for the final time.
- How does the Town of Niverville Structure its readings and public hearings? Typically, the Town will have its first reading of a bylaw, with the second and third readings happening at the next council meeting. This gap between first reading and second and third reading can be extended when time is needed to advertise the bylaw and a public hearing, as is the case with the 2025 Financial Plan Bylaw. If a public hearing is required, it will be scheduled for after the second reading of a bylaw but before the third reading.
- As the Town supports the Niverville Old Tyme Country Fair, Council authorized that Main Street be closed from June 5th to June 8th, 2025, for the fair.
- Part of this authorization includes the Fair committee notifying affected businesses and that a map be provided to the Town outlining the detour route, among others.
- Council also approved the fair to be a licensed event on June 6th from 5:00 pm to 1:00 am and on June 7th from 1:00 pm to 1:00 am.
- Council approved a revision to a subdivision at 86 3rd Avenue South, a bareland condominium development consisting of two duplexes, which was amended to increase the size of one of the units.
- The condition for this subdivision is that the 10-foot drainage easement that the Town has on the south side of the property be recognized and honoured in full.
Interested in learning more about what goes on at Council? Click the link here to read the full minutes of Council meetings, or click here to see when our next council meeting is and attend in person.
If you have any questions about the Council meetings, please contact the Town Office by email at feedback@whereyoubelong.ca or by phone at 204-388-4600 so we can assist you to the best of our ability.