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Town of Virden Council Meeting

Sponsorships, planning and getting Virden In Bloom

The first council meeting of 2017 lasted just under 30 minutes.

At the Tuesday meeting, Jan. 10, councillors were invited to weigh-in on the Red Tape Reduction survey, an initiative of the Provincial Government. The survey’s deadline is February 10.

Planning near the airport

TransCanada West Planning District’s Public Hearing, January 18 is to consider changing the zoning of a parcel of land east of the Town of Virden’s industrial park from resource/agricultural to employment. EDO Ed Brethour pointed out the parcel of land may infringe upon airport protection.

Council moved to send a letter with the copy of the proposed plan and height restrictions to be presented at the Public Hearing.

Requesting sponsorship

Virden Music & Art Festival will receive the customary $250 support they requested of council; however, it was mentioned that according to the funding formula, a $500 sponsorship would have been in-line for the festival, which extends over several weeks in Virden.

STARSkate Championships are planned for Virden in early March. Skate Virden has asked for sponsorship from the Town for this provincial event.  For the recent Fun Skate two-day event, Skate Virden received $175 in sponsorship as hosts.

In keeping with the sponsorship formula, council voted for sponsorship of STARSkate at $175 as well. McConnell noted this event is not regularly hosted in Virden.

Communities in Bloom

Representative of Virden in Bloom, Ken Ivey asked council to consider registering Virden in the Canada in Bloom event at a cost of $640. Council voted to support the committee if there is sufficient volunteer interest. “It doesn’t sound like we’re changing much [in the] budget,” stated Mayor McConnell. “It’s primarily volunteer driven.”

Order of ManitobaMayor McConnell explained the Order of Manitoba award nominations close soon. He also pointed out that once nominated, whether awarded in 2017 or not, a nominee’s name stays on the nominee list indefinitely.

Committee reports

In committee reports CAO Rhonda Stewart has spent time working on legal matters, including a trip to Winnipeg on Dec 22 regarding the Town’s ‘Statement of Claim’ with Tervita, former soils facility/landfill operator.

Regarding emergency preparedness for the holiday season, the CAO met with RCMP, the Fire Department (WDFD) and Westman Emergency Group to ensure there was a good plan in place to cover potential road closures and emergency services which if required over the Christmas season.

In the event of a highway closure the plan included a means to segregate light vehicles from the semi truck traffic (which would remain on Hwy #1) and re-route cars down Hwy #83 into Virden.

Mayor McConnell paid tribute to Town staff for their snow clearing and extra work over the holidays.

“Our staff are working very hard,” said the mayor.

He also commended those involved in emergency preparedness.

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