Schreiber Council Meeting Recap – December

Schreiber held its sole council meeting for December, covering various topics and updates for the township.

Christmas Parade Cancelled

The meeting opened with the approval of the previous session's minutes and related business. Notably, the temporary street closure bylaw for the Christmas parade on December 22 was withdrawn, as the event was cancelled due to a lack of interest.

Financial Matters

All bank debit orders and accounts for payment were approved and ratified. There was no unfinished business from the prior meeting.

Outdoor Skating Rink Reopening

Under "Other Business," council discussed reopening the outdoor skating rink. The township received interest from volunteers willing to manage and operate the rink during the winter season. A committee will oversee snow clearing and general operations, and a rink manual and user guide are in development. Council plans to pass a bylaw formally authorizing the volunteers to run the rink.

CAO Report: Abandoned Properties

The CAO report addressed the long-standing issue of abandoned properties in Schreiber. In the past, tax-sale properties were often purchased by speculators who left them vacant, offering no benefit to the town. To combat this, the property sale bylaw will be updated to include safeguards for the municipality and clearer terms for potential developers. Time limits for property development will also be introduced to ensure compliance with town regulations.

Operations Report: Water and Wastewater Treatment

The Director of Operations provided updates on repairs to both the water and wastewater treatment plants. A state of emergency had been declared to address critical issues at the aging sewer plant, built in the 1970s. Pumper trucks were brought in to assist with waste removal, and restoring the plant to full operational status remains a top priority for the township.

The meeting concluded with an in-camera session to address confidential matters.