Despite a last ditch effort by Hillsburgh resident Lloyd Turbitt to stop it, councillors here have approved a bylaw that will change seven street names throughout the Town of Erin.
Turbitt told council an overwhelming majority of residents on Main Street in Hillsburgh are opposed to renaming it Trafalgar Road.
“They don’t want it,” Turbitt said of residents who signed his petition.
“I hope this council takes this as a clear vote.”
Mayor Rod Finnie said he realizes no one really wants the changes, but sometimes council has to make unpopular decisions for the better of the town.
Councillor Barb Tocher agreed.
“I think what we’re gaining is clarity,” Tocher said, and she added that she, too, will be personally affected by the name changes.
Tocher explained the changes are necessary to avoid a possible tragedy that could result from duplicate street names throughout the town.
Former Fire Chief John McDougall had told council that he is in support of the changes because he does not want to see any emergency personnel going to a wrong address as a result of the duplicate names, which became a problem after amalgamation in 1999.
The specifics of the bylaw include:
– Main Street in Hillsburgh will be changed to Trafalgar Road;
– Elizabeth Street in Hillsburgh will be changed to Gibey Street;
– Church Street East in Erin village will be changed to East Church Street, and Church Street West will be changed to Church Boulevard;
– Mill Street in Erin will be changed to Millwood Road;
– Water Street in Hillsburgh will be changed to Covert Lane;
– Hill Street in Erin will be renamed Lions Park Avenue; and
– the south side of Sideroad 17 will be renumbered.
Council unanimously passed the bylaw, which also states the changes will come into effect on July 12.
