Unlike the song Dust in the Wind, resident Ken Baker is tired of the dust being generated on local roads.
On June 19, Baker made his bid for better road dust control on the Fourth Line.
While not opposed to some dust, Baker believed that a better approach is needed.
He was joined that night by several neighbours who shared his belief.
“I want to emphasize, we are essentially here in self defense.”
Having lived in Erin for 20 years, Baker said “this is the worst dust year we have ever had – bar none.”
He contended that both the health of residents and properties are at risk because of this.
“We live in paradise, but the road dust is a curse.”
Baker added he had posted video of the road at his website http://spectrumwines.ca/Erin/ to illustrate the problem.
A copy of his letter to council is also on his website.
He added that taxes have “increased enormously and clearly reflect the increasing costs of all things in the township.”
And yet, according to Baker, services provided to his property remained largely unchanged.
“Our health and property are presently in jeopardy as a function of inadequately maintained road surfaces at the most local level.”
Baker suggested the situation could be addressed in a thoughtful and responsible way through appropriate budget planning and applied road maintenance.
He stated that if a grader blade is passed over the road surface, the length of road adjacent to residences should immediately have a dust suppression applied.
“Even making calcium chloride available [to residents for application] for a fee would be far preferable to the status quo of ongoing health and property damage.”
“Road dust, an inhaled airborne particulate, is damaging to health and property and is an obvious health threat by any standard of human behaviour. The ongoing and localize road dust problem is further exacerbated by prevailing winds and poorly maintained and compositionally inadequate road surfaces.”
Baker stated that current dust suppression work ignores the local problem of bad drainage and the resulting road surface degradation.
He contended that “road dust suppression appears to have one limited definition, apply dust suppression salt solutions in May and repeatedly grade as required through the summer.”
Baker said this approach fails to consider and address local dust problems resulting from the combined effects of grade and grading of the road.
He said this approach fails to address local, slope-related degradation and washouts through the spring, summer and fall.
“The road dust problem is one that we, as homeowners, feel must be dealt with, our health and property investment make this an issue that must be corrected, we can’t afford the status quo.
“In my opinion, this dust can be controlled.”
He also stated that this is a serious traffic hazard and serious health risk.
Baker also agreed that most of the road is not a problem, just specific portions.
“I’d like to have the roads guy actually address this problem and put some thought into this.”
Baker offered his own research into the matter with options to be explored.
He then asked council what options can be considered for the future.
Baker suggested a portion of the tax bill be allocated to the goal of localized dust suppression.
He also questioned why there has not been substantial road upgrades in the past 20 years as well.
He said the clouds of dust created by construction vehicles reach higher than the maple trees.
Mayor Lou Maieron said if the calcium chloride doesn’t work to suppress the dust, perhaps alternatives should be looked at.
He noted that in the old days, motor oil was sometimes used, and “worked like a charm”.
Unfortunately, that is no longer allowed – for environmental reasons.
Councillor John Brennan added “I wish we had an answer but I don’t.”
He commented there are roads all over the municipality which could use improvement.
Brennan added part of the budget process included capital funds to address problems like this.
Councillor Wintersinger appreciated the comments because her property is located at the top of a hill as well and experiences similar problems.
“I too would like to see something done.”
Maieron said in his long term planning running for mayor, one of his goals had been roads rationalization within the town. He estimated the town spent a million dollars on gravel every year plus additional costs for dust control.
Maieron said council must remain frugal in spending, but said at some point improving roads would eventually generate savings.
The information from the presentation will be forwarded to the roads superintendent for consideration.
