Council here gave first and second reading to a bylaw authorizing the township to proceed with improvements to the Sebben municipal drain, despite the concerns of some landowners who will be assessed for the cost the project.
The township authorized an engineering report on the project after receiving a petition from the requisite number of owners.
The total estimated cost of the work is $274,000, with individual landowners assessed amounts ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, depending on the level of benefit they are expected to receive.
At a public meeting on the drain project on April 28, landowner Wayne Schneider said he felt it was unfair for affected property owners to bear the entire cost.
“If this was a private drain okay, but this is a municipal drain and it’s the responsibility of this township and the province to make sure it’s up to snuff … it should come out of the kitty as far as I’m concerned,” stated Schneider, adding he believes residents of former Maryborough township are “forgotten,” when it comes to municipal spending.
“Mapleton is more than just Drayton and Peel,” he said.
Burnside engineer Tom Pridham explained that while use of the word “municipal” in naming drains “conjures up” the idea it is municipally owned, “It’s not. It’s owned by the people of the watershed.”
Councillor Dennis Craven added, “whenever we do a water and sewer project in Drayton or Moorefield, the people in Drayton and Moorefield have to contribute out of the their own pockets.”
“What about street lights?” asked Schneider.
“We pay for the streetlights too,” replied Craven.
Schneider then suggested the Drayton Library was another example of municipal dollars unfairly benefiting residents of only a specific portion of the community.
“I’ll probably never see the inside of that place,” he stated.
“We’re here to talk about the drain, not to discuss county issues,” interjected Mayor Neil Driscoll.
“We gave you a chance to speak and now you can listen … we’ll be glad to educate you about municipal matters.”
Some other property owners asked if arrangements could be made to finance the project through the township, or pay in installments.
“We can investigate,” responded CAO Patty Sinnamon.
Council will consider third reading and passage of the bylaw following a court of revision for the Sebben drain project set for May 26.
