Mount Forest is projected to more than double in size in the next 50 years, but there is a hefty price tag to accommodate it.
Peter Harrison and Kelly Vader, of B.M. Ross and Associates, told Wellington North councillors March 7 about projected costs involved in Mount Forest’s servicing master plan.
Costs for projected water works are estimated at nearly $3-million, while sewage projects could be anywhere between $6.28- to $7.27-million. The growth projections are a combination of figures utilizing historic growth of the community from 1981 to 2011, a C.N. Watson report projected growth between 2021 and 2031, and further growth estimates of the master plan study taking the growth projections to 2061.
Some of those projects include water main upgrades and extension, a new elevated water storage tank, plus numerous new sewers and force mains in the community.
Priority projects included servicing of the Murphy lands at the south end of town, building a new water tower at the north end, replacing undersized water mains, and extending sanitary sewers in various parts of the town.
Vader said the purpose of the master plan is to look at potential growth of the community and what might be needed to accommodate it.
She said the Mount Forest master plan is a draft document that was reviewed internally and, once finalized, would be made public.
Vader said in 2003 Wellington North completed a water supply and sewage management master plan.
“In 2005, the Places to Grow Act came into effect, which had some fairly serious ramifications on how municipalities have to plan for growth,” Vader said.
That resulted in changes to projected growth in Mount Forest.
Vader explained in 2008, C.N. Watson did new forecasts on projected population growth. That again resulted in a projection of accelerated growth rates.
Vader said in 2009, Wellington County completed an extensive review of projected residential and employment growth.
She said that is a long range planning document used to group large numbers of similar types of projects, rather than looking at site specific issues. It combines existing land use with projected future use.
The master plan includes a series of recommendations that allow the municipality to plan individual projects within that framework. She said updates to the plan are essential because conditions change.
“We base things on our best information at the time. But towns grow and populations change, so it is important to make certain that information is accurate as you move forward.”
In addition, she said some projects completed in previous versions of the master plan, have now been completed.
One is the sewage treatment plant in Mount Forest, which is now used as a main pumping station to a new plant.
The plan also identified potential industrial, residential, and commercial growth – where the community is going to grow.
Vader said while the 20 year estimates are generally the most accurate, 50 year estimates are also brought into play to plan for the future. “We also identified where we thought future growth would go in those time frames.”
One of the proposals is to build a new water tower which, while currently outside of the municipal boundary, is owned by Wellington North.
She said that in 1981, Mount Forest had a population of roughly 3,500. Today, it is roughly 5,000.
Vader said the projection estimate over 50 years is 10,650 based on specific trends.
She said figures would be checked in five years to determine if projections are accurate.
Harrison said the community is supplied by four wells, and a standpipe, representing the elevated water storage. He outlined the current sewage equipment what upgrades are taking place.
Since the last review, water metering has started, providing more accurate information.
“Something that was very interesting to us was that there was a significant reduction in water use since the previous master plan.”
The master plan has yet to be finalized and a similar plan is in the works for Arthur.
