Mayor George Bridge has assured a neighbour the new multi-million dollar OPP station in Teviotdale will not have a significant impact on her home.
The mayor even offered to take Judy Wass to inspect the operation of the new OPP station in Aboyne to see how little it impacts neighbours there.
Wass sent a lengthy letter opposing the new OPP station to Wellington County’s Planning and Land Division committee and to Minto councillors.
“I am giving my written opposition to the proposed $7.5-million OPP station project in Teviotdale,” Wass said in the letter.
“I own the property directly next door to the left of the parkland being developed. When I say parkland, I mean just that,” she said of the site, which has operated as a soccer pitch and baseball diamond.
“I have lived here for 24 years and have loved this community and location. When my husband and I purchased this property we asked about the park and were told in no uncertain terms that the parkland directly to the left of our property was given as a gift to the township of Minto to be used solely for parkland and never to be sold.
“The community has in the past gone to the expense of erecting huge lighting in the park for night baseball games and in recent years cleared an extra piece of parkland for a soccer field to which more lighting was added.”
Minto chief administrative officer Bill White said after reviewing past agreements for the operation of the land, he had found no agreement stipulating the township or town had agreed the land would be retained for recreation purposes only.
Wass said she was “shocked” to learn from a December article in the Wellington Advertiser that the site was the county’s “top choice” for the new station.
“Do you have any idea just how many people enjoy this park throughout the spring, summer and fall?” Wass asked. “I am a taxpayer and am appalled that there was no notice given to taxpayers in this community that the park was even for sale.”
Wass also claimed the OPP station would devalue her property if she considers selling it.
County planner Mark Van Patter told Wass in all likelihood an OPP station located next door would not impact the value of the home.
He also noted that as the project progresses she would be informed of specific plans for the station, including rezoning of the property and a site plan showing the building, parking lot, lighting and drainage.
Van Patter said he doesn’t anticipate any increase in traffic to and from the site as officers will be out on the road.
“It’s been pretty well studied for a proposed site,” the planner said.
However, White said a final agreement on the purchase is not completed, even though it’s expected the deal will go through.
“It’s not a completed transaction at this point,” White said.
Minto officials have already made arrangements for teams using the park to be relocated to Harriston at the end of this season.
“We’ve talked to a lot of people, the soccer people, and they are fine with this,” Bridge said.
“The money from this (sale) is going into (Minto) recreation.”
The mayor said another public meeting is planned regarding rezoning of the property.
“You should probably take a tour,” Bridge added, suggesting he could assist Wass on a tour of the Aboyne station.
“It would be worthwhile seeing the building.”
