A landowner and the township will share in the costs of upgrading at 250-metre stretch of roadway to township standards that will restore winter road maintenance to a home rented out by the landowner.
Brian O’Donnell, who owns the property on Sideroad 7, attended the Sept. 23 council meeting, which included a report on the matter from newly-hired director of public works Deb Zehr.
Council heard that winter maintenance of the road was halted for several years, however the reason for stopping it was not known.
O’Donnell has maintained stopping winter road maintenance was something that took place prior to him purchasing the property.
Zehr gave council several options to resolve the issue, including a $27,800 estimate to return the road to township standards. O’Donnell agreed to split the cost, despite reservations.
Councillor Andy Lennox admitted, “this is a difficult situation.” Lennox speculated the reason winter road maintenance was discontinued was because the previous owner only resided in the house during the summer months.
“I believe there’s something different that warrants a diversion from the policy,” Lennox said, referring to the township road maintenance policy that may have been the issue when winter maintenance was halted.
The issue has also prompted council to ask staff to review other areas where winter road maintenance has been discontinued, but should possibly be reconsidered.
O’Donnell agreed to share the cost of the work, including a turnaround at the home for snowplows and emergency vehicles.
However, CAO Mike Givens requested council not include in its motion the estimated cost, “because it is just an estimate.”
The landowner and township will move ahead with the work, with O’Donnell able to look at the original estimate and what it involved.
