After learning a local road that was never maintained has been owned by the municipality since the 1960s, Erin council has decided to start maintaining it.
Mayor Allan Alls met with the 14 residents of Scott Crescent in Hillsburgh at the end of May.
“They were a very reasonable group, but happy that we could even finally take ownership over our road we own,” said Alls.
New roads superintendent Greg Delfosse told council on June 21 the cost to bring the road up to a reasonable condition would be around $7,000 in forestry, drainage and road work. He explained the town also sought a legal opinion about not bringing the road up to municipal standards.
Lawyer Stephen Garrod raised concerns about that, but Delfosse explained in his report there are many examples of roads within the town that do not meet municipal standards.
Alls said he recognized those concerns.
“I feel we’re in a mixed responsibility here because we actually own the road and we haven’t been maintaining it to any standards, and whatever standards we do maintain it to now, is better than what we’ve been doing and I think we are less exposed under those circumstances,” said Alls.
Councillor John Brennan asked if the lack of cul-de-sac would impact snow plowing.
“The resident at the end has a fairly wide drive way and has already told us as far as he’s concerned, he’s okay if we do a three-point turn in his driveway; that’s not an issue,” said Delfosse.
Councillor Matt Sammut asked about town liability for this option and whether a “do-nothing” option was available.
Delfosse said, “Now that it’s brought to light that it’s our responsibility, we can’t do nothing.”
He added, “The reality is that throughout town there’s a lot of roads that are substandard, I mean no cul-de-sac, no full cul-de-sac or narrow pavement widths which is basically the major issues.”
Alls suggested Delfosse draw up a letter of agreement “that will go on title of all these properties so that everyone has a clear understanding going forward when this property is sold, this is what this road is all about.”
Council agreed and voted in favour of performing necessary maintenance and adopting the road for future maintenance.
