KILLALOE – Two residents of Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards Township are asking council to look into the drainage issues along Queen Street.
Maureen Cashubec and Kelly Clouthier approached council at the June 5 meeting with the request.
Cashubec owns a home near King Street. According to Clouthier, one of the foundation walls has actually buckled-in due to the drainage issues. He called it a “serious situation.”
Don Wrigglesworth, bylaw enforcement officer, attended the residence on May 23 to inspect the damage. In a report to council, he said he was there to inspect the foundation problems to Cashubec’s home which she claims is directly related to the easement and drainage system installed by the municipality a few years ago.
The wall has a noticeable bow and has a supportive vice to prevent further failure. Maureen also advised that there is water leaking down into the chimney and out into the basement.
According to his report, Cashubec claimed since the construction work was completed, two holes have developed in the pavement next to the catch basin. She also believes that this is a sign that soil around the catch basin is undermined and that the water is now undermining her foundation.
Wrigglesworth told the owner that the wall must be repaired and she agreed. Wrigglesworth suggested hiring a structural engineer at her cost, with the municipality getting a copy of the report.
“Council is well aware of the drainage issues on that street,” Clouthier told council at the recent meeting. “They are continuously getting issues on the street.”
He said that council should bare some responsibility on the issue.
He presented a survey done from Queen Street to King Street, which Clothier said was completed by a qualified individual, but did not reveal their name or qualifications.
“We’re not disputing the fact that we have to fix it,” Clouthier added. “What we are expressing to you and your council is the responsibility has to be born somewhat by the municipality for the reasons stated, that there is inadequate drainage on that street.”
After a lengthily discussion, which included the presentation of photos and videos of the drainage issues, Wrigglesworth suggested getting a sewer camera to investigate the problem.
Council agreed to the recommendation in a unanimous vote. Visneskie said after the prep work is done, the township will be in touch with the property owners.
POLICING COST BACKLASH
Afterwards, council set their sites on a motion prepared by KHR Township that tackles escalating policing costs throughout the province.
In Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards alone, the policing costs for 2012 are $403,826, an increase of $55,071 from the 2011 estimate. This means that policing costs represent 20.8 per cent of the revenue raised through taxation for the township in 2012.
The motion reads that the formula for calculating policing costs, while adhering to provincially mandated requirements relating to staffing, equipment, salaries, etc., does not have regard to individual municipal needs, circumstances or ability to pay, nor does it take into account the municipal tax base.
KHR council believes that the formula for calculating policing costs lacks transparency and accountability to municipalities and to the public.
Essentially, the motion petitions the provincial government to establish a transparent, accountable and fair formula for the allocation of policing costs throughout the province of Ontario.
Story continues in the June 13 issue of The Valley Gazette.