COBDEN — The residents on McGonegal Road who live past Coon Hollow Trail will need to implement a road agreement with the Township of Whitewater Region if they are going to continue to maintain the road in the winter months.
Public works manager Bill Misener advised the public works committee last night that Art Labow has asked that the township plow the entire length of McGonegal Road now that there are year-round residents residing further than Coon Hollow Trail.
He noted currently there is no room on the municipal right-of-way to provide a turn-around for the snowplow. However, permission has been granted to use private property to create the turn-around, he said.
There are a few issues and concerns, Mr. Misener said. Putting the turn-around on private property could have liability issues and if the property is sold, what happens if the new owner says the turn-around can’t be used?
“There are many seasonally-maintained roads we don’t plow,” he said.
Mayor Hal Johnson said the piece the township is being requested to plow isn’t long, but it would have to be transferred over to the municipality.
“There are too many word-of-mouth contracts that don’t work,” he said.
When questioned if the road could be plowed in its current state, Mr. Misener said no, as it is not up to the township’s roads standard.
Councillor Charlene Jackson said if the residents have been plowing the road, she has a concern with that because the liability remains with the township.
“If they want the road plowed, they can bring it up to standard and they can create the turn-around,” she said. “They can’t continue to keep it open, they need insurance. There’s a whole bunch of issues that come to mind.”
She questioned how year-round residences were allowed on a seasonally-maintained road. However, staff and council noted those were granted prior to them taking over the positions.
Mr. Misener will speak to Mr. Labow about a road agreement.
