The Council for the Township of Whitewater Region heard a presentation from a delegation of citizens,.
Kyle Rowley presented with Miriam Hunt and Mary Moss, represented Olmstead-Jeffrey Lake Road, and the need to improve its condition.
“As we learned from the meeting last week, Council is also aware of how Residents feel, likely do to a number of emails.” Rowley said.
He then read a list of the community’s requests:
“We know you face many competing challenges with very little budget flexibility. We are grateful to the staff for the hours of work that have been put in to finding creative ways to move this project forward.”
“We look forward to hearing the follow-up report that will come to council in the first quarter once the engineering is completed. “
“There has been some discussion that the section from the highway to Lefty Lane is in the worst condition. We feel that the whole road should be completed as part of the tender to ensure quality throughout. The deterioration of the road from Lefty Lane to Magnesium Road is increasing and residents at that end of our road are noticing it as they both walk and drive this section.”
“Communication with our residents is very important. Accurate information about what is going to transpire will alleviate the speculation, assumptions and rumours. This will in turn result in more support and positive dialogue. We recommend some of this communication should be in the form of a letter to ensure all residents are informed, rather than in an email or an article in the newspaper which can be interpretive.”
“Safety continues to be a concern. Three residents have expressed their fears of this being more of an issue once the road is improved. Some ideas to consider for improvement of safety would be reducing speed limits, more speed signage and perhaps removable speed bumps. Although it would be an added expense, staff might also consider a paved shoulder for walkers and cyclists. These paved shoulders might eventually allow a tie in with roads currently encouraging cycling.”
“We look forward to this project beginning in 2021 and to enhanced communication about the plan with our residents.”
The mayor thanked them.
“We also look forward to seeing the engineer’s report and seeing what we need to do.” Mayor Moore said.
There were no questions.
The meeting adjourned at 5:11pm.
