Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1994-02-09, Page 1PUBLISHED IN LUCKNOW, ONTARIO Wednesday, February 9, 1994 55g G.S.T. Included OMB delivers decision on Grierson appeal; council seeks legal advice WEST WAWANOSH - Almost five months after an appeal by Beverley Grierson to the Ontario Municipal Board, to redesignate a township road with no maintenance to a road with maintenance, a decision from board chairman A.B. Ball has been delivered in favor of Grierson. However, this doesn't put an end to the dispute between West Wawanosh Township council and Grierson. Citing lack: of time to properly consider the contents of the decision, council, during the Feb. 1 meeting, deferred the matter until obtaining legal counsel. A copy of the OMB's decision was not received by the municipality until the morning of the council meeting. Beverley and Peter Grierson at- tended the meeting•seeking an indication from council as to its intentions. Grierson is the owner of 190 acres of. land at Lot 21, Conc. 8, purchased in Sept. 1990. The north end of the property fronts on Huron County Road, 20, which is not ac- cessible by motor vehicles to the house because of the pond and surrounding wetlands. The easterly side • of the Lot 21 fronts on an unopened road allowancewhich 'is heavily wooded. That same road allowance (between Lots 21 and 22) extends southerly as an open road allowance, but the portion of the road through Conc. 7, immediately south of the subject lands, was identified on the Official Plan as "local road - no winter main- tenance." Numerous exhibits were presented by counsel for both parties during the OMB hearing on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 1993. Testimony was also heard from -past and present council members and employees of the township. The OMB's decision reads in part: "They (Griersons) have made a strong commitment as ratepayers in the Township and are entitled to the consideration normally accorded to any ratepayer. They consulted. the proper authorities before finalizing the purchase of their lands, and they commenced construction of their home with a building permit duly authorized by' the Municipal Council. ' "They have not demonstrated any disregard for environmental con- cerns, but have made a considerable expenditure to provide vehicular access to their house from the southeasterly corner of their lands. That point of access (the southeasterly corner of this land) abuts an established public road• allowance, that being the side road between Lots 21 and 22 and exten- ding from their lands southerly to the 6th Concession Road. "The Township held that that road was not constructed to normal Township standards and would not receive -any -winter maintenance. To that end, Schedule 'C' Roads Plan in Amendment No: 62 so designates the road. However, the evidence shows that in years past including 1991 and 1992,.the Township car- ried out tninimum improvements to the road and sometimes ploughed. snow on the road. The evidence • also shows that the Township coun- cil was aware of the problems with access to County Road 20 and 'therefore the need to have access to the side road. By the very action of receiving a building permit for the house the Griersons were en- couraged to build their house.. "This Board therefore is of the opinion that, without destroying any planning rationale of the Official Plan, amendments should be made toensure proper access to the Grierson lands. • "The Board is also aware that it is not uncornmon for ratepayers to share in die costs of improving road access for new residential uses, even on fairly- remote lands. Therefore the Boaitl will approve certain modifications to Amendment •turn to page 2 No injuries in tanker rollover Total whiteoutconditions were the contributing factor when ' a transport tanker, owned by Energy Transportation of Milton, rolled over on Huron Road 1, just north of Belfast. The accident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 2. Goderich OPP report that Russell Ristau, of Mitchell, was northbound with a load of propane, travelling at approximately 30 km/hour, when he caught the right shoulder of the road and lost control. The vehicle entered the right ditch and rolled onto its side. Grant Allen, general manager of operations at Energy Transportation, says Ristau was not injured in the accident. Allan reported that the cab of the truck sustained minor damages, in the $4,000 to $5,000 range. There was no leakage. Ristau stayed at an area farm house until crews arrived on Thursday morning to assess the damage and upright the truck. Three cranes were used to put the truck back on the road. Allen says it would weigh in the vicinity of 140,000 lbs. The Lucknow and District Fire Department was called out to assist with traffic control on Thursday, between 11:30 a.m. and 2:3Q p.m., while the cranes were working. Traffic was detoured at the 12th concession into Ashfield or West . Wawanosh Townships. Allen says once the truck was back on the road it continued on to its destination, Superior Propane in Walkerton. A transport tanker hauling propane roiled over on 'the east side of Huron County Road 1, just north of Belfast on Wednesday night. Total whiteout conditions were present at the time. The driver caught the right shoulder of the road resulting In the truck rolling onto Its side. No Injuries were sustained by the driver. Estimate of damage to the cab of the truck is the $4,000 to $5,000 range. (Pat Livingston photo) Instabank Machine coming to Lucknow The perseverance of the executive of the Lucknow and District Chamber of Commerce has paid 'off. , On Monday, the Bank of Montreal announced' that it will install an Instabank automated banking machine at its Lucknow branch to provide added convenience for its customers throughout the area. Branch manager John Pollard says the machine will be installed by Apr. 30. The Chamber of Commerce began efforts in .earnest last spring to Obtain a banking machine. At a meeting on Sept. 22, Bank of Montreal officials indicated that Lucknow was getting closer to the top of a list, but wouldn't say exactly what position the village was in. Indications at that time were that the no banking machine, either an automated or cash dispensing, would be forthcoming. In Monday's press release,, Pollard says, "Our customers, including the local business community, made a very persuasive case, and we're paying attention to what our.. customers say." Using an Instabank machine, Bank of Montreal customers can conduct • their banking 24 hours a day,seven days a week. For no additional charge, customers can make withdrawals and deposits, transfer funds between accounts, pay certain bills including, phone and utility • bills, and get account balances. . Customers of any financial institution belonging to the Interac network can also use the Instabank• for cash withdrawal$.. Pollard added, "The Bank of Montreal is committed to providing convenience of access to its customers. That's why we are so pleased to be adding this machine to Bank of Montreal's nationwide network of more than 1,500 Instabanks." • Greenway Project eet gears up for spring activities Although the weather •is not con- ducive to thinking spring, plans are underway for 1994 activities for the Lucknow Community Greenway Project. The Project encompasses three components: the possible develop- ment of recreational facilities including a scenic walk with boardwalks and bridges; the plan- ting of trees, shrubs and wildflowers along the rivers; and improvements to fish habitat. - The partners in the. Greenway Project include the Village of Luck - now, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, Ministry of ' Natural Resources, Environmental Partners Fund, the Lucknow and District Lions Club, and the Lucknow and District Horticultural Society. Paul. Weitendorf, communications co-ordinator for MVCA, says about 600 trees; shrubs and wildflowers were planted on public lands, as part of the Project, in 1993. Eight landowners took part by having about 180 trees and shrubs planted on their properties. Inaddition, a public planting day was held on May 8, and in the fall, students , from Lticknow Central Public. School's nature club planted • trees and shrubs on the school property. The tree and shrub plantings are being co-ordinated by the MVCA. In October, service club represen- tatives and village council members met to decide. which recreation projects each would be willing to undertake in 1994. The Lions Club, Legion, Horticul- tural Society, Kinsmen and Lions Ladies were represented.. The Lions Club will be under- taking fund-raising to construct a stone dust path at Waterworks Park. The Legion will provide a second .bridge at the park to cross over Dickie's Creek. The Horticultural Society will consider donating funds to repair or replace the other existing, bridge. Lucknow council indicated that it would be responsible for arranging for the construction of picnic tables and benches for the park. Funding for these items has been donated by the Junior Women's Institute and St. Peter's Anglican ' Church Women. As part of the scenic walk through the village, a boardwalk has been ,;planned, to be located on the Elgin Street road allowance leading aura to page 2 ' ow COC elect' new executive This premises ises to bean inmadng year l'ar.,the uck« now and> .' yet Cham of ?unnerve with Many n fps and stet ideas . to pate; mow the surroundingCommunity. At the Feb, 2 meeting Irene Dickie waselected as Presidents with Vicky Mor- rison as vice, 'Wayne McDonagh as treasurer,' and Karen: Siegfried as secretary. kat Livingston and Richard. Askes will co-chair the publication relations commit- tee, and Tom Thompson is chairman of the fund-raising committee. Pat McKillop heads up the advertising committee. Various business matters were dealt with along with a quick review of the Ctristmas promotion:. Chit. going president Ben lfogervorst and his executive were thanked for an excellent Year. "tire . COC meets the first Wednesday of each month, at 8' a.m. sharp at the Mayfair Restaurant. The next meeting is Marr. 2. All members of the COC. or those who would be interested in becoming mem- bers, are welcome to attend.