MINTO – Town council here has approved a maintenance and easement agreement with the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) to determine responsibilities for Minto-Clifford Public School’s walkway services.
“This agreement cleans up some historical responsibilities that were from the purchase of the Harriston Senior School,” town wastewater services manager Mark Robertson told council.
The town owns property connecting Lawrence Avenue to lands owned by the UGDSB – the public school. A walkway was constructed by the town across this land, providing pedestrian access to the school
Additionally, municipal water, sanitary and storm sewer services are provided through the property.
It was indicated in the previous agreement that the town would maintain the existing walkway connection from school to George Street or construct alternative access.
“Part of that walkway would be going through a future development, and we don’t know the timelines on those developments [or] how long it’s going to take for the walkway to be reinstated,” he explained.
“During the reconstruction of Lawrence Avenue a couple years ago, we relocated the walkway onto town lands where the existing servicing for the public school travelled through.
“We took that opportunity to consolidate the infrastructure and move it over to the right-hand side of the lot and place an easement over the infrastructure and walkway,” Robertson said
The agreement lays out the responsibilities for both the board and town.
UGDSB responsibilities include:
- winter maintenance (snow clearing, salting and sanding) from Nov. 1 to April 30; and
- storm sewer maintenance (cleaning catch basins and mains).
Town responsibilities include:
- maintenance, repair and replacement of sanitary sewers and water mains; and
- general responsibility for the walkway and storm sewers (outside of board maintenance work).
The term of the agreement is as long as the public school property is zoned institutional and operated as a school.
“If either of those change then the agreement will be amended,” said Robertson.
Mayor Dave Turton asked if “that was a reasonably easy agreement to agree to?”
Robertson replied, “In principle, yes. There were some issues with the fine details that took a little bit of time, but overall I think it’s a good agreement for both parties.”
The report notes no funds are exchanged between the parties and each party agrees to maintain $5 million in liability insurance and name the other as an additional insured party.
Council approved the agreement and easement unanimously.
