Road and bridge repair are highly important issues to local residents, but work being done is currently unsatisfactory in meeting community needs.
This may explain why road and bridge repair has been identified as one of the few areas of township business where the public is willing to accept more than a rate-of-inflation level of spending.
Roads and bridges are among the conclusions emerging from Centre Wellington’s survey of community priorities. The survey results are posted on the Township website at centrewellington.ca/ourgovernment/Pages/Strategic-Plan.aspx
The community survey was conducted during the month of March using two methods.
First, 1,000 randomly-selected households received a letter specifically inviting them to complete the survey, either online or on paper.
This random selection, to which 215 households responded, enabled the township to determine public priorities with a substantial degree of statistical accuracy.
At the same time, the public at large was invited to complete the survey; and 307 residents did so.
Township CAO Andy Goldie states that the survey results will prove very useful to council in establishing its priorities for the 2014-2018 term. “It’s essential to know where time, money, and effort should be concentrated over the next few years. Council and staff know that we can’t do everything, but we have to prioritize to get the most important things done first.”
In addition to road and bridge repair, the survey identified other high township-wide priorities such as:
– expediting the development of the new Groves hospital;
– ensuring that growth pays for growth;
– maintaining the “small-town” attraction of Centre Wellington;
– supporting farms and agriculture-related business;
– ensuring that new development is well-planned, walkable and affordable;
– promoting and enforcing fire safety;
– reviewing the efficiency of municipal operations; and
– expanding the sidewalk and trails network
In addition to road conditions, the public pointed out other areas where they were least satisfied with the current situation including:
– progress on a Highway 6 bypass;
– traffic flow through the community;
– effective two-way communications with the public
– electronic communication with the public;
– industrial park development; and
– expediting the Landmark hotel/condo/commercial development.
The survey asked how much of an increase in Township spending the public would be willing to accept, for each of the potential 29 community priorities listed. Possible responses ranged from no increase at all to an increase of more than 10%. While residents are generally reluctant to accept spending increases beyond the 2-3% rate-of-inflation range, increases up to 5% are acceptable for:
– repairing/replacing bridges;
– repairing roads; and
– expediting the development of the new Groves hospital.
Willingness to spend above rate-of-inflation levels was also evident for:
– revitalizing the two downtowns;
– identifying future sources of water supply; and
– expanding the network of sidewalks and trails.
These 215 random sample responses statistically reflect the views of all township residents within 5%, 19 times out of 20.
Goldie notes that, while the 307 responses from the general public do not lend themselves to statistical analysis, what is most important to those 307 is similar to the statistical results.
“It is truly remarkable, not only that 215 households responded to the random sample invitation, but also that 307 people took the time and trouble to opt-in to the survey. It is also noteworthy that similar priorities emerge, particularly roads and bridges and the development of the new hospital. Respondents were also focused on the impact of growth and who pays for growth, on the downtowns, and of course on the efficiency of our municipal operations. The message comes through loud and clear.”
Complete survey results are posted on the township website and are being used by council to develop its strategic plan and priorities for the 2014-2018 term. That plan will be substantially completed in June of this year.
