Cost overrun for lights shocks council

The Moorefield ball park was getting the light standards from the Teviotdale ball diamond that is becoming an OPP station, but council here was given a minor electrical jolt on May 22.

Public works director Larry Lynch told council the poles had been relocated to Moorefield, which also had its outfield fence moved back from home plate.

Lynch noted there are a number of volunteers working to get the park into shape, but the budget of $15,000 got a shock even though the connection work is being done by a local electrician.

“Because the poles are metal, we had to replace the cable to the community centre,” Lynch said, adding that unexpected cost is $7,000.

“We will look at the parks budget and try to cover the costs,” he said, calling the unexpected cost “the one little glitch we have in the project.”

He added a volunteer will supply the holes for the poles.

Mayor Bruce Whale asked if the extra cost is a required expense. Lynch explained there is one pole close to the players’ bench and the electrical code comes into effect.

Councillor Neil Driscoll said, “You can’t have electrical in a fall zone.”

He added of costly bureaucracy, “We live by rules and regulations and it costs you thousands of dollars. If the poles fall, overhead wires are the least of our concerns.”