Councillor fears flooding in Drayton

Mapleton council plans to arrange a meeting with Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) officials over concerns about potential flooding in Drayton.

Councillor  Andy Knetsch raised the issue at the Jan. 8 council meeting.

Knetsch said he feels the river should be dredged through parts of the village, considering the investment local residents have made in businesses and homes in the area.

“We’ve got $50,000 in reserves to do something with the river,” he noted.

It was pointed out that in previous meetings, GRCA officials have stated dredging would have no impact on potential flooding in the area. However Knetsch disagreed.

“I don’t buy that,” he said.

Public works director Larry Lynch suggested the authority might be more interested in doing the work on a cost-shared basis with the municipality. However, he cautioned the costs for the work might be higher than council members anticipate.

Lynch also said it’s possible that dredging through Drayton might simply let the water move through the village, only to get caught up further down the line.

“It might not necessarily mean it flows smoothly right through to the lake.”

Council agreed to set up a meeting for further discussion on the issue with the GRCA.