Wellington County will create a no-stopping zone for vehicles across from Brisbane Public School and is looking into the possibility of appointing a bylaw officer to enforce the restriction.
On June 23, county council approved the bylaw, at the recommendation of the roads committee, to prohibit vehicles from stopping on the shoulder of Wellington Road 124 in the Town of Erin, opposite the school effective August 1.
The move is a response to concerns about pedestrian safety near the school, where many parents drive their children and park on the county road due to lack of on-site parking.
The recommendation was supported by the police services board, which also recommended the Upper Grand District School Board be advised so that education can be provided by the OPP and the board to parents in advance of the September school start date.
The police services board also recommended the OPP provide enforcement of the no stopping requirement and that the CAO report to the board in the early fall on the potential role/costs of a county bylaw enforcement officer.
“Concerns have been expressed by some, that a no-stopping zone without regular enforcement will be of little value. Appointing a county bylaw officer to pay special attention to this and perhaps other problem areas is an option that would reduce the dependence on the county OPP to enforce this no-stopping zone,” states a report to both boards prepared by county engineer Gord Ough.
Ough noted other possible options that could be enacted once changes the school board is considering for the site are in place and their effectiveness evaluated, include:
– installing flashing lights to remind motorists that there is a school nearby;
– piping the ditch and widening the shoulder of the road on the school side; and
– establishing a “Community Safe Zone” and reducing the 60km/hour zone to a 40km/hour zone during the times that children are being picked up from or delivered to school.
Councillor Alan Alls, the mayor of Erin, put forth a motion they be installed before school begins next fall.
“We’re probably the only municipality where we don’t have flashing lights around a school building,” said Alls.
“I think we should have lights on our school zones – it’s really important,” agreed councillor Gregg Davidson, who seconded the motion.
Councillor Doug Breen asked for clarification on the scope of the motion
“Are we doing this at every school in the county?” he wondered.
“At this stage, I’m only asking for Brisbane – the school is not visible from the highway,” replied Alls.
“I have lots of school zone issues and we all absolutely recognize the safety of the children is paramount,” said councillor Chris White. However, he added he was hesitant to go ahead with installing lights “without having the full scope of what the school board is prepared to do.”
“We’re dealing with safety here … we’ve been here debating this for some time,” said Alls.
“My frustration is building on trying to get something done in terms of what I feel is a very simple solution. I just feel we need to do something and to get going on it. When you see communities all around us that all do it, it’s not new.”
Ough explained if the school board takes the measures anticipated, “then the issue is maybe not a Brisbane issue for the flashing lights. It might be an issue by itself related to everybody else around us is doing it.”
Ough added, “It seems to be a trend – there must be some benefit to it.”
Warden George Bridge noted that while council needed to pass the bylaw right away in order to activate the no-stopping zone, the flashing light issue could be revisited later “if the school board didn’t come though.”
“I have some confidence in the system and I think the best thing to do is wait it out. If (the) school board comes back with what we’re expecting them to come back with, the lights may be seen to be unnecessary or even redundant,” said Breen.
During the discussion, several councillors questioned the appropriateness of Alls making the motion without prior notice.
“Can you just drop a motion in the middle of the room like this?” asked White.
Clerk Donna Bryce explained the motion could be allowed because the matter was related to the non-stopping bylaw which was contained in the road committee report.
While stating he felt the flashing lights were “a great idea,” councillor Kelly Linton pointed out, “For our standing committees to work properly we can’t just shuttle in motions like this … we’re setting a precedent here.”
“I agree with councillor Linton. We don’t want to set a precedent here,” said councillor Don MacKay.
Alls agreed to withdraw his motion on the lights, stating, “I think I made my point. I’m also politically smart enough to know where this is going.”
Bridge suggested the county should, “keep on the school board to make sure they don’t drag their feet through the summer.”
