It’s potentially good News for Cedar Valley – not so much for Station Road in Hillsburgh.
It seems the last round of funding applications for the Station Road dam reconstruction project was unsuccessful.
As a result, staff sought direction where it should apply in the current infrastructure fund applications – which covers up to 90% of the cost.
CAO Frank Miele told councillors late last month that before an application is made, staff needed a resolution as part of that application to the government.
He stressed the town could only make application for one project.
He said the Station Road dam project was initially undertaken in anticipation of the federal CIIF program.
“Unfortunately we were denied those funds,” which Miele said was the only chance to get 90% funding for the $2 million request.
Roads superintendent Larry VanWyck also presented a report outlining various options for the Station Road dam project.
However as council was asked for a request to apply for MIII funding, councillor John Brennan wanted to know why the other funding was denied.
VanWyck said “there is no information as to who was successful or why.” He said the town only received a letter that it was unsuccessful in its application.
Mayor Lou Maieron said at a political level, he had a concern “going back to the well for a project which was declined [for funding] with no reason.”
Maieron added only $90 million is available in this infrastructure program – but now the town is considering asking double what it asked for in the first round.
“We were turned down for $1 million, but are now asking for $2 million.”
Maieron anticipated numerous municipalities in the province will also be applying for the funding.
“Unfortunately we did not receive any information as to why we were denied. This is a bit like gambling.”
He suggested a lower- priced project might have a better chance of being accepted.
And, of the projects under consideration, one was on the books for some time, while the other only recently came onto the five-year plan.
While Maieron agreed the Station Road project has a considerable cost, “the Cedar Valley project at $600,000 versus not getting any part of $2 million is difficult for the municipal taxpayers.”
He said it might make more sense to apply for the medium cost project, if there is more chance of it getting approved.
Maieron added there are a number of ways which the Station Road dam could be dealt with. He believed there are still a number of unanswered questions, including a final cost.
The only current decision was to proceed with the temporary work to re-open the road, as compared to the long-term solution which has yet to be determined.
Councillor Barb Tocher said the current applications also need to deal with health and safety issues.
She said the estimated cost of the Station Road bridge and dam repair and replacement is set at $2.6 million – qualifying for $2 million.
“It just seemed that this project fit the criteria perfectly.”
Tocher added the Ministry of Natural Resources has also mandated there be a permanent solution within two years. “Whether we want it to or not, it has become a priority.”
Councillor Josie Wintersinger said the Station Road dam project was applied for – and turned down.
She said in this round of applications, the town can only apply for one project.
“If we don’t get it – then we’ve got nothing.”
Regardless of the MNR mandate, Wintersinger did not believe the town has the money to take on the Station Road bridge/dam project at this time.
“As far as I am concerned, you cannot get blood out of a stone.”
Wintersinger favoured making the application for the Cedar Valley project since it would have a big impact on the community.
“I don’t feel we can afford $2 million, nor can we afford to borrow the money. I don’t think the taxpayers can carry it.”
Brennan shared similar concerns but clarified the previous fund applied for was federal while the current round is provincial.
While the bridge in Hillsburgh meets the criteria, Brennan was uncertain of the case of urgency for the Cedar Valley bridge.
Brennan agreed he would rather the municipality receive $600,000 than miss out completely.
But Brennan said the bridge issues are not going to go away “no matter what we do.”
He said even if the choice was a repair resulting in the loss of the Hillsburgh Pond, there are still significant costs.
Maieron said Station Road at the dam is currently safe.
He also said that the concern being raised was whether or not the pond would be retained.
However, he said he had heard from equal numbers of area residents both in favour of keeping the pond, and those not minding if the pond was lost.
Tocher responded that she’d repeatedly asked for that discussion to happen, but it never got onto the agenda.
Maieron said he would love to have a meeting to hear from members of the public.
Council’s resolution was to apply for funding of the Cedar Valley (bridge 2061) as its top priority.
