Councillor Andy Knetsch served notice on Sept. 13 he will be bringing up an issue of the river running through Drayton and what can be done to make things safer for the village and its citizens.
Knetsch said there is concern about the abandoned railway lands along the river, and the dirt and gravel continually being deposited in the river.
He said the last studies are old but they show problems with the north face on the east side of the Conestogo River, “because the river is doing damage.”
He added people in the downtown are concerned because there have been floods in the past.
Knetsch is also concerned about safety and said the Drayton Fire Department has done simulated exercises in the area. Knetsch said it seems to the experts it is “not if, but when somebody falls down that cliff and gets hurt or killed.”
He said he wants to “sit down with CN and the Grand River Conservation Authority and find a solution.”
He added, “Someone who lives close has also expressed similar concerns.”
Knetsch said he has already talked with Pat Salter, Mapleton’s representative on the GRCA board of directors, about the issue and she is taking the matter up with that group.
