Puslinch council is willing to support the establishment of a community safety zone through Morriston.
Those caught speeding in designated areas face increased fines.
Bill Knetsch and Sarah Wilhelm were before council recently to speak about one of the components of the traffic calming initiative in Morriston.
“There were a number of interim solutions we wanted to look at regarding traffic calming prior to a [Highway 6] bypass being built,” Wilhelm said, noting the minutes from a Sept. 28 meeting of a local traffic calming group.
The proposal for a Morriston community safety zone was one of those ideas, she said.
Wilhelm, who is a county planner, noted there are some accomplishments already, including the installation of enlarged speed limit signs.
She added the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has also agreed to “zebra striping” at the crossing for the main intersection in Morriston.
Wilhelm said there may be the potential of further upgrades, “but this is a new area for them.” She added there was also a meeting with MTO representatives in early March.
“They are continuing to cooperate with us,” Wilhelm said, adding work is being done to work on the issues which can realistically be tackled.
Three key areas are: landscaping, lighting and signage.
She said this could include signs at community entrances, possibly banners and an enhanced boundary sign – “which would include a logo and tagline for Morriston.”
She added, “We’ll try to pull some plans together for MTO to respond to, then report back to council.”
In addition, Wilhelm said there would be an investigation into possible grants to help pay for the improvements.
The current request for a community safety zone, said Wilhelm, “is an initiative of (Bill) Knetsch.”
She noted “Bill quite rightly said we’re really just discussing for two signs …
“But to accomplish this is quite a task.”
The sign locations would be at Currie Drive in the north, and 100 metres south of Church Street in the south of Morriston.
Wilhelm said the move would result in increased fines where public safety is considered a concern.
She added ultimately the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services would deal with the matter because it is a provincial highway.
Wilhelm said asking for council support is part of the process.
Once council’s support is in place, Wilhelm said the request would be forwarded to the Ontario Provincial Police, which would in turn forward it to the ministry.
Knetsch said, “It is encouraging to me to get that. I think we are in the middle of a process and I think we are moving forward.”
Councillor Susan Fielding considered Knetsch a champion of the cause.
Fielding said after re-reading the Sept. 28 meeting minutes, she felt the MTO was very non-committal.
“I’m very skeptical as to what they will really let us do,” Fielding added. She asked Wilhelm if anything has changed since then.
“Do you feel a door is opening?” Fielding asked. “There seems to be a different message.”
Wilhelm replied, “I feel the door has opened – a crack. I’m cautiously optimistic.” She said MTO representatives seemed more positive to certain aspects of the initiative.
“Some of what we are asking for is new – and they would have to look at it as a pilot.”
Wilhelm said she now has a better idea which aspects of the initiative have the best chance of success.
Fielding said, “Overall, it would be a nice visual enhancement” to Morriston if additional landscaping could be installed.
Knetsch said while there are locations where trees can be planted, he believed the challenge will be the location of utility lines.
“Even though the MTO may allow us to plant trees, utility lines might restrict what can be done,” he said.
“The recent meetings with the MTO have been amazing. They are very cooperative. At this point they are looking at Morriston as an isolated case.”
Councillor Wayne Stokley commended those involved in the community initiative.
“Something has to be done … obviously. I glad we’re still moving forward,” said Stokley.
Mayor Dennis Lever agreed the traffic calming proposal “is very much a grass-roots initiative.”
Council quickly passed a resolution to support the establishment of a community safety zone in the village of Morriston.
