Reconsideration of Hillsburgh pit fill project deferred to next council term
ERIN – After nearly a year of resident opposition to the Hillsburgh gravel pit commercial fill project, the issue has been deferred to the next term of council.
The project, which was approved in January, will see 5.36 million cubic metres of fill brought in over 20 years. The project will also see roughly 150 trucks per day arriving and leaving the site.
Resident Paul Campbell delegated to council on Oct. 8 and spoke to the “potential poisoning” of Erin’s groundwater, as fill will be dumped into a pond on the property, which was created by mining below the water table.
“He could literally be dumping foreign fill into that lake, which is our groundwater,” said Campbell.
He asked that a member of council put forward a motion to reconsider or stop the project.
“Is this your legacy? Is your legacy going to say we’re afraid to be sued by this guy?” asked Campbell.
Councillor Cathy Aylard asked town clerk Justin Grainger if she could bring forward a motion, which prompted council to take a brief recess.
“I did not support this; does that mean I cannot put forward a motion?” asked Aylard.
Following the recess, CAO Rob Adams made a statement, letting council know that it would not be possible to put forth a motion without legal ramifications, as the contract has been signed and is underway.
“Staff have gone back to legal counsel, and our legal counsel has advised that we have entered into an agreement and that we need to be cautious about breaking the agreement and the consequences of that,” said Adams.
“And that legal counsel needs to do a thorough review of the matter prior to council making any decision.”
Councillor Bridget Ryan asked if a special council meeting would be called at a later date so the current council could potentially put forward a motion.
Adams said this was unlikely and that “councils change, that’s the reality of it.”
According to staff, the gravel pit will be brought up most likely at the second meeting of the new council.
