Residents to cover portion of $190,000 Guelph-Eramosa drainage project
Guelph-Eramosa council will be hosting a public meeting on June 21 regarding its plans for a $190,000 drainage project.
About four years ago, residents living on 8th Line East near County Road 86 presented council with a petition expressing concern that a residential development was proposed for an area already flooded, thanks to an undersized culvert along the county road.
The proposed drainage work will include adding a second culvert on County Road 86, enlarging a culvert on Schaefer Road, deepening open ditches and adding two culverts on private property.
“I personally think there will be a tremendous benefit,” said township drainage engineer Tom Pridham, of R.J. Burnside and Associates.
Sixty-six residents will be on the hook for $68,414 of the cost, with individual landowner costs ranging from $75 to $9,514 depending on the benefit they receive from the work (the latter was for an owner receiving a culvert on private property).
Chief Administrative Officer?Janice Sheppard said the township is offering landowners the option of a payment plan, particularly those faced with large bills for the drainage work.
Pridham told council most affected residents had seen the proposed “construction assessment schedule” and did not seem opposed to the values contained therein.
“They’ve been well treated, to be honest with you,” Pridham said of the affected landowners.
He explained the next steps will be a “consideration report,” a public meeting on June 21, a court of revision date on Aug. 3 and, providing there are no appeals to the Ontario Drainage Tribunal, a bylaw on Sept. 7.
Council voted to proceed with a June 21 public meeting.
