Staff costing out veterans’ crosswalks following council support, motion

ELORA – The Elora and Fergus Legions just might get their veterans’ crosswalks after all.

Centre Wellington council certainly was willing to entertain the idea on May 11 and directed staff to return with more information, even after staff recommended not allowing the colourful crosswalks in the township.

Local resident Randy Vaine, Elora Legion president Don Cubbage and Fergus Legion president Randy Graham delegated to council seeking the extra consideration for veterans – a permanent and year-round tribute that extends beyond Remembrance Day, they said.

The crosswalks are painted with red and white stripes and often have a maple leaf or an image of a veteran. According to the Canadian Legion, they cannot have the poppy symbol or the Canadian flag.

Vaine had delegated to council last fall hoping the township would approve the plan and have crosswalks installed across from the Elora and Fergus cenotaphs in time for Remembrance Day.

Council sent the question to its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisory committee, which along with staff did not recommend installing the crosswalks.

According to the report by manager of community development Kristen Bettiol:

• paint quickly degrades due to winter weather, salt/sand application and friction from snow plowing and vehicle tires;
• paint colours may not effectively bind to the asphalt;
• non-standard decorative crosswalks can be targets of vandalism;
• annual touch-ups would be required and the entire crosswalk painting will need to be replaced every three to five years, depending on the initial paint material/method, resulting in high operating costs;
• decorative crosswalks are not recognized under the Highway Traffic Act and may create confusion among drivers and pedestrians resulting in safety concerns; and
• accessibility / AODA compliance – for people with low vision, faded colours or busy patterns can be disorienting.

Bettiol noted the township does many things to honour veterans including:

• installation and removal of remembrance banners in Elora and Fergus;
• maintenance of cenotaph grounds in Elora, Salem, Fergus and Belwood;
• road closures for Remembrance Day parades;
• annual Specific Stream funding for Remembrance Day wreaths as part of the Community Investment Fund;
• council participation in ceremonies and events; and
• maintenance and ceremonial management of cenotaph flagpoles.

And with the Inclusive Community Policy in place, there would be opportunity for new methods for honouring veterans through illumination of township sites, media displays and clear procedures related to half-masting and the display of flags on community flagpoles.

Vaine discounted the objections and said there are 110 veterans’ crosswalks in cities across Canada that have been installed and maintained without incident.

Cubbage said the Elora Legion is willing to contribute $500 annually toward touch-ups if requested.

Graham said the staff recommendation “is not the path to take. We are hopeful council will see this as a timely and progressive move forward.”

Council got tripped up on the Inclusive Community Policy and the recommendation about the veterans’ crosswalks, which were both discussed in the same report.

The Inclusive Community Policy is intended to provide a clear framework around flag displays, half-masting, illumination, recognition in public spaces and the township’s diversity calendar to recognize special days and months such as Remembrance Day, Pride Month and National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, among others.

Managing director of community services Adam Gilmore said the policy does not preclude the crosswalks.

Council supported the policy and it passed. But councillors also wanted the crosswalks handled separately.

They passed a motion to have staff meet with the Legions and staff at Wellington County, as some crosswalks would be on a county road, and to investigate the cost of installing the crosswalks. 

Staff are expected to return to council later this month with an update.