|
A group of Tiverton residents wants Kincardine council to fix the
poor work done last year on a sidewalk along King Street North,
between Lois and Elizabeth Streets.
In committee-of-the-whole July 8, spokesman Ed Roberts said 53
people have signed a petition, demanding a proper sidewalk with curb
and gutter so water doesn't pour onto their properties and to keep
vehicles off the sidewalk.
The public works committee agreed in May to remediate the site by
adjusting the grade of the existing catch basins in the ditch line
and placing sod at a cost of $10,000 (included in the budget), but
the residents want the sidewalk removed, and replaced with a
curb-faced sidewalk, including associated storm drainage work. Cost
for that would be $58,000, said public works manager Jim O'Rourke,
adding that there is no money available in the 2009 budget.
"We're here to get this mistake rectified," said Roberts. "A curb
would stop vehicles from coming up on the sidewalk. We need to make
this situation safer."
Deputy mayor Laura Haight, chairperson of the public works
committee, said the request last year was for a sidewalk because
there was $20,000 available in the Ward 3 (Tiverton and Bruce
Township) sidewalk reserve, but it was not for a full urban
standard. An additional $58,000 this year would still not provide a
curb and gutter, she said. It's the municipal policy to bring the
sidewalks up to full urban standard when the road is reconstructed,
she said.
"I agreed with the $20,000 sidewalk never imagining we'd be stuck
with this situation," said councillor Randy Roppel (Ward 3). "This
is an unacceptable situation. We set the standard for sidewalks with
curb and gutter for an urban standard and if we deviate from that,
it comes to council to give just cause."
He said he spoke to O'Rourke and the decision to build what is there
now was made by the public works manager, not the public works
committee or council. "He (O'Rourke) agreed that the sidewalk should
be removed and brought up to standard," said Roppel. "It wasn't done
right so $20,000 of the Village of Tiverton taxpayers' money was
wasted on this mistake. We should go back and rectify the situation.
Otherwise, you're saying it's good enough for the people of
Tiverton." (next column)
10/07/2009 11:41 PM
 |
"Don't put words in my mouth," said Haight. "I never said it was good
enough for Tiverton. And if you thought $20,000 would get you full curb
and gutter, you're dreaming in technicolour. The full cost would have
been $130,000."
"It should have been discussed at council, not go ahead and then have to
redo it," said councillor Gordon Campbell.
Councillor Kenneth Craig disagreed with the $58,000 fix and suggested
putting up a visual barrier so motorists know where the roadway ends and
the sidewalk starts.
"On Kincardine Avenue where I live, our sidewalk is just an asphalt
extension," said councillor Guy Anderson. "There's no barrier. We have
to live with it until the municipality reconstructs Kincardine Avenue."
Roppel questioned the $58,000, saying the municipality's own website
shows itemized costs for curb and gutter at $30/metre, concrete at $60/metre,
and asphalt at $30/metre, for a total closer to $25,000. "If you add on
$10,000 for engineering, it's still lower than $58,000."
O'Rourke said that figure was quoted by B.M. Ross and Associates and
includes $5,000 for engineering and $5,000 for a contingency fund.
"I want to see a better price than picking a number out of the air,"
argued Roppel. "We can't verify this price tag."
"You can't verify it until you tender the project," said Haight.
"I have the detailed estimates here which I'd be happy to share with the
people of Tiverton," said O'Rourke.
"The sidewalk was meant as a temporary fix for better footing," said
Haight. "Now, the people don't like it."
"I only had $20,000 to give you," said Roppel.
"The request was for a sidewalk," said Haight.
"I brought the money from the historic reserve for sidewalks for the
people of Tiverton which I represent," said Roppel.
"As do I, as do Ken (Craig), and Marsha (Leggett), and Ron Hewitt and
mayor Larry Kraemer," said Haight. "I fight with my husband too, Randy."
"I feel sorry for him," jabbed Roppel.
Getting back to the issue, Haight suggested council consider
reconstruction of King Street North next spring which would mean the
sidewalk is done to the full urban standard.
Council agreed, with Campbell opposed.
 |
for
world news,
books, sports, movies ...
