Jennifer Smith

There will be a public information meeting on Wednesday, January 12th at High Foster Hall from 6:00-8:00 pm regarding the planned 'urbanization' of Oak St, Bruce St, Court St and Ashbrook Court. The plan is to install new storm sewers on these streets, plus curbs and new sidewalks on Oak and Ashbrook, plus watermain and sanitary sewer work on just Ashbrook.

Oak Street

The plans are in their final stages at this point, but it's always a good idea to stay informed whenever these 'street urbanization' projects move forward. Too often people aren't aware of what the plans are until construction starts and it's too late to provide any input.

A case in point is the reconstruction of Queen Street a year and a half ago. That project was put before residents at two public meetings where they were given a choice between keeping sidewalks on both sides of the street, or getting rid of one sidewalk so they could widen the road enough to allow for street parking.

The vast majority of those who attended the meetings opted for option one (two sidewalks, no parking), but either there weren't enough residents at the meetings or their councillor developed selective amnesia because Queen Street parking was somehow resurrected as an issue during the election last summer as if those meetings had never occurred.

In the case of Oak Street and Ashbrook, public meetings were held three years ago and again two years ago asking for feedback on the design plans. There were concerns raised about the loss of some trees and the bottom ends of people's driveways, many concerns about lousy drainage, and several people were adamant about not wanting a sidewalk on Ashbrook. On that last, while I can see their point (Ashbrook is a cul-de-sac), I used to have my workshop down there and I can attest to how difficult it is walking in the street during the winter or even during a heavy rain.

Anyway, if you live in the area and want one last chance to put in your two cents, come on down to the meeting.