Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX – Council addressed three infrastructure matters at its July 16 meeting, including the outcome of a resident petition on streetlights for McMaster Place in Appin and the appointment of engineers for two drainage improvement projects under Section 78 of the Drainage Act.
The discussion on McMaster Place streetlights followed months of debate and a direction from council earlier this year to consult directly with residents before proceeding. Mauro Castrilli, Public Works Manager, reported that the petition results showed eight property owners opposed to the installation, two in favour, and two who did not respond.
“We need roughly 66.7 per cent of property owners in support for the project,” Castrilli said, noting that the threshold was not met. He recommended deferring the $65,000 project and transferring the approved funds to reserves for future consideration.
Councillor Martin Vink asked about the municipality’s current policy on streetlights in urban areas. Castrilli explained that the design standards require streetlights when new subdivisions are built, but the McMaster Place subdivision predates these standards and does not have curbs, gutters, sidewalks or lighting.
The recommendation to defer the project passed with seven votes in favour and one opposed.
Council then turned its attention to two requests under Section 78 of the Drainage Act, which allows for improvements to existing municipal drains. Drainage Superintendent Andrew Neely presented the first request concerning the McTaggart Branch Drain, located in the former Township of Ekfrid.
“This was a result of landowners on the drain within the watershed being unsatisfied with the way in which the drain was working,” Neely said. He recommended appointing Spriet Associates Engineers & Architects to prepare a new engineer’s report for reconstruction and improvements.
The original McTaggart Branch Drain was constructed in 1974, and there have been no subsequent engineer’s reports. According to municipal documents, previous maintenance efforts such as ditching and flushing have not resolved the landowner’s concerns about water backup during heavy rains. The motion to appoint Spriet Associates carried unanimously.
Neely then introduced a similar request for the Downie Drain in the former Township of Mosa. The project involves replacing a deteriorating bridge and updating the drain’s maintenance schedule. The current engineer’s report dates back to 1950, and Neely noted that “a lot of the watershed has changed significantly upstream” since that time, with new drains and property severances altering flow patterns.
Councillor Vink inquired about the size of the watershed, suggesting it might extend to Wardsville. Neely clarified that the drain does not include the village, but does extend from the old Highway 2 to the river. “The watershed upstream from there is many thousands of acres,” he said, explaining that while most of it is a natural watercourse, the last portion is a municipal drain. Properties in the watershed contribute to costs if the water causes damage.
Council approved appointing Spriet Associates for the Downie Drain project, which will include bridge replacement, improvements, and a revised maintenance schedule.
Both drainage projects will proceed to the engineering phase, with costs to be assessed once the reports are complete. The municipality will be responsible for a proportionate share of the expenses where the drains cross municipal infrastructure.
