Addington Highland's Councl
AH Definitive In Opposition To Alto Train Service
At their previous meeting, Addington Highland's Council tasked Deputy Clerk Patricia Gray with drafting both a township response to the Alto request for input, and a motion about the High-Speed Rail project that Alto is tasked with bringing about.
While the context within which the township was initially operating was the possibility of the train crossing through its borders along the possible “northern corridor” in Eastern Ontario, Council had made it clear they were looking at a broader response.
Gray's background report, which will form the basis of the submission to Alto, begins by saying “The Township of Addington Highlands is opposed to the ALTO High Speed Rail Project”. It says that the township recognises the value of the “intent of creating economic growth, improving track availability for freight trains and improving passenger train service,” but concludes that “the project as planned misses the mark on how to achieve this.”
In outlining the now familiar aspects of the impact the corridor would have on Addington Highlands by effectively “splitting our community in two sections,” it points out that this will be the impact in any community it passes through.”
This position puts the township in good stead with its counterparts at the Lennox and Addington County table.
The township response also highlights the cost of the project, and the impacts of the changes to the expropriation process on property owners.
Alto's sole mandate is to deliver a shovel ready project for the government to green light, or not.
Addington Highland's response goes further than that. In a message directed at the federal government itself, the township is urging decision-makers to “Take a step back and rethink the proposal and whether it is really going to create the long-term benefits that are the basis for its justification.”
Deputy Reeve Ken Hook said that he liked the focus of the response. “When you consider the cost, and the fact that unlike other projects of national interest aimed at getting resources to market for the benefit of the entire economy of Canada, this project does not seem the be the best way to spend that kind of money”.
Load Restrictions in Place
Half-loads came in at the end of last week (they were instituted on Friday, March 6) Public works manager Brett Reavie said that township crews had been busily moving and distributing the remaining salt and sand to the appropriate township yards in advance of that date.
Denbigh Bridge Project
The Public Works department put some limits on a proposed scope of design work for the Denbigh bridge/culvert project from Jewel engineering, bringing the engineering cost from Jewel to $65,000. The box culvert the township is looking at installing, will cost an additional $500,000.
Councillor Kirby Thompson said it is frustrating that “with all the reporting and studies we need to do, the cost will double from the cost of the actual culvert to a million dollars.”
Brett Reavie said he did not see that level of expense for all of the studies and approvals required, including those from the federal ministry of fisheries.
“I think we are looking at a $600,000 total cost for this,” said Reavie.
Slow Start for Building Department
In his monthly report, Chief Building Official / Facilities Manager / Bylaw Officer David Twiddy said that in terms of building permits being taken out, “2026 is off to a very slow start”. He said that there are signs that building inquiries are picking up, however.
The inquiries he has received, include a number of people looking at multi-residential scenarios, which are much needed in the township.
“I am cautiously optimistic about the coming season,” he said.
Wearing his facilities management hat, he said that there have been some roof icing issues, leading to water infiltration at the township owned Lakelands Family Health Team office building in Northbrook. The matter is being dealt wit, he reported, and heat cables will need to be installed on that part of the roof before next winter.
Finally, bylaw enforcement activity has been limited this winter.
“I would just like to get the word out for residents that trailers cannot be resided in, in Addington Highlands. A trailer can be stored on site, but only after the primary residents has been established,” he said.
“There are people living in trailers, it is hard, I know, and woodstoves are being brought in. But you can't have a trailer and be living in it, not in this township.”
Public Satellite Offices
Council received for information a media release from Southeast Public Health from February 17, confirming that plans to close satellite branches, including the Public Health office in Cloyne, have been put on hold. A report is being prepared by a third-party consultant who has been engaged to work on a strategic plan and develop a clear vision for the future.
“Our communities can be proud of this Board, and confident in their skills and expertise, as well as their professionalism, compassion, and dedication. Together, the Board is moving forward to deliver on its strong commitment to the success of the merger, and the strengthening of public health in our region,” said Board chair Nathan Townend, the Warden of Lennox and Addington County.
