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Drainage problems

Since my cottage is affected by the drainage issue (#137 & 137-2), I have been very interested in the engineering company's presentation and took the time to come to Ripley especially for the October 21st meeting. I was particularly annoyed that the HK council meeting was scheduled for voting day (for the federal election), since I had been at the cottage over the Thanksgiving weekend when advanced polls were held at home (Toronto), so had to vote on voting day before coming up to Bruce Beach. Also, since most cottagers would have closed for the winter, they were not able or willing to attend that meeting. I counted about 8 cottagers who did attend.

Since it was not advertised as a public meeting (it was called an information meeting), questions and comments were not allowed from the floor. Mayor Twolan would only allow one speaker to represent the cottagers, and so Al Brezina (President of Bruce Beach Cottagers' Association, Areas 8, 10, 11 & Cameron Grove) spoke on our behalf. He was limited to about 2 minutes, but in that time, he protested the timing of the meetings, and the major cost of the two related projects. Council refused to delay holding meetings until next Spring, saying that that would delay the whole project another year, and would result in a 10% increase in the cost. After that, we were advised by Mayor Twolan that the next part of the HK Council meeting was a closed session, and we should please leave the room. In and out in less than an hour.

I still have questions and comments. First, why has council invoked the Drainage Act (meaning that contributors or benefit receivers pay) when this should probably be treated as part of normal road maintenance, possibly requiring municipal storm sewers. Bruce Beach Road is not a private road. It is a public road, used by tourists, visitors, school buses, emergency vehicles, as well as cottagers. If flooding happened in Ripley or Lucknow on a public road, the local taxes would be used to address the issue. So, why not here? I'll hazard a guess that the HK Council doesn't want to cover the entire cost, so this provides a source of funds that will help solve the problem.

But the source of the drainage problems may not have been fully investigated yet, as so many other cottagers have already commented. It may be that more can be done to limit the amount of water flowing downhill onto BB Road. I like the solution to the problem at the 8th concession, with the storm water management pond. Perhaps there should be another further north, near the 10th?

But then there is the issue of locating gullies and trenches and drains on private property. That gully at #98 goes over private property and empties into the lake. During a very bad storm several years ago, the gully overflowed and destroyed the cottage beside it. That cottage has since been rebuilt but now the owner is unable to get insurance coverage. The gully should be decommissioned and the solution at the 8th concession (on township land) should accommodate the diverted water. Perhaps there should be municipal storm sewers installed along the west side of Lake Range Drive? Has this possibility been explored?

The big issue for most cottagers is the COST. When homes or cottages are vulnerable to damage or destruction from flooding, of course we must act. But that is not the case with the Highland Drive end. It certainly is the case at #98. But plans for the proposed storm water management pond and pipe down the road allowance of the 8th concession do not mention closing off that gully at #98. In my mind, this is unacceptable.

I think that the engineers have done a good preliminary job, but that there is more investigation that must be done before a satisfactory solution can be found. I believe that Council should take a step back and seriously consider whether the proposed solution will solve our problems appropriately.

Thank you to haveyoursayhk.ca for allowing us to express our concerns.

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