Mount Zion farmers press council for road work

Curtis Royal spoke at a budget public meeting Monday, expressing disappointment that Mount Zion roads are not included in the 2019-2023 road construction schedule. 

“Our request has fallen on deaf ears,” he said. 

Royal was part of a delegation of farmers who live and work in an area called Mount Zion, out the Caroline Street West extension, southwest of Creemore. They had gone before Clearview council in the spring to ask for improvements to the area roads, Concession 5 South Nottawasaga, the 3-4 Sideroad and the Nottawasaga/Mulmur Townline. He said they asked for a response from the municipality, and have heard nothing. 

“The Mount Zion farming community is possibly one of the highest in agricultural economic activity in the township,” said Royal. “Our truck traffic, unlike many of the other gravel township roads, is 365 days a year. If it isn’t feed and cattle trucks, it’s tractors and equipment going in or out. We can’t have our suppliers refusing to deliver because of the state of our roads, whether for potholes, mud, ice, snow, or lack of sanding. We won’t be in business for long at that rate. Therefore we need our roads built up and maintained to a higher standard,” he continued.

“The assessments on farm land over the last four years have increased 80-120 per cent and continue to increase. We would like to see some benefit of these increases made to our roads,” he said. “We are pleased that you recognize agriculture as the number one economic engine of the township, so you can see how we feel you are failing to provide the good and safe roads necessary to run our business.”  

At the Jan. 25, Councillor Thom Paterson made a recommendation to develop a comprehensive road improvement and maintenance plan for Mount Zion. (In May, a motion was made to have staff report back on before July 27.)

“We are going to stick to our guns,” said Royal. “We are not going away.”

Roads scheduled for paving or repairs in 2019: 

• Mary Street: Francis to Nelson; 

• Switzer Street: Windatt Subdivision; 

• Concession 2: Centre Line to 3/4 Sideroad; 

• County Road 91: Concession 10 to 800m west; 

• 3/4 Sideroad: Concession 2 to County Road 9; 

• Concession 3: 358m east of George to 6/7 Sideroad;  

• Margaret Street: County Road 42 to Clarence; 

• Intersection of Concession 10 and 33/34 Sideroad; 

• Sutherland Street: Quebec to Warden; 

• Sutherland Street: Warden to Centre; 

• Cedar Street: William to Charles; 

• Hogback Road: County Road 9 to 200m south; 

• Centreline Road: Concession 2 to County Road 9.