Klein's roundabout drive gains traction
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Councillor Marty Klein’s drive for a local detour around a proposed roundabout project gained traction during Thursday’s meeting of open council.
Council met that evening due to major municipal conferences earlier in the week. Inside council chambers Thursday, Klein presented a notice of motion resolving ‘The Town of Tillsonburg appeal to the Province of Ontario, Ministry of Transportation, to look at a local detour rather than the detour as presented to Tillsonburg Town Council on February 11, 2013; and further resolving that the town request Bayham Township join in the appeal to the province.’
Klein initially raised the issue of a local detour during a presentation to council by Consultant Project Manager Dan Green and MTO Project Engineer Frank Hochstenbach. The councillor’s efforts to have at least its potential included in an official report were ultimately frustrated.
Feedback following a story published in the February 20 edition of The Tillsonburg Independent News under the headline ‘Councillor Klein hits dead end,’ outlining the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Highway #3 and Vienna Road along with Klein’s frustration, indicated to the councillor the issue was one worth pursuing.
“I’ve had more comments on this than any other issue since being on council,” he said Thursday.
Klein also indicated the online version of the story published on The Tillsonburg News website (www.tillsonburgnews.com) had generated additional posted commentary.
“This is obviously a significant issue for us and our neighbours.”
Council was onboard with Klein’s motion, tweaking its text and broadening its scope, rather than disagreeing with its base intent.
Mayor John Lessif indicated he had updated the County of Oxford on the motion via email, and expressed his opinion the county should be included in the resolution because it is responsible for EMS services into the upper end of Bayham.
“I think it would be nice to include them in the resolution.”
Councillor Dave Beres noted The Municipality of Bayham’s proper title (versus Bayham Township), suggesting if the appeal was being sent to the MTO, “we’d better have that right.”
Klein altered his motion as suggested, mentioning the addition of The Municipality of Bayham and counties of Oxford and Norfolk, the latter he explained later, due to the fact there is a narrow strip of Norfolk immediately south of Highway #3 between The Town of Tillsonburg and Bayham.
“Could I add one more?” inquired Mayor Lessif.
“Am I your secretary now?” Klein quipped in return with a smile, before acquiescing to the mayor’s request to include Elgin County on an amended motion, which received broad council support.