Speeding issues focus of community meeting

October 30, 2015 · 0 Comments

The Mayor of Melancthon says a community information meeting for residents at Corbetton Hall went well October 22nd with about 30 people in attendance. Mayor White says, “The main topic was speeding in the villages and other traffic safety issues, such as ATV ‘off roading’ on private property and other property crime.”
A panel, which included David Thwaits Chair of the Police Board, Dave Besley Melancthon Councillor and member of the Police Board, Mayor Darren White, and two members of the Dufferin detachment of the OPP: Staff Sergeant Steven Sills and Constable Paul Nancekivell, spoke to the audience about safety issues including speeding, neighbourhood watch, break and enter, phone fraud and Internet crime.
Mayor White says the public were represented by residents from Corbetton, Riverview and surrounding area, “They asked a lot of questions and had a great discussion on bio solids (i.e. Lystek products outside of Dundalk) and things like large farm equipment driving too fast” through Melancthon hamlets.
The OPP told the audience that the Dufferin detachment was made up of 24 Constables, 1 Sergeant and 1 Staff Sergeant and that their main focus areas included traffic, property crime and keeping a visible presence in the County. They said traffic surveillance is conducted in high collision areas, specifically highways and County roads, but that focus patrols can arise from specific complaints from residents.
Constable Paul Nancekivell, who is charge of youth programs, spoke about Neighbourhood Watch, saying it was good for small communities, and that the use of Internet Yahoo groups has improved communications. The Constable goes into local schools to educate youth and teachers about cyber bullying, Internet locks, Internet predators, and give warnings about the danger and longevity of Internet photos on sites such as Snap Chat.
Regarding ATV’s, the OPP Officers said, in North Dufferin, ATV’s are almost a tourist attraction – people from the city come up to the area to go ‘off-roading’; police can make sure they are licensed and insured. There were also citizen complaints about hunters walking on private property. The OPP said residents should ask them to leave and call police if they don’t comply.
Concerns about the health safety of Lystek sludge were expressed at the meeting, specifically regarding spreading it during rain and having it sit on top of the soil, which residents say is not allowed. The Mayor said Lystek was monitored by the Ministry of the Environment, but resident advice from the audience was to “get your water tested” if you have concerns. Regarding the Lystek issues, Mayor White told The Free Press, “We are providing some information to residents who had questions and they will get back to us after the have had a chance to look at it.”
Speeding through the small hamlets of Riverview and Corbetton was a main focus of residents attending the meeting. Reports of Police in Horning’s Mills clocking drivers at over 100 km an hour and another report of 40% of the drivers going 70km or faster through Corbetton have residents, especially those with children, on edge. There were also concerns about rapidly moving farm equipment through the towns.
The constables said there were unmarked police cars out catching speeders, but that residents should report unsafe activity, take cell phone photos and write down descriptions to aid police in curbing speeding and other illicit activity.
One Corbetton resident worried about drivers going 100 km/hr in the hamlet’s 50km/hour zone, invited the OPP to sit in her driveway to catch speeders. Residents wanted more signs warning drivers to slow down and the Constables spoke of radar speed signs at a cost of approximately $5000 each; the Mayor suggested the possibility of speed bumps in the villages.
The discussion included plans for a parkette in Corbetton to get the kids off the street where speeding is occurring. The park will be completed late in the spring of 2016 with a paved section for street hockey, a gazebo and a play set. The township requires a five team board of management for upkeep. Mayor White says he felt, “All and all it was a great meeting. There will be discussion at Council and ultimately some new actions will be taken.”

By Marni Walsh