Melancthon council to oppose quarry

To the apparent surprise of some in the gallery at Melancthon council last Thursday, Mayor Debbie Fawcett stated unequivocally that the council is not in favour of a 2,400-acre quarry.

And, to protestations from the gallery that it was the first time she or the council had stated its position, the mayor said she had said the same at The Highland Companies' open house.

Further, she suggested the council's position on quarries had been made clear when it opposed a Strada Aggregates proposal that would have resulted in a "50-acre lake."

"This is different. They would return (the 2,400 acres) to agriculture. They have to prove to us that (the technology will work). But even then I don't think it would get unanimous approval of this council."

Her statement might have been in part an allusion to the Ontario Municipal Board, where the ultimate decision on rezoning is likely to rest — provided that Highland obtains its necessary permit from the Ministry of Environment.

The stated position of the council might not have come as a surprise to a Highland representative. Outside the meeting, Michael Daniher said the company's position remains unchanged.

"This will not alter our plan to apply for a project we believe will bring a number of benefits to the community," he said.

The council has been under pressure since the beginning of the year to take a more proactive approach in opposition to a quarry for which it has yet to see an application.

Last week, resident Karren Wallace submitted a letter in which she accused the council of inaction on 17 items she felt should have been done, but of "fulsome discussion and immediate action" on "protecting ratepayers from the invasive species giant hogweed" and of "lobbying together with the Highland Companies for a YMCA in Shelburne."

The alleged inaction of the council was largely related to demolition of residential and farm buildings on property now owned by Highland. Ms. Wallace, along with members of North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce, want the council to take measures to preserve the farmsteads either by prohibiting demolitions or by declaring them as heritage buildings.

Additionally, they want the council to designate the Honeywood area as "speciality crop" because of the nature of the soil, they say.

Responding to a question from resident Rob Uffen last week, Deputy Mayor Bill Hill said he would not introduce a resolution respecting demolitions as buildings are already subject to the Planning Act, the Property Standards bylaw and Building Code. He said the county issues permits to construct a building, or one to tear it down. Any resolution otherwise would be meaningless, he said, as the rules are already on the books.

On the Wallace letter, read by Sue Sanford in the absence of Ms. Wallace, Councillor Bev Kumprey said she "took offence" at many of its statements.

Deputy Hill said there has to be a response to "correct inaccuracies" of 19 points in the letter.

"I strongly suggest council respond, correct inaccuracies. We have to do that. I want to respond to this," he said.