The regular meeting of council for the Town of Carlyle met on Wednesday, June 25. With a full agenda the councillors began discussing different points, but became invested in the drainage issues along Carlyle Avenue.
Drainage along Carlyle Ave
Councillors met with Leo Grossman prior to the meeting to discuss drainage around Lions Park. Together they agreed that the old drainage ditch would be reopened to alleviate strains of water pooling during heavy rain on Carlyle Ave.
This topic was then discussed further, taking up the majority of the evening.
Gilles Matthewson was asked to attend the Wednesday night meeting as a homeowner along the area being affected, but also for his expertise in suggesting a route for the drainage ditch.
He brought forth concerns from his neighbours and himself with placing the drainage ditch right next to the back alley, suggesting that they leave a buffer area between the ditch and the road because of how the alley already floods.
The alley is said to also be low and should be built up, but this will put one neighbour in a bind as their yard is lower than the rest.
He also suggested a "v" shape for the ditch and recommended the town add a few extra culverts throughout the area as the ones currently in place are not handling the mass of water.
Councillors then discussed Matthewson's concerns and suggestions before making decisions on the route of the drainage ditch and what is to be done to alleviate the stress of water in this area of town.
In the end they decided to reopen the drainage ditch through Lions Park as was proposed. Dirt excavated in this section will be pushed into Lions Park to raise it slightly, thus allowing for better drainage and helping ensure the campground doesn't flood as they have been having issues with water the past few years as well.
Near the culvert at the end the "v" of the ditch is to be deepened and widened for a distance of approximately 250 feet.
Between the culverts and the walking bridge the ditch will be continued with the proper grade to allow for drainage, while another culvert will be added under the bridge. The councillors also believe the bridge will need to be replaced.
Approaching the bridge from the other side, they will look at leaving a 10 ft buffer zone between the back alley and the beginning of the ditch as per Matthewson's suggestion. The ditch here will then be 30 feet across to allow for the town's lawn mower to keep vegetation down when dry enough.
The width of the ditch as it approaches the bridge will be narrowed slightly to allow for passage under the bridge and to avoid taking out an abundance of trees through Lions Park. Some trees will be lost but the majority of these have been under water the last two years and are slowly dying due being drowned out.
The culverts behind one of the homes will be reshaped properly as currently they are not draining. This was likely due to concerns by those who placed them about gas or power lines through this area.
In addition to this the town will build up the alley with the excavated material by six or eight inches. This will assist with drainage and ensuring the alley doesn't flood. Concerned with the one low lying lot which will be affected, the town has decided to offer them fill for their lot to build it up as well as grass seed.
Bylaws
Numerous bylaws were read and amended including 2014-05 A Bylaw to Amend Bylaw No. 2010-06, The Zoning Bylaw; 2014-06 A Bylaw to Amend Bylaw No. 2822, the Building Bylaw; 2014-07 A Bylaw to Set Fees for the collection of Waste Material; 2014-08 A Bylaw to Provide for the Collection of Waste and Other Refuse; and 2014-09 A Bylaw to Amend Bylaw No. 2820, the Traffic Bylaw.
Other discussion
Prior to delving into the drainage issue councillors spoke to a few other concerns including a fibre optics cable meant to be put in along Railway Ave. The company was looking to put it two feet deep, but the town will ask them to possibly put it deeper as if hit the cable can apparently cost upwards of $100,000 to fix or replace.
There was a truck marked with dangerous goods, which had been seen down Main Street. A letter will be sent out to businesses to remind them of utilizing the designated truck routes through town.
Municipal Tax Solutions was further discussed. It is similar to a collection agency. This was decided against at the moment, but may be readdressed in the future if issues arise in tax collection.
