OPPOSED:.
Area resident Paul Van Dam speaks in opposition to a proposed pit and quarry.
BURK’S FALLS – Armour Township is going to play hardball if they don’t get dealt into negotiations that will impact their road.
During a July 25 public meeting relating to the proposed development of a pit and quarry at Pegg’s Mountain in Ryerson Township, Armour counc. Pat Hayes announced a resolution passed at Armour Township council only the night before.
The proposed quarry site is in Ryerson Township, however Pegg’s Mountain Road runs through both townships. The first 2 km of the road leading up from Ferguson Road is owned and maintained by the Township of Armour. The proposed pit is located 2.7 km beyond that point in Ryerson Township.
According to the resolution, the traffic impact study submitted by the applicant states that “maintenance issues should be addressed through a haul route agreement between the licensee and the Township of Ryerson.”
The Township of Armour requests they also be named as a party to the agreement.
Hayes stated that Armour Township is endeavouring to undergo a massive rehabilitation of the road.
“The funny thing about numbers is you can make them say whatever you want them to say,” said Hayes referring to applicant’s traffic impact study.
He says the study indicated there will be seven trucks per hour, however Hayes disputes that stating it would more likely be 14 to 15 trucks per house.
“Which means on Pegg’s Mountain Road there will be a truck every 4-and-a-half to five minutes heading one way or the other,” he said.
Hayes, who lives on Pegg’s Mountain Road, says he monitored the traffic from his driveway earlier that evening a noted that from 6 to 6:30 p.m. 32 vehicles passed by, none of which were dump trucks, noting that it is already a very busy road.
Hayes says that Armour’s position is that they be party to the agreement.
“If an agreement can’t be reached between Armour Township and the applicant then there will be load limits and possibly a dead end put on that road,” he said. “They will not be hauling through there.”