Cleanup continues in King

January 29, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
The cleanup and price tag from the recent ice storm continues to rise.
The Township of King is providing cleanup of damaged trees and debris from the ice storm on a priority basis. This is expected to take up to 8-10 weeks.
Mayor Steve Pellegrini joined a contingent of GTA mayors in Mississauga Jan. 17, asking the federal and provincial governments for cleanup funding assistance.
He said it’s great when you speak as a collective voice – something that carries more weight at the upper levels of government.
All of the mayors from impacted communities will incur additional costs and they’re hoping the province and Ottawa can contribute in a meaningful way to offset these costs.
Pellegrini estimated the current tab in King at $121,317 in damage to Township property and infrastructure. He added the municipality is getting into a good financial position, with reserves to help fund infrastructure, and he doesn’t want to see it all used now.
“We can’t keep going to a property tax payer to fund it,” he remarked.
But those costs will rise, well into the spring as the cleanup progresses.
Township staff and contractors are currently cleaning up damaged trees on municipal boulevards that are posing a danger, or blocking roads and sidewalks.
Waste contractor GFL is assisting with special collections through Jan. 31 of yard waste.
Regular yard waste collection will resume in April.
Final removal of all debris will take place in the spring, between April and May.
Residents are permitted to place broken branches, up to 6-inches in diameter, on the boulevard for disposal.
Residents can also drop off any amount of yard waste at the Miller Bloomington Rd. Yard Waste facility, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at no charge.
All wood is being chipped for use as mulch by the Township, or will be composted at the Region’s facility.
York crews are hard at work, and the clean up of broken trees and branches approximately 60 per cent complete on Regional roads.
Across all municipalities, staff are working to address safety-related issues by clearing hazardous downed trees and branches. Efforts are prioritized based on the severity of the situation and completion may take several weeks. Residents are thanked for their continued patience.
Trees along Regional roads will require remedial work including pruning and structural assessment. Inventory and assessment will continue through spring and summer 2014 with replacement beginning in spring 2015.