By Stephen Hawboldt
The Spectator
NovaNewsNow.com
While provincial roads are normally the responsibility of the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Annapolis County councillors waded in on two unrelated issues pertaining to provincial roads at their committee-of-the-whole council last week.
The first has to do with a driveway on a sharp curve on Old Mill Road in the Wilmot area. County staff reported that a driveway prevents the Department Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal from extending the guardrail to reduce any safety hazard. The driveway could potentially be rerouted to the abutting Adam Drive but there is a tiny sliver of land that is slated to go to tax sale that must be crossed to gain access. Unless the driveway owner receives the right to cross this orphaned fragment of property, the driveway cannot be relocated.
Councillor Brian “Fuzzy” Connell reported to the council that the county needs to do something, “because DOT can’t.” When Councillor Connell proposed a motion, the county’s chief administrative officer suggested that “for appearances” someone other that Councillor Connell might wish to make this motion. Councillor Connell is an employee of the department. Councillors Trimper and Hemming made a motion instructing the county to purchase this land when it comes up for tax sale and add it to the Adam Drive right-of-way.
The second, unrelated issue revolved around the maintenance of little used provincial roads, known in the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal as I/H class roadways. Councillor Connell said that due to “provincial cutbacks” these roads are not being maintained by the province and were in danger of becoming impassable. It was agreed that county council would write a letter to the province expressing their concern. Councillor Connell reported to council that he “told his area manager (for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal) that he would make this request.”
Both issues are recommendations to the November session of County Council.
