King City roads get priority in funding initiative
By Bill Rea

The province has a new funding initiative for rural infrastructure, and the Township is hoping some of that money can go toward reconstructing roads in King City.

Township Director of Operations Jody LaPlante reported the Province announced the initiative last month as a one-time, $70 million program aimed at helping rural and small municipalities provide safe and reliable local infrastructure. The money is to be available for " c o n s t r u c t i o n - r e a d y ' projects involving local roads and bridges; clean water and wastewater; solid waste management; sports, recreation and culture; and community energy. LaPlante added projects on which construction has already started prior to approval will not be eligible for funding, and applications close at noon Feb. 5, with the money being forwarded to the successful applicants by the end of March.

LaPlante stated there are about 375 municipalities that might be eligible for this $70 million, meaning if each one applies successfully, they will be getting about $190,000 each.

He added a couple of possible projects were considered, but the roads in King City were judged to be the the most promising, with construction ready to go, but not yet started.

LaPlante's report also stated about $2.5 million is proposed for this year's capital budget for reconstructing roads in the village. These projects have been put off for some years in anticipation of the sewers going in.

Kettleby resident Bob Martin voiced concern that this was another expense associated with the cost of installing the sewers in the village, but LaPlante countered the plan has always been to finance the road reconstruction through taxes. He added these roads have not been maintained because the sewers were expected.

Mayor Margaret Black confirmed that, pointing out operations staff had reported in 1991, when she was first elected to council, that roads in the village needed repair, but they were holding off pending the sewer installation.

LaPlante also pointed out to Councillor Cleve Mortelliti that just because there are 375 municipalities eligible to apply, it doesn't mean they will all have projects ready for construction. He also told Mortelliti that some money had been put aside over the years to cover this work, but that was exhausted.

Township CAO Scott Somerville said these matters will be discussed in the capital budget deliberations, adding the work will probably take two or three years.

Councillor Jane Underhill wondered if funding might be available from York Region for these roads, since they carry a lot of traffic from outside King. LaPlante said they could ask, "but I don't expect that will go over too well," he warned.

He also told Councillor Jack Rupke the plan is to apply for the whole $2.5 million and hope for the best.