Many people will recall the 12 page booklet I sent to every household in Trent Hills. Thousands of residents and property owners agreed with what I had to say by electing me as your Mayor in 2003, and again in 2006. The following excerpts will show how I felt at that time, and where we are today….
Then…
WE NEED STRONG, RESPONSIBLE, BUSINESS SENSE LEADERSHIP. WE NEED TO UTILIZE TIME BETTER TO SPEND LESS TAX DOLLARS, AND GET MORE FOR THEM. (MORE BANG FOR OUR BUCKS). THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN TRENT HILLS, AND WE CAN NO LONGER SPEND MONEY FRIVOLOUSLY
Today…
Hay's Bridge under construction Aug 2010
Long term capital plans have been put into place, and continue to be developed, and updated. We have just completed our Trent Hills Roads Needs Study which is critical to meet legislation from Ontario that municipalities switch to Public Sector Accounting Board accrural based accounting methods (PSAB), and to help prioritize the needs and timing of infrastructure repairs and replacements. It made sense to complete some municipal infrastructure quickly due to rising costs, especially when we received significant grants from Ontario and Canada. We moved very quickly to end some age-old issues, making repairs as soon as possible before rising costs delayed them further.
Click here to see an extensive list of infrastructure repairs, upgrades, and replacements.
During long and detailed negotiations with the OPP, I lead the contact negotiatiations that have saved Trent Hills taxpayers approximately $250,000.00 per year.
Then…
WE HAVE MAJOR SEWER MAINS INSIDE THE CORE WALLS IN CAMPBELLFORD THAT WILL HAUNT US FOR ETERNITY, UNTIL THEY ARE ABANDONED AND NEW ONES INSTALLED OUTSIDE THE WALLS. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN MY FATHER TOLD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IT WAS THEIR WALL, AND THAT THEY SHOULD REPAIR IT. SO THEY DID. WHY MUST WE BEAR ALL THE COST NOW?
Today…
Since 2007, negotiating with Parks Canada who operate the Trent Severn Waterway is currently on hold while Canada undergoes a complete review of the Trent Severn Waterway with a “Panel on the Future of the Trent Severn Waterway” and the new “Water Management Advisory Committee”. Trent Hills has two large issues to negotiate and resolve with Parks Canada. One of which is the fact that the corewalls block natural drainage from the land they divide from the river. Large sewers (culverts) were formed inside the walls when they were poured to accomodate stormwater and municipal sewage flows that at one time drained along the shoreline and into the river. These culverts are starting to fail, as most concrete eventually will (especially when it is constantly wet and potentially exposed to acidic contaminents). Much of the culverts have been lined with PVC pipe, however from time to time there were occurances of pipe seperations. We have made significant repairs to the lined pipes in an effort to keep stormwater separated from wastewater. I believe eventually the culverts will collapse and we need to get our collection systems out of the walls before that happens. I believe the TSW needs to get the stormwater collection system out of the walls as well. I also believe we have a willing partner in the Federal government, and I look forward to the day we can sit down and finally resolve this issue once and for all. It’s hard to believe today, that just over 20 years ago, Campbellford (and other municipalities) dumped all their raw sewage into the river. The other issue is the Trent valley Woolen Mill Power Rights. This issue has reared it’s ugly head on too many occasions. One of which was when my father was Mayor and the Town of Campbellford successfully sued the “Queen in right of Canada” (Canadian Federal Government) The Woolen Mill Power Rights and core-wall issues are delicate and long-term negotiations with Parks Canada. I have worked tirelessly on both of these problems in an effort to bring a solution to Council for potential approval. These issues are going to be either million dollar benefits, or liabilities for Trent Hills. I am very close to a positive resolution on one of them.
Then…
WE MUST PLAN FOR A SECOND TRAFFIC BRIDGE IN CAMPBELLFORD IMMEDIATELY. THE EXISTING BRIDGE HAS SERVED US WELL, HOWEVER THE WEAR AND TEAR OF THIRTY SIX YEARS OF EVER INCREASING TRAFFIC IS TAKING ITS TOLL AND IT HAS REACHED ITS CAPACITY. IT MUST SEE SOME MAINTENANCE SOON, AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS MUST COME TO THE PARTY.
Today…
After I lobbied County Council for almost three years, the issue of the eventual replacement of the Campbellford bridge started to appear on the county radar screen during an extensive rehabilitation project completed in 2005. Reducing traffic to one lane during repairs was a painful excercise for the community, emergency services, and the business district. There was also a total closure over one night that was indicitive of what could inevitably lay in the future. Much of the work that was conducted in 2005 failed, and is being repeated again in 2010. It is important to understand when judging the merits of bridge repair, replacement, or an additional bridge, the current bridge in Campbellford is unique in nature and not easily repaired or replaced as more common truss-type structures. It’s post-tensioned design makes it practically impossible to replace in sections. Our current bridge actually won a Federal Government award for it’s slender, sleek look, and for the engineering feats it accomplished at the time of construction in 1968-1969. It was also recognized by the well respected American Concrete Institute in one of it’s publications for it’s aesthetics and called it “A tourist’s delight” within the Trent-Severn system.
Then…
EVERY APPLICABLE MINISTRY OF THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE LOBBIED FOR FUNDS NOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE RIVER CROSSING IN CAMPBELLFORD IS A VITAL NECESSITY TO ALL PARTS OF TRENT HILLS. IT NOT ONLY PROVIDES THE ONLY MAJOR EAST-WEST ACCESS SOUTH OF HIGHWAY SEVEN AND NORTH OF FRANKFORD, IT IS ALSO THE LIFE-LINE FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES SUCH AS FIRE TRUCKS, POLICE, AMBULANCE, AND HOSPITAL ACCESS. EVEN THE FRANKFORD AREA HAS MORE THAN ONE BRIDGE CAPABLE OF CARRYING HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Today…
Studies completed in 1966, 1989, 1996, and 2007 showed that river crossings in the Campbellford area are complicated, serious, and expensive, and I don’t expect the current excercise that is underway to produce anything different in that respect. Northumberland County and Trent Hills jointly embarked on an Environmental Study in 2007 to discover where a second river crossing could be located. Although the study was initially intended to concentrate in Campbellford, it was expanded to the north and south several kilometres. I withdrew the motion to approve the Environmental Assessment at Northumberland County Council so that it could be set aside while Northumberland County performs an assessment on the current bridge corridor. This new project is focused on aquiring a replacement cost for the existing bridge, and search for more options in an attempt to keep all local and arterial traffic in the existing location, rather than creating a totally new and additional second corridor.
The current engineering firm, Genivar, is the second engineering firm Northumberland County has hired since 2009 (in addition to MRC who also looked at the current location, and AECOM who is performing the Environmental Assessment), attempting to come up with an innovative method to achieve increased lane capacity and lower property impacts than the Environmental Assessment ultimate prefferred option. Genivar is working on an inovative concept that may also help to extend the life of the existing bridge and possibly provide for increased lane capacity. If this concept becomes a reality and qualified drawings are submitted and approved, the current Environmental Assessment will require a large step backwards in the process, and changes will be required to the scoring matrix to accomodate other options, and levels of service. There has been a lot of discussion regarding the concept of a three lane bridge. It is very important to recognize the amount of daily emergency vehicle traffic that crosses the bridge. Currently, there is enough space for most emergency vehicles to squeeze through the existing two lanes of traffic. This is a small luxury we cannot afford to lose. I believe if a three lane bridge becomes a viable option, it must also be wide enough to continue accomodating emergency vehicles as well. If there is any good news on the bridge issue, it’s the County now has the Campbellford river crossing on their radar screen, and realize the importance of ramping up the options of what to do before it expires. All three engineering firms basically agree there is approximately 20 to 25 years remaining before the existing bridge will require total replacement if something is not done with it soon. Upon the Campbellford Bridge Steering Committee receiving an engineered solution that both Trent Hills Council, Northumberland County Council, and most importantly the Campbellford community can accept, I will support it.
Then…
MANY MUNICIPALITIES DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF A HOSPITAL LIKE OURS. MANY TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, NOT REALIZING IT IS OUR LARGEST EMPLOYER AS WELL AS A MAJOR CONSIDERATION FOR PEOPLE AND INDUSTRY TO RELOCATE HERE. WE MUST DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PROTECT IT, AND CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR DOCTORS TO ESTABLISH PRACTICES IN OUR AREA.
Today…
In 2005, we sought community input regarding a proposed hospital levy at several public meetings held throughout Trent Hills. The key comments we received were that a levied amount should be the same for all properties, it should not be applied to vacant lands, it be limited to the proposed five years, and it be used for infrastructure at Campbellford Memorial Hospital only. We did that. The levy has come and gone now with the “burning the bylaw” event that I promised you, and it raised even more money for CMH with an auction and ribfest hosted by the Campbellford Royal Canadian Legion.
Bylaw Burning Event
During the five years, 1,250,000.00 was raised from your property taxes and turned over to the CMH Foundation for a new computerized electronic medical records system, a new digital x-ray and flouroscopy radiography system, new boilers, roof, HVAC. (heating, ventalation, air conditioning) systems, and a contribution to the CT Scan. We were well ahead of the curve and leading the way with cutting edge technology. At the time, only 8% of doctors in Canada were using electronic medical records, it has been recently reported it is now up to 23%. By Trent Hills Council leading the way to financially support our hospital, our neighbouring municipalities quickly stepped up to the plate as well. Since that time, the CMH foundation started another aggressive campaign to purchase a CT Scan for CMH, and successfully achieved the installation by January 2010 (one year ahead of schedule) with the help of many individual, corporate, and neighbouring municipal donors. Seven other municipalities and Peterborough County as well, have supported our hospital because they understand the need, the business cases we presented, and the fact that healthcare does not recognize political boundaries. Contrary to popular belief, a hospital is a community responsibility to be an active partner, not soley the Province’s.
We continue to support Physician Recruitment on two fronts, and there has been several successes in the recruitment of four new Doctors in the past two years.
Then…
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK OF CLOSING ARENAS. HOW COULD ANYONE POSSIBLY THINK OF RIPPING THE HEART AND SOULD OUT OF A COMMUNITY? ARENAS ARE THE HUB OF ACTIVITY IN A SMALL TOWN AND A LOT OF VOLUNTEER WORK HAS BEEN PUT INTO THEM. WHO ARE WE TO CLOSE THEM? I THINK IT IS A BONUS TO HAVE THREE ARENAS IN ONE COMMUNITY. WE DO NOT NEED ICE IN ALL THREE AT ONE TIME. THIS ALLOWS ICE TO GO IN EARLY IN ONE, WHILE OTHER INDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE HELD IN ANOTHER. SUCH AS INDOOR SOCCER, LACROSSE, AND FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES THAT WILL BRING IN MORE REVENUE AND MAKE THEM MORE SELF SUPPORTING.
Today…
We have invested heavily in all three of our arenas during the past seven years. The highest profile example of these upgrades is the Warkworth Community Centre that transformed the entire facility. This work was made possible by many volunteer efforts and donations by residents, and the financial commitment of almost $500,000.00 by Trent Hills Council. The Campbellford/Seymour Community Centre, while still in good structural condition, has been determined to be at the end of its serviceable life by an engineering firm that was hired to review our arenas and pool. It will need to be replaced in the next five years approximately. This facility has served the community well, and Council has invested wisely in the ice plant which is now in very good condition. The Hastings Arena was also deemed to be at the end of its serviceable life in that study, and the capital requirements combined with dramatically reduced use in recent years has lead Council to a decision the arena should close and be replaced. We are committed however, to maintaining a recreation facility in each of the urban centres that will bring people to the community on a year round basis. The current plan for Hastings is to construct a field house (indoor soccer, driving range, walking track, etc.) as soon as possible. A state-of-the-art facility such as this would be an enormous economic boon for all of Trent Hills, Hastings in particular, and it would be the only one in our area. I remain committed to keeping the Hastings Arena open until a new facility is in place barring a catastrophic repair. We will then look for alternative uses for the existing arena. A possible use I would like to see investigated is an outdoor rink. It goes without saying, we require the assistance of our senior levels of government to achieve these goals, and I am committed to continue lobbying those representatives on your behalf.
Ed Brownlee Playground In Hastings
In addition, we are working with community partners such as the Campbellford Seymour Community Foundation and the Warkworth Skatepark Committee to re-develop our skateparks, parks and playgrounds.
Let Them Be Kids Cheque Presentation - $10,000 from Behan Construction
Our most recent development is the “Let Them Be Kids” project that will see our communities raise funds that will be matched by the LTBK Foundation to purchase and install new playground and outdoor fitness equipment in each of the urban centres. Best of all, these installations will all be carried out in one day with the help of more than 200 community volunteers. Busses will circulate throughout Trent Hills September 4, 2010 so volunteers can actually participate in the construction and assembly of all three sites !! See you there !!
Then…
EACH PART OF OUR AMALGAMATED MUNICIPALITY IS STRUGGLING TO RETAIN IT’S OWN IDENTITY. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT NEED TO PERSIST. EACH INDIVIDUAL AREA HAS IT’S OWN UNIQUE QUALITIES, CHARACTERISTICS, AND PROBLEMS. ALL NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED AND ALLOWED TO FLOURISH IN THEIR OWN UNRIVALED FASHION. ONLY THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE UNIVERSAL.
Today…
All infrastructure inside Trent Hills has been put on a priority basis list, and/or ten and twenty year capital plans. No matter where it is, or what it is, including public works and fire department vehicles and equipment. We are one municipality, with many communities, and many needs. I am committed to repair or replace what needs to be done no matter where it is in Trent Hills. I know there is still much to do on roads, water/sewer systems seperation, recreational facilities, etc, but click here to see what has been accomplished in such a short time. Infrastructure repairs, replacements, and upgrades are made where they need it, when they need it, and as quickly as possible. Funding grants from our Ontario and Canada partners have played a very significant role in the number of large Trent Hills municipal infrastructure projects that have been achieved.
We believe strongly in the position of Community Development, and filled it with a staff member who is dedicated to economic development, business retention and expansion, grants applications, helping community organizations and committees to achieve their goals, and help to bring prosperity to all of Trent Hills. Trent Hills is a service provider, and I am proud of the services we have developed and continue to improve.
Then…
HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO POUR MONEY INTO FERRIS PARK BEFORE WE REALIZE THAT THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MUST BE CONVINCED TO TAKE IT BACK UNDER THEIR WING, AND PERHAPS CONTINUE WITH THE PLAN THAT WAS INITIATED IN 1987 WHEN THE MINISTRY HAD CONSIDERED INSTALLING A LARGE POOL IN THE PARK TO DRAW MORE ATTENTION TO IT?
Today…
Sadly, we ultimately achieved the option of convincing the Provincial Government into taking Ferris Park back under it’s wing. That was a “last option” for me, and many others. Many community members, the Friends Of Ferris Park, Trent Hills staff and council poured their souls into the development of Ferris Park to make it a premier destination. That facts are, as a small municipality we are just not good at doing what the Province demands of their park operations without the same revenue streams they have. We were already losing in excess of 30,000.00 a year (after revenue) operating Ferris Park and still could not achieve permits for a swimming area. We most certainly were not in a position of funding a new 500,000.00 comfort station, and this is what ultimately ended the deal. Fortunately, the Province under Ontario Parks, their staff and our local Friends Of Ferris Park continue to support and operate Ferris Park including camping. They do a fantastic job of operating and maintaing large parks because that’s what they do, and everyone should do what they do best, which leads me directly to Crowe Bridge Park.
During this past term of council, the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority decided with all of the financial pressure they were facing, they could no longer operate Crowe Bridge Park and Campground. Our community was devastated with the news of the park being locked up, and for three very painful years, it was.
With the creation of the Friends Of Crowe Bridge Park, a groundswell of support from our community and beyond, including some financial support from some of our neighbouring municipalities, and the Campbellford/Seymour Community Foundation, we were able to negotiate a lease agreement with the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority to operate the park as a “day-use” park. This means Crowe Bridge Park is now the same as any of our other municipal parks.
Cutting the Chains at Crowe Bridge
We provide basic services such as litter pick up, grass cutting, road maintenance, and portable toilets. The first agreement is a one year pilot project so that council and our staff can feel our way into the park. If all goes well, and the next council continues to support the park, a long term lease could be aquired with our partners at the CVCA. The Friends Of Crowe Bridge Park continue to meet and develop ideas for what could lay ahead at the park, and plan for community events. Sure is nice to have our favourite swimmin’ hole back !
Then…
DUST CONTROL ON OUR GRAVEL ROADS MUST BE ADDRESSED ON A MORE PERMANENT BASIS. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ALL CHEMICALS ARE BANNED FOR DUST CONTROL. PAVEMENT IS EXPENSIVE, BUT ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS “TAR AND CHIP” ARE MORE AFFORDABLE. BUDGETING FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK WILL SAVE US MONEY IN THE FUTURE, AND WE WILL BE AHEAD OF THE GAME WHEN BANS ARE IN PLACE.
Today…
We haven’t seen a ban on all dust control products… yet, but the Federal Government has implemented laws that require all municipalities in Canada to develop salt management policies to stop the over-usage of rock salt on our roads, and to contain salt in municipal yards. Trent Hills snow plow units have devices on board to monitor salt usage. We have stepped up our roads resurfacing program from 18 KM to 25 KM per year, plus we have reconstructed previous gravel roads and surface treated them as well with tar and chip. Many more roads in the municipality need to be reconstructed because they have poor bases. With the change in climate we have experienced for most of the past seven years, we have had less snow, but much more ice. With a poor base under gravel, roads can quickly deteriorate even with minimal traffic volumes. Now that the “Roads Needs Study” has been completed, we know exactly where and when to invest resources. You may have noticed new signage on our rural roads. This program continues to roll out as we make our roads safer for our residents and visitors.
Then…
WE MUST ACTIVELY PURSUE AND PERSUADE LIGHT INDUSTRY TO LOCATE OR RELOCATE IN TRENT HILLS. THE BENEFITS OF BROADENING THE TAX BASE ARE OBVIOUS, INDUSTRY WILL PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUNG FAMILIES, AND SHORE UP OUR DWINDLING POPULATION. COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT MUST BE BALANCED ON AN EVEN KEEL. ONE WILL NOT MATERIALIZE WITHOUT THE OTHER. WE ALSO NEED TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TO BE A BENEFIT TO US AND NOT A BURDEN. WE MUST CREATE SOUND STRATEGIES AND MAKE WISE DECISIONS TO PRESERVE OUR WAY OF LIFE, AND RETURN IT TO BEING AFFORDABLE.
Today…
We have witnessed expansion from within our existing successful businesses that have either expanded or taken up new premisis or constructed new buildings. The “Campbellford Business Park Feasibility and Marketing Study” carried out in 2005 said this is exactly what would occur. Recognizing it is difficult to attract new industry without serviced lands to locate on, we are developing the last section of the Campbellford Business Park. Phase one of three is now serviced with a road and water and sewer. Several subdivisions have received draft plan approvals, and I fully expect upon recovery of the economy, construction will begin. One in Warkworth will be ready to go once municipal water system pressure has been enhanced, which has been approved by Council.
Then…
COMMUNITY SERVICE GROUPS AND VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD CONTINUE TO HARMONIZE WITH EACH OTHER, AND COUNCIL SHOULD GO OUT OF ITS WAY TO LEND ITS FULLEST SUPPORT IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ENRICH OUR COMMUNITIES.
Today…
We have supported several community organizations by partnering to save the cost of GST, garnering grants, and charitable status opportunities. Many organizations and community events committees have taken the opportunity to receive help from our Community Development Officer, and participate in an annual group meeting I created to share ideas and dates to help prevent overlapping. I have encouraged municipal staff to work with our community organizations to hold another Community Event Meeting to provide opportunities for networking between all our community partners. Topics such as event planning, logistics, marketing, funding, volunteer support, event expansion, creation of new community events and insurance. The issue of insurance coverage for community events is becoming unbearable for some organizations who work very hard to create fun and creative events for our residents and visitors to enjoy. I continue to search for a solution to this issue, and and firmly believe the municipality can play a part in solving it. I would also like to see electronic informations centres in each of our urban centres for our visitors. Our Trent Hills and Northumberland County websites now post all community events.
Then…
OUR FIRE SERVICES MUST BE FULLY EQUIPPED SO THEY MAY PRESERVE OUR COMMUNITIES AND VIRTUALLY OUR LIVES. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEG FOR IT. THESE BRAVE PEOPLE SHOULD GET ALL OUR SUPPORT, IN EVERY FORM. THEY ARE CERTAINLY NOT DOING IT FOR THE PAY. THIS IS STILL BASICALLY A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION AND WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEM. I MOST CERTAINLY WAS.
Today…
We have three firehalls and sixty firefighters that must be properly and safely equipped. During the past seven years, all fire department equipment has been put on ten year capital plans for managing and replacing it in a timely manner that is affordable, and most importantly, before it becomes worn out, unserviceable, or unsafe.
Fire Department Accountability Operations
We have purchased one new front-line pumper truck, one refurbished platform ladder truck, one mobile command centre, one refurbished tanker, one rescue truck (in partnership with local service organizations) one new outboard motor for a rescue boat, two new sets of extrication equipment (jaws-of-life), one new air bottle filling compressor (in partnership with the CSCF) one new infrared camera (in partnership with local service organizations) one portable forestry tank trailer, and new SCBA (breathing apparatus) at the Campbellford/Seymour hall.
Our new tanker at it's first structure fire
One new front-line pumper truck (to be delivered soon), one new rescue truck, and SCBA (breathing apparatus) in the Hasting hall. One new pumper/tanker truck, one new rescue truck, and extrication equipment in the Warkworth hall. In addition, three forestry units (4×4 pickup trucks with slide-in pumping units) one for each hall, to prevent damage to larger pumper trucks and increase fire attack response times when fighting fires off road, many new communication radios, pagers, hoses, nozzles, and smaller pieces of equipment too numerous to list here.
Finally, we have engaged a Fire Service Review that will lay out a vision for the service that will take us through the next 15 years, and beyond.
Warkworth Dry Hydrant
Then…
THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE HAS BEEN CRUMBLING FROM THE TOP-DOWN SINCE AMALGAMATION WAS FIRST IMPLEMENTED. BASICALLY, THE STAFF HAS BEEN RUNNING THE MUNICIPALITY INSTEAD OF COUNCIL.
Today…
My direction to senior staff is to ensure all staff fully understand what their job is and they have the tools to carry out their job effectively and efficiently. My role is to monitor operations through the CAO and while we are not yet perfect, we have made dramatic improvements. My goal is to continue making improvements in the creation of a well organized and educated staff that responds to the needs and concerns of our residents and property owners quickly and efficiently. All staff have now been trained in customer service and ongoing health and safety programs.
Hector Macmillan with The Hon. Steve Mahoney
An example of our success is, we have gone from being on the WSIB and Ministry of Labour “high risk” lists, to a position of a “model municipality”. WSIB Chairperson, the Honourable Steve Mahoney came to council and we jointly signed the “WSIB Community Workplace Health and Safety Charter” and council embraced the “Road To Zero” program.
Community Workplace Health & Safety Charter
Since then, our CAO and I have been requested to speak at conferences and other municipalities to tell our story of culture change in the municipal workplace, and that it can be done. Some members of our staff have also received rewards of recognition at the Municipal Health and Safety Association annual conference in 2008.
Hector speaking at the Municipal Health and Safety Association Conference
I will continue to show leadership in this area, and by continuing to make step by step improvements, we will spread our committment of community health and safety throughout Trent Hills.
Then…
AGRICULTURAL LAND SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR AGRICULTURAL USE, NOT SCATTERED RURAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE FORMER PERCY TOWNSHIP HAS VAST AMOUNTS OF LAND THAT FELL VICTIM TO THE “WHITE ROCK ESTATES” PROJECT IN THE LATE 1960′S AND EARLY 1970′S. LAND THAT APPEARS TO BE FIELDS, IS ACTUALLY LARGE PARCELS OF REGISTERED LOTS WAITING TO BE BUILT UPON.
Today…
The Places to Grow Act of 2005 has all but eliminated newly created residential lots in rural areas. Some people have turned land over to the municipality or just walked away from it that was once part of the White Rock Estates scam. Much of it could never be built on, and is unusable for residential lots. We have started to amass and sell many of these lots as small parcels which will allow for a new home on a larger lot.