By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press

Following the special walkabout meeting held in downtown Essex Centre a few weeks ago, members of Essex Council took to the streets to look over Harrow and Colchester on the evening of Monday, June 22.

A group of around 15 residents joined the local decision-makers and Town staff in Harrow to look over areas of concern and determine what is going well and what needs to be improved since the Harrow Streetscape project was completed nearly four-years ago.

One of the more frequent matters brought up during the walkabout meeting in Harrow had to do with crosswalks.

There were residents who stressed concerns about the PXO crosswalk at Walnut Street and King Street, noting drivers seem to have a difficult time seeing the lights flashing when pedestrians hit the button. The flashing lights are situated on the outside of the crosswalk infrastructure, Director of Infrastructure Services, Kevin Girard, noted.

The crosswalk was completed to provincial standards and with the expertise of an engineer. Girard will, however, review the matter to see if there are some alternatives that can be done or added to enhance safety, based on the concerns heard during the meeting. One suggestion included possibly adding more lights, which may come with additional costs to equip the infrastructure.

Girard also noted that the PXO crosswalk to be installed at Erie and King Street has been delayed. When the infrastructure was shipped, the solar panels were damaged. So, the Town is currently waiting for new solar panels to be shipped. Once they are received, the crosswalk will be installed.

Another matter discussed included the “Poop Happens” signs placed at Veterans’ Memorial Park. The Town installed these signs earlier this year, when it was noticed there were residents not picking up after their dogs in the park. Mayor Sherry Bondy believes the signs have helped prevent people from leaving their dog waste on the ground.

Another discussion talked about street lighting, wondering if there was an opportunity to change the colour of the lights to prevent attracting fishflies. Director Girard noted the light colours cannot be changed, but they are directed downwards. That makes them night sky compliant, which helps prevent fishflies from being attracted to the area. They will still, however, attract those that are already close by.

Mayor Bondy also spoke about yard sale signs being put up, expressing frustration when people do not remove them after their events have taken place.

Bondy also spoke about how fencing is still wanted around the OPP building in the downtown Harrow area. This was brought up at budget time. Council pulled the fencing funding request in the budget for the Harrow OPP station, as a potential relocation for the operation is being analyzed.

Director of Community Services, Jake Morassut, also spoke about the trees that were planted in the downtown area. They were planted a little bit too low. The Town has not filled in the rest of the area around their bases, because it would be too deep and not beneficial to the trees. Staff members are reviewing the issue and looking to do what they can to mitigate the situation. Councillor Joe Garon suggested looking into water funnels to help support the trees.

Another matter brought up over the course of the meeting was creeping landscape onto sidewalks. It was noted that Town staff trim back vegetation near sidewalks, if needed. Staff does review the downtown areas periodically to look for such instances.

Later that evening, Council and staff went down to Colchester to tour the Harbour and park areas. This walkabout followed a special meeting held in April when Council connected with residents and boaters about the – at the time pending – approval for the personal watercraft rental business and concerns about marina operations. They also participated in a Walk the Dock event with area residents and boaters, as well.

Councillor Jason Matyi raised two Notices of Motion at the April 20 Council meeting, which were supported by Council.

The first motion directed administration to return with a report providing recommendations regarding improving operations and customer service at the Harbour, exploring if the Harbour could be prepared earlier in the season. Administration would report back with potential staffing recommendations, costs, and an implementation plan.

His second Notice of Motion asked Council to direct administration to review the seaweed levels at Colchester Harbour and to provide a report to Council suggesting whether or not a Seaweed Management Plan is required. If so, the objectives and projected costs to do so would be provided.

Council passed those motions.

Concerns ranged from seaweed growth, fishing into the harbour where the marina is occupied by boaters, boaters not getting credits for their slips being rented out when they are away the weekend the following year as they should, fishfly mitigation, litter, etc.

During the walkabout, staff noted more “no fishing or swimming” signs had been added to the Harbour fuel area, and staff are logging any complaints to track issues. The light by the ramp needs to be kept on for safety issues, but Morassut had a meeting with a lighting engineer about fishfly mitigation scheduled.

Staff are planning to mark the beach area reserved for swimmers with buoys to prevent boaters and personal watercraft from being driven near them.

They also discussed the idea floated around about having a staff member there to collect ramp fees before the harbour officially opens May 1. Morassut noted that position is often students, who are typically in exams prior to official season opening. They are exploring ideas, such as an honour system where boaters could put cash into a box.

They also learned life-saving rings were added at the beach, and a “dinosaur bone” youths can have fun digging up.

Discussions also surrounded mitigating vandalism of the bathrooms, and how some have expressed the desire for an additional gate to be placed in the fencing along Jackson Street for a shorter walking distance to enter the park.

Morassut is working on a report that will be presented to Council to address all of the concerns regarding the harbour that have been presented sometime this summer, including the need to have higher amperage for newer boats and possibly charging more for that to meet that requirement.