GRAVEL PITS ARE COSTING WOOLWICH TIME, GRIEF AND BIG MONEY

Last Thursday's Elmira Independent carrys two stories regarding local gravel pits. They are "OMB costs reach $452,000" and "Winterbourne residents advocate against Jigs Hollow Pit application". The first article indicates that Woolwich Township spent $376,538.20 fighting the proposed Hunder Pit at the Ontario Muncipal Board. The second article is in regards to the still ongoing attempts to operate the Jigs Hollow Pit nearest to Winterbourne. Sonya Sommerville and Jan Huissoon both gave presentations at Woolwich Council highlighting the dangers of a below water table gravel pit. This below water table condition is a new one as the original plan and permission was only for an above water table gravel pit. Woolwich Township had wisely in hindsight put a holding provision on the original approved application, making any change to below water table a trigger to bring the whole matter back before Council. Personally I am doubtful that this Council will be as careful regarding gravel pits approval as the last one was. Time will tell.