Any possibility of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) taking over responsibility for Main Street within the limits of the Town of Hawkesbury has been deferred for two months.
On April 23, Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre had introduced a notice of motion to UCPR council indicating that at the Wednesday, May 28 UCPR council meeting, he would introduce a motion to have the UCPR assume responsibility for the 3.3. kilometre section of Main Street within the Town of Hawkesbury between Front Road East and Front Road West. However, at the May 28 UCPR council meeting, Lefebvre moved to defer his motion until more study could be given to the proposal by UCPR staff.
A report prepared by Lefebvre indicates having Main Street as part of the county road system will comply with the UCPR Official Plan and recognize the street’s role as a connector route between local towns and villages, provincial highways, and the Long Sault Bridge. His report also highlighted the importance of Main Street as a connector route because of traffic accessing it from the Long Sault Bridge.
A second report prepared by Hawkesbury Director of Public Works Jonathan Wilson identifies that the UCPR assuming responsibility for the road will have a minimal budgetary impact for the UCPR, because at a length of only 3.3 kilometres, it represents less than one per cent of the UCPR’s road network. Maintenance costs are estimated at $15,000 to $20,000 annually. The Town of Hawkesbury also believes transferring responsibility for the street to the UCPR would improve the equity of municipal contributions and services among UCPR municipalities. Currently, Hawkesbury has no county road within its limits, despite its significant financial contributions to the UCPR.
On May 28, Lefebvre said he compiled his report with particular attention to ensure it met the criteria for Main Street to be part of the county road system. He said that although a local municipal road may have all of the qualities of a county road, unless it is designated as a county road, grant funding cannot be accessed, so he had no alternative than to make the request.
Lefebvre said he would respect UCPR council’s wish to obtain more information and comment from UCPR Director of Public Works Jérémie Bouchard before any decision is made.
The Mayor of Hawkesbury noted that according to existing UCPR policy, municipalities have until the end of August each year to submit road projects for the following year and only can do it if the road is designated as a county road. Lefebvre moved to defer his motion to August to allow Bouchard to develop a report.
Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski asked if there is enough time to prepare a proper report.
“I’ll crunch the numbers for certain,” Bouchard said.
Council voted to defer Lefebvre’s request to the August council meeting.
UCPR Chief Administrative Officer Stéphane Parisien said he appreciates the time for UCPR staff to obtain the numbers and other information to develop options involving the potential transfer of Main Street in Hawkesbury to the UCPR.
