School crossing at DYS requested

A letter submitted to Emo council regarding traffic issues on Highway 602 in front of Donald Young School sparked a discussion about school crossings at its regular meeting Thursday night.
“He’s right—it’s a scary situation,” noted Coun. Ken Fisher, who also is a school bus driver and views the scene each day.
“There are so many cars and people—it’s mayhem,” he warned.
Coun. Fisher said the biggest problem is that the kids are talking to their friends and not paying attention, though adding there is a teacher outside helping them cross.
“We should have a designated crosswalk,” stressed Reeve Ed Carlson.
The debate then centered on where exactly the proposed crosswalk could be placed.
If placed directly in front of the school, the other side doesn’t have a sidewalk—it’s a triangular piece of land where many children have to cross another street in order to access a sidewalk.
“There’s a path through there that they use and at least they’d be across the main road,” remarked Coun. Gary Judson.
It also was noted the students would have to use a designated area and not cross anywhere along the road.
As well, Coun. Fisher indicated it would useful if the teacher helping students cross wore a safety vest.
“And we need the cars to slow down along there,” he added.
Council determined it would contact the Ministry of Transportation to request school crossing signs, a speed reduction along that stretch, and a designated crosswalk.
In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, Emo council discussed the installation of six test water meters to be placed in the municipality.
They agreed the best places to situate them would be at the Emo Inn, the Corner Closet, the car wash, Cloverleaf Grocery, and two residents’ homes—one with just a couple living there and another with a larger family.
“That way we’d get a good cross-section of residents and businesses,” noted Reeve Carlson, adding they’d write a letter explaining they are trying to get an idea of water consumption in the township.
It was noted that under the province’s full cost recovery program, it will be mandatory for all buildings to have a water meter by 2009. And everyone will pay for these over several years.
Also at Thursday’s meeting, council:
•approved an agreement with Fort Dance Studio for rental of the curling rink;
•agreed to look into the cost for three new streets lights for the entrance to Cherlen Bay, entrance to Meadowlands of Emo subdivision, and on Front Street by the Emo health centre;
•approved the Emo municipal general financial statement to Sept. 30, 2006;
•agreed to send Ed Bullied to the Ontario Building Officials Association Chapter meeting scheduled for Nov. 17, 2006 in Dryden; and
•agreed to donate $100 to the Emo and District Hospital Auxiliary for its annual fall tea and bazaar, which was held Oct. 13.
Emo council’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at the municipal office.