St. Davids residents question roundabout, grinder pumps and pool

The spotlight on St. Davids at Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa’s first of five open house of the new year featured discussions of the pool, grinder pumps, sidewalks and the inevitable roundabout — and not without contention.

Zalepa shared highlights of the 2024 operating year and updated those assembled on the strategic plan, budget and official plan, all of which can be found on the town’s website.

It was the roundabout though that clearly agitated at least two of the nearly 90 residents, town staff and councillors gathered at the St. Davids fire station.

Cal Cochrane told Zalepa that, as a representative of the people, he should have fought harder, and continued to fight against the roundabout. “Why are you not listening to us?” asked Cochrane.

In August 2022, the town sent recommendations to the region which included wording that the town “does not support” a roundabout in St. Davids, but the regional government is moving ahead with its plans to build the roundabout at the intersection of Four Mile Creek and York Roads. The region welcomed public input on the design process in a workshop last November, saying construction is set to begin in 2027.

“This has been most challenging for the council,” said Zalepa.

He explained it can be difficult to make a decision when a community is divided on an issue, but that he felt “really good about this,” and that he is comfortable with the work that has been done to ensure that it’s the right solution.

When Cochrane was insistent that he felt the majority of people in St. Davids don’t want the roundabout, and that Zalepa’s response wasn’t acceptable, the lord mayor responded, “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

Other matters were brought forth during question and answer period, including the wish for a sidewalk on at least one side of the road leading from Cannery Park to the intersection of York Road and Four Mile Creek Road.

Zalepa explained that sidewalks cannot be built until the other properties on the route have been fully developed, and the region completes its road work.

Another resident was concerned about grinder pumps, pumps that about 180 St Davids’ homes use to move waste from the home to the sewer system, because, in those situations, the traditional gravity system does not work.

In 2022, council continued a $75 annual insurance rebate program for a three-year period, however, now residents are being told that this insurance will no longer be offered because repairing grinder pumps can be problematic.

Director of operations Darren MacKenzie said that information about a new possible insurer will soon be available on the town’s website, alongside contact information for reputable plumbers who work with grinder pumps.

One resident asked about the aging St. Davids pool. Zalepa said the town “will consider to support the St Davids pool” and that the refurbishment of the pool falls under a recreation master plan, which is currently being developed.

Later, heritage planning manager Steve Burke spoke about heritage homes that are on land to be developed, and assured the audience that “conditions exist for developers to shore up and restore” them, in particular, a heritage home backing onto Paxton Lane and St. Davids Golf Club.

Also of concert to a few residents was their concern that town staff has been doing a poor job in getting back to them after they called and left messages or filled out town forms regarding spring floods in St. Davids. Zalepa said he would look into it and MacKenzie gave his business card to those affected.

With the roundabout the last issue to be discussed, the meeting ran about 30 minutes over the designated time, and dissolved shortly after Cochrane got up, put on his jacket and started to walk out, seemingly frustrated with the lord mayor’s response to that question.

Future open houses are in Glendale Jan. 16 at Fire Station 5 (350 Townline Road), Virgil, Feb. 3 in the Mary Snider Room at the Centennial Arena, and Old Town, Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the Simpson Room at the Community Centre (14 Anderson Lane). The final open house is in Queenston, Feb. 20 in the Queenston Library (32 Queenston Street). All village visits run from 6:30 pm until 8 pm.

RSVP is optional. RSVP or pre-submit questions by emailing [email protected].