Pelham Town Council heard debate Jan. 30 over final changes to the 2023 Capital Budget, with Mayor Marvin Junkin twice standing down as leader of council to act as a seconder for amendment motions made by Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson when no one else would.
The first item was unsuccessful, and as a result Pelham is poised to commit $50,000 to a traffic-light crosswalk on Canboro Road related to the Wellington Heights school. The somewhat controversial proposal has seen its cost grow from its original $30,000 target, but council voted 4-3 to shoot down Olson’s idea that a further warrant study be conducted.
Junkin seconded the motion after Olson initially found no support, and then spoke out against the idea of the crosswalk altogether.
“I can’t spend this kind of money … it’s only an extra $20,000, I realize that, but I can’t understand why this council refuses to get any other data to help the taxpayers,” Junkin said.
Adding that he has not seen anyone cross the stretch of road in question “in 70 years,” Junkin said, “there’s quite a few people in Fenwick who are not happy with us spending on this crosswalk, I can tell you that much right now.”
Ward 1’s Kevin Ker said he believed no further study was needed.
“I would prefer that it go forward, otherwise we needlessly delay the development of the enhanced safety,” Ker said. “Moving this as a deferral, all this does is kick it further down the road.”
Fellow ward Councillor Olson disagreed.
“Surely there’s time to study and gather data and facts before we spend $50,000. And I’m not kicking any cans down the road because I brought this up in the previous council,” Olson said.
Olson and Junkin found support from Ward 2’s Brian Eckhardt, who cited the underuse of a similar traffic-light crosswalk at Pelham Street and Pancake Lane in Fonthill. It wasn’t enough, however, as Ker, Bob Hildebrandt, Shellee Niznik, and Deputy Mayor John Wink all voted in favour of earmarking the $50,000 in this year’s budget.
“All I’ll say is what’s the cost of one child?” said Wink, acting as mayor after Junkin seconded Olson. “I trust the Public Works Department that they’ll keep the costs down as much as possible.”
Public Works Director Jason Marr said all such traffic lights in Niagara must be designed by the Region. He expects the earliest the crossing will be in place is late spring or early summer.
