Newmarket to set restrictions for Ray Twinney Recreation Complex snow dumping site

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 25, 2015
Chris Simon

Snow dumping restrictions could be coming for the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex as council looks for alternate solutions for the remainder of the winter.

Council is expected to place limitations for dumping at the site — including barring regular operations past 4 p.m. each day, forcing dump trucks to primarily use the Eagle Street entrance and asking staff to perform daily checks of security fencing and signage — during a meeting Monday night.

The provisions would also allow for dumping until 11 p.m. under extreme circumstances and staff would be required to regularly pick up garbage during melting periods.

“I’ve heard a lot from residents on this issue recently,” Councillor Christina Bisanz said. “They were hopeful there would be a conclusion a little different than what has come out. These recommendations are trying to minimize the impact, but the residents still feel very strongly that all of the original concerns for public safety really aren’t being mitigated. There’s a significant hazard and potential danger.”

Bisanz has called for an immediate end to snow dumping at Ray Twinney, a practice utilized when significant accumulation builds up and leaves municipal road maintenance crews with few other options.

The site is equipped with oil and grit separators that remove sediment and debris from storm water. It has been used as the main site for snow dumping by the town for more than a decade.

However, neighbouring residents have expressed concerns since last year, largely because municipal trucks create noise and children regularly had to be kicked off the snow hills for safety reasons.

Town staff is working with York Region on the development of a joint-use site along Harry Walker Parkway. Land has been purchased in the east end of town and construction is expected to take place this year, development and infrastructure services commissioner Peter Noehammer said.

The land was investigated as a temporary site for the balance of the winter but the challenge has been that the town has no funds in the draft 2015 budget to make improvements to the site, Noehammer said.

Regional Councillor John Taylor wants staff to persuade the region to allow dumping at the former Snap-On Tools parking lot on Harry Walker.

“I’m frustrated,” he said. “We expressed some urgency. It makes a big difference how the region is approached.”

Noehammer said there are issues with Snap-On. It’s too small for adequate truck turnaround space and region staff park at the property.

As part of the recommendation, staff will be asked to continue investigating temporary, alternate dumping locations, including Snap-On, for potential use for the rest of the season. They’ve also been told to find a permanent solution within 90 days.