PETER L. SMITH
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
SHEENBORO – Trout Lake Road’s ownership was back on the agenda for Sheenboro’s monthly council meeting, December 2, with residents continuing to advocate for a public consultation on the matter. Controversy arose in recent months when council decided to hand over ownership of 5 kilometres of the gravel road (in four non-continuous sections) to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF).
Councillor Shamus Morris presented a motion for the municipality to rescind a previous resolution giving ownership to the MRNF; it failed following a 3-3 vote.
Morris also read a letter from taxpayer Mike Allard, requesting that council rescind their previous decision to give him time to form a road committee to obtain more information on the road’s ownership. The proposed committee would be composed of a council member, a representative of Trout Lake Campground, ratepayers from McGillivary Lake, Sheen Lake, Trout Lake, McDonald Lake, Pike Lake, and representatives from the Pingouin Club and the ATV club. “We can work together and fight for more grants through MRC Pontiac and some financial support from the municipality,” he said.
The road began as a colonization road in 1959 and would have remained so had the municipality not maintained it after 1993, according to correspondence received by property owner Mike Allard from the MRNF. The municipality, MRNF, and the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD) are not legally obligated to maintain the road, but the municipality continues to offer assistance where possible since they are not in a financial position to maintain it in its entirety. Although logging companies use the road, they do little to maintain it, and stumpage fees are non-existent given the road’s current multi-use classification.
Council has stated on several occasions that it is always possible for ratepayers on Trout Lake Road to present their issues or projects to council and request assistance.
Council also discussed reducing council seats from six to four, which was defeated by a vote of 4-2.
Photo – Trout Lake Rd. cottage owner Claire Rivet addresses council at the Dec.
2 meeting. (PS)