WL has injunction to cease dumping

1,000 trucks were expected in one-week span when first injunction obtained

By Mike Williscraft
NewsNow

Injunctions have been obtained by the Township of West Lincoln to halt the influx of fill into the municipality.

The problem is not a new one, but it reached a breaking point in March when it was learned as many as 1,000 were expected in the span of one week.

For many months, the township has been working on developing a by-law to deal with the dumping of fill which has been shipped to the area from construction sites across southern Ontario. Among the issues, none of the fill has been tested for possible contaminants of any kind.

In particular, many comments and concerns have been raised regarding sites on Hwy. 20 and another nearl Grimsby Road and Concession 7.

Last fall, as part of their by-law review, council held a public meeting regarding proposed changes which would give the municpality more control over what gets dumped into the township.

Opponents say the township has no right to control what individuals do with their land.

Coun. Joann Chechalk said West Lincoln has a by-law in place but it does not go quite far enough to protect the residents of the municipality.

“We have a by-law in place that prohibits importing of fill,” Chechalk said.

“Council is looking at the site alteration bylaw again next month. We (were granted) the injunction because of the by-law. The matter is before the courts now and so I can’t say anything else at the moment.”

Chechalk did note, after an initial injunction expired, the township’s lawyers did go back to court to obtain in extension which expires April 21.

In the meantime, some trucks have “been trying to sneak in but were caught.”