It appears that a petition signed by 374 residents is too little too late to stop construction on the $25-million wastewater treatment plant on Ebbtide Street in Sechelt.
Ebbtide resident Betty Ann Pap presented the petition to council during the July 3 regular meeting. She said those who signed it weren't happy with council's decision to build a new wastewater treatment plant in downtown Sechelt.
They request the District to reverse the decision to build a wastewater treatment plant on Ebbtide Street, Pap said.
She noted there were more than 374 supporters of the petition, but not everyone would sign their names.
Other people also object, but are afraid to sign their names because some people on this council can be and have been petty and vindictive, calling people who don't agree with them bullies in press releases, Pap said.
She questioned why council didn't decide to build the new plant on Lot L off Dusty Road, which was purchased for that purpose by the previous council.
The best location for the wastewater treatment plant, Lot L, has consistently been recommended by all advisories that you've asked, Pap said.
Ultimately the decision was left to the successful bidder on the project, Maple Reinders Inc.
Pap chastised council for leaving that decision up to someone other than Sechelt taxpayers.
My point is that in a true democracy council listens to the public before making major decisions, Pap said. You have made your decision behind closed doors and this council has strangely made a U-turn on the original site chosen for Lot L. This is wrong, and you should be ashamed of yourselves and your secrecy.
Council did not engage Pap during her presentation, as is the general protocol at council meetings, but Mayor John Henderson spoke about what might happen next during the question and answer period after the meeting.
The process of a delegation is that council receives it. We listen, and if council wishes to address it in a future meeting, we'll do so, Henderson said. It's not my position to commit council, but it's up to council to take that under consideration in the future.
Construction at the Ebbtide site has already begun and Henderson said concrete would likely be poured in the next few weeks.
