This is a great article on what's going on with the Orangeville Rail line! Orangeville you need to know the agenda of your Council. This needs to stop.
By WES KELLER Freelance Reporter In a rapid succession of rail line events, the Dufferin County sub-committee dealing with lawyers representing The Highland Companies emerged from closed doors last week and moved to discontinue discussions, but before the day was over General Government Services Committee (GSC) moved to have the sub-committee continue considering options for a potential sale of the corridor.
And then, on Saturday, Melancthon Mayor Bill Hill told a public meeting in Honeywood that the topic would be broached at county council when it meets on April 14.
No one is revealing what precisely was discussed privately by the sub-committee and the lawyers on March 21. But Mayor Hill did say in a phone interview Sunday that, in effect, the motion – introduced by him and Amaranth Councillor Brian Besley – told the whole story.
In part, the motion reads: “Whereas the Highland Companies has advised that the track will not be reinstalled on the former rail line until they deem it economically viable, therefore be it resolved that the discussions regarding the sale (to them) be discontinued.”
The subsequent motion at General Services, by Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams and Shelburne Deputy Mayor Ken Bennington, reads “that the Rail Sub-Committee be asked to continue to consider options regarding the potential sale of the former rail line.”
Highland spokesman Michael Daniher didn’t comment on what transpired in the meeting but did say in an interview that “due diligence” on the Orangeville portion of the line is continuing.
On “economic viability,” he said Highland “has said for three years that the railway would need increased volume, more shippers and improved financial performance to be sustainable.
“Our vision remains in place. The real issue is whether the County wishes to restore the railway as part of its plan for economic growth. Calls we have received from municipal officials and from prospective customers suggest the benefits that can be generated by a restored railway,” Mr. Daniher said.
Two issues remaining unanswered were whether Highland’s purchase of the Orangeville- Brampton Railway hinged on acquisition of the county-owned corridor; and to what extent, if any, the restoration of rail is dependent on approval of the proposed quarry.
“Placing the matter in context, our critics seem to believe that if they can stop the railway they will stop the proposed quarry on a portion of the Company’s land in Melancthon Township,” Mr. Daniher responded via email. “As the Company has stated repeatedly, each of its businesses stands on its own merit.
“At the same time, the Company has designed the proposed quarry such that, should rail become available at some point, it could form part of the transportation mix. The quarry application will proceed regardless of whether the County wishes to restore the rail corridor. The one does not depend upon the other,” he said.
Irrespective of what Highland’s intent is, North Dufferin Agriculture and Community Taskforce Vice-President Carl Cosack used an anti-rail argument against a proposed quarry by painting the picture of “potentially” 40 40-hopper quarry trains both ways daily on a restored rail line.
He urged Shelburne council to ask both the County and Orangeville not to sell the line.
On the other hand, Mr. Cosack also said trucks from the quarry, in the absence of rail, would congest the roadways.