Possible road closure for Maud birthday party

Roger Varley

A request for a road closure was brought to council during Monday’s meeting. Plans are well underway to hold a special community event on Sunday, July 21, that celebrates the 150th anniversary of author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birth. A report from strategic planning and communications officer Colleen Baskin said downtown merchants are asking that Brock Street be closed to traffic "to promote a festive atmosphere and enjoyment for event participants." Baskin suggested the street be closed for three hours from Spruce Street to Toronto Street and from Toronto Street to Bascom Street. Toronto Street would remain open to traffic.

She noted, however, that closing the street is not a foregone conclusion. She said a permit would be required from Durham Region to close that part of Brock Street that the region owns. Baskin also said if the region requires any fees or costs for the road closure, the application to close the street would have to be withdrawn because the project has no funding "unless funding can be found elsewhere."

When asked why the township could not provide any funding, Public Works director Ben Kester said the last time Brock Street was closed it cost $10,000 to put up barriers and detour signs.