Wilmot councillors don’t plan on continuing fight against Hallman Gravel Pit

A gravel pit has sparked huge controversy in Wilmot Township.

After the past Wilmot council unanimously voted to fight against the Hallman pit proposed for 1894-1922 Witmer Road in Shingletown at the Ontario Land Tribunal, the new council decided that they would not uphold that decision.

The community was out in droves for that council meeting that took place almost a year ago, with around 60 delegations, totalling seven hours in a packed council chambers.

Citizens for Safe Ground Water have argued that it would bring a clear danger to the township and Secretary Rory Farnan said that they were caught off guard when they learned that the new council would not be defending the community's wishes.

“At no point prior to the lawyers discussing things with each other did we have any indication whatsoever that council was going to do this,” said Farnan. “It was a complete blindside by our elected officials.”

Farnan expanded on why the pit is so controversial.

“There is a clear and present danger to the people of Shingletown. Citizens for Safe Ground Water are not just sitting around here just being nimby saying we don't want [the pit] because it's in our backyard. We have commissioned the experts. Everything that we've brought to the table to the township and the appicant is based on our experts' reports.”

A settlement was reached between the township and Jackson Harvest Farms which will green-light the pit, and the rezoning of 57.3 hectares from agricultural to extractive industrial as well as 4.3 hectares of wetlands and other natural buffers to open space. This was also recommended by township staff.

After learning about the settlement, Citizens for Safe Ground Water, set up an emergency community meeting for Sunday afternoon. One of the members of Citizens for Safe Ground Water will be speak to council at the next council meeting scheduled for March 6.