Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Eva Hall represented a number of Monk’s Cove residents Monday at Cobourg council to urge action on the damaged waterfront area as soon as possible.
The significant damage from the 2017 flooding hit that community hard, Hall said, and not much has been done in the ensuing year.
“A temporary fix of sand and stone very quickly went back into Lake Ontario,” she said.
“Our taxes just went up $50 a month and, quite frankly, this does feel like a little bit of an insult when we are worried about our property values decreasing. We are very worried.”
Hall said she’d heard a $2-million estimate to fix this situation, which in itself shows the extent of the damage to the seawall.
“We understand that funding is an issue. However, the collapse of the shoreline is inevitable unless quick and permanent measures are taken. Are we really going to postpone restoration until it’s $5-million instead of the $2-million that has been quoted?” she asked.
“Many people enjoy this park and have spoken to me of the sadness and frustration they feel as they look at this so-called temporary fix that is becoming more of a permanent fixture.”
“It’s a great concern to all of us, believe me,” Mayor Gil Brocanier said.
“Do you realize the big guy in the picture is the Federal government, because of the Great Lakes?” Councillor Forrest Rowden asked Hall.
“That’s where we have to go for funding to do this, and that’s a fairly long process. Just how long it’s going to be before we get the money, I have no idea, but I’d like to say we can fix it tomorrow.
“We can only hope God doesn’t give us any more weather like we got last year.”
Deputy Mayor John Henderson related an attempt to get a $171,000 grant that failed.
Council did pass a motion to reallcoate funds of up to $50,000 from the Parks Reserve fund for a temporary repair to the retaining wall this year. Director of Public Works Laurie Wills said they had been fortunate enough to have a contractor lined up who can do the work within 48 hours of being given notice.
The $2-million that has been quoted would be for a replacement of the sea wall, which is probably inevitable given the higher water levels these days, Wills added.
Until such time as that funding can be arranged, she said, repairs must be done to buy the time to get a replacement arranged.
