Moose FM CFZN 93.5 - Haliburton

Sherborne access road had over a dozen washouts last month. Although the culverts held, the seasonal road needs to be repaired before it can open. The MNR owns the road that would normally open this weekend. The road is the only access for some water trails as well as hunt and campsites in Algonquin Highlands, and they don’t want to lose the tourist opportunities. The township is waiting for a response from the Ministry.

Local landfills are gearing up for flood related garbage that will start coming in this long weekend. Many property owners haven’t been to the area since the flood last month. Algonquin Highlands and Minden Hills will accept the waste free of charge for the next couple of months. To take advantage of the offer in Algonquin Highlands, ratepayers will be asked to register at the landfill sites.

Samaritan’s Purse arrived in Minden this week to help with flood cleanup. Some residents in Algonquin Highlands would like help from the international charity as well. Reeve Carol Moffatt said that anyone can call and ask for help. The organization decides on a case by case basis who they can assist, but downtown Minden is their focus. Contact information can be found on their website.

U-Links came back to Algonquin Highlands this week to give an update on a consumer survey project, proposed earlier this year. The Haliburton-based research company was to partner with students at the University of Wisconsin. Because of lack of interest in the project at the university, the survey was scaled back and would be done online instead of on-the-street. Algonquin Highlands decided not to participate, agreeing the $2,350 contribution could be better spent in the township.

The Province is helping communities like The Township of Minden Hills rebuild and recover from the recent flood damage. Support is being provided through the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP), which will help people in declared disaster areas clean up and repair their homes and small businesses. The up to $18 million in funding will also be used to rebuild essential municipal infrastructure like bridges and roads. Areas receiving support include:  Minden Hills Bancroft, Bracebridge, Huntsville, Lake of Bays, Magnetawan,, Ramara, South Algonquin and Sundridge. The province will continue to work with all affected municipalities to assess the full extent of flood damage and determine eligible costs.  Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing says the province will continue to work with municipal partners to recover and rebuild so that communities can return to normal as soon as possible