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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-55-87 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File # Res. # � By-Law # MEETING: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 2, 1987 i REPORT #: ®55 87 FILE #: SUB.ECT: ROADSIDE MAINTENANCE REQUEST - MR. JAMES SLYFIELD I RECOMMENDATIONS: i i �I It is respectfully recommended: l 1 . That this report be received; and, 2. That the Quality Standard for Roadside Mowing be approved; and, 3. That Mr. James Slyfield, R.R. # 1 , Bowmanville, be forwarded a copy of I Report WD-55-87. . . . .2 i Page 2 Report WD-55-87 BACKGROUND AND REPORT: Communications from Mr. James Slyfield, Middle Road, R.R. # 1 , Bowmanville, dated August 6, 1987, was referred to the Public Works Department for review and report. As a result of an earlier telephone conversation with Mr. Slyfield, staff were aware of his concerns with respect to ragweed growing on the roadside and the timing of roadside mowing. A review of the roadsides in the general proximity of the residence supported his claim of thriving ragweed. It was also noted that several signs had been posted requesting "no spray" along Middle Road. Several years ago, the Public Works abandoned its roadside weed spraying and brush control program as a result of the increasing environmental concerns, the numerous requests from area residents to withhold the spray program from this area, and the many "no spray" signs posted on the roadsides. At present, chemical weed control is considered to be the most economical and effective method of controlling noxious weeds and should be encouraged wherever practical. L The second method of controlling weeds is by cutting. Roadside mowing has traditionally been performed primarily to improve the travelling characteristics of the road and to reduce any vision obstruction caused by tall grass or weeds. A secondary benefit is the reduction of noxious weeds. Under the terms of the Weed Control Act, the roadside authority is obliged to control noxious weed growth on its road allowances. Noxious weeds, if not controlled, pose a threat to the agricultural community in reduced production and crop loss. As well, the health and welfare of the travelling public and abutting property owners may also be affected. . . . .3 Page 3 Report WD-55-87 The attached Quality Standard for Roadside Mowing addresses the need to control noxious weeds and allows more flexibility in the level of service to accommodate Mr. Slyfield's concerns. As well, the Quality Standard deals with urban grassed areas on turning circles and rear lot boulevards. Property owners will be encouraged to maintain the boulevards adjacent to their properties and wherever possible, roadside cleanup and ditching will be performed in order that the residents are able to maintain the boulevard with normal lawn care equipment. These initiatives are presently being incorporated in all road construction and maintenance activities. Respect l4submaitte Recommended for presentation to the Committee, David T. Gra Lawrence Kotseff, Deputy Director of Public Works. Chief A i`istrative Officer. DTG:jco October 26, 1987. Attachment (C CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT QUALITY STANDARD FOR ROADSIDE MOWING The major objectives for Roadside Mowing are: To improve visibility and the general appearance of the roadside; To maintain driver safety; To reduce the need for weed and brush control; To reduce the effort required to maintain roadside ditches and shoulders; To prevent drainage obstruction; To reduce drifting under winter conditions. The level of service for roadside mowing shall be in accordance with the following: New grass shall not be mowed during the year in which it is planted; Areas sprayed for weeds shall not be mowed until at least ten (10) days following spraying; Areas considered too dangerous for a mower shall not be cut, specifically cut and fill slopes steeper than 2:1 and greater than 2m in height. . . . .2 U1 Page 2 Quality Standard for Roadside Mowing Rural Roads First Cut: Mow one swath wide when grass reaches a height of ten to twelve inches. Second Cut: Mow one swath or two swaths where required, when grass reaches a height of ten to twelve inches; Mow all site triangles. Third Cut: Only to be accomplished on long growing seasons - Mow one swath wide, all areas subject to drifting snow and excessive weed growth; Mow to a height of three to four inches. General: Hand mowing shall be completed twice per growing season around base of guide posts; Summer Maintenance Roads shall be mowed twice per growing season, one swath wide; Property owners abutting boulevard areas to be encouraged to maintain these areas; Grassed islands and grassed boulevard areas abutting rear lot development and Town-owned land shall be mowed to an aesthetically acceptable condition, generally mow to a height of two to three inches when grass reaches four to six inches; The mowing of noxious weeds shall be in accordance with the Weed Control Act and as directed by the area weed inspector; Roadside mowing to be scheduled to make the most efficient use of labour and equipment resources and to reduce wherever possible, the growth of noxious weeds. (a) C tln- ICATM�S DIRBCTIC% D-1 ��7� PIT �� UIrIi August 6, 1987 0 1 887 Town Council , Corporation of the Town of Newcastle, TO�t` N!i,"CAS AE Bowmanville, Ontario. CLEn . '_?qRT;,; NT Attention: Mayor Winters & Councillors ,On an annual basis residents are reminded of the Noxious Weed by-law. Property owners are required to cut noxious weeds by the end of June or suffer possible consequences. However, I have noted that our municipal governments are perhaps some of the worst offenders when it comes to noxious weeds. I (and thousands of others) was unfortunate to have been born with an allergy to Southern Ontario's most noxious weed - annual RAGWEED - which normally escapes the roadside cutting in June because of its late germination. When the cutting occurs, ragweed is too low to be caught by the cutter blades. Ragweed thrives in the gravelly soil and intense heat of the roadside - to be precise, the three to four foot verge cut in June. During July it prospers so that by August it can stand as high as two feet. Ragweed normally starts to bloom in the first week of August and is spreading its noxious pollen by the ( second week. This blooming and pollinating continues until the first heavy frost. It would be my preference that the roadside cutting on our rural sideroads not occur until late July, or be repeated at that time. Our Ontario municipalities probably all have noxious weed by-laws. But it is obvious that that portion of our rural roads which is easiest to cut or spray is the choicest breeding ground for this most irritating weed. I request that the Town of Newcastle recognize the ragweed problem and take action to reduce its prevalence. I further request that this matter be taken to the Regional Council for their consideration, and to the Association of Ontario Municipalities where some province-wide action might be considered. An annual spray program applied in July to only this relatively small strip of the rural road allowance could bring annual ragweed under -control in Ontario. Your assistance would be meaningful to the many thousands of Ontar' - who annually dread the arrival of the ragweed season. D1STRIBUT10N Thank you. CLERK........bQ.................. ACK. BY................................ ecv�crt ORIGINAL- T0%,0j xx?.c,?.. jRa�mes Slyfield CG9IES TO:: - Y 1, Bowmanville. � FILE...