EAST FERRIS — The provincial government is giving the Township of East Ferris over $1 million to repair damage caused by sudden and severe rain in August.

“I think it’s just great,” said Mayor Bill Vrebosch when the funding announcement was made last week. “Without this disaster funding it would have taken our township at least five years to bounce back from the financial impact of all the repairs that have to be done to our infrastructure.”

On Aug. 5 heavy rains concentrated in the East Ferris and Bonfield area caused significant damage to roads as well as a number of homes and businesses.

“It was amazing how much water came down,” said Vrebosch. “The rain caused a chain reaction where we had roads collapsing all over the place, motorists stranded and residents unable to leave their homes. It was the biggest washout in years with holes in the roads as big as trucks.”

Although the government funding falls $200,000 short of the township’s estimated repair costs, Vrebosch said “considering the financial climate of the day, I’m really pleased the government came through for us. I specifically want to thank our MPP Monique Smith for her commitment to the community. She was right here the morning after the rainstorm to see firsthand the extent of the damage, and she worked had to ensure this funding was delivered. I have to give credit where credit is due.”

The much-needed money, received from the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program, will be split into two payments.

“We’re going to get 50 per cent up front, and the other 50 per cent when we present the bills for repairs,” Vrebosch said.

Currently, the municipality has spent $300,000, earmarked for other infrastructure project, to do emergency repair work.

“That’s money we had to defer from other approved work,” he said. “We put off the paving of our section of Alderdale Road, and other work on McPherson Drive, Quaker Way and Nosbonsing Park Road. Now we will be able to get back to those projects.”

The provincial money also means East Ferris will be able to upgrade certain sections of the infrastructure repair to mitigate damages from severe changing weather patterns such as last August’s storm.

“If we can put in a bigger culvert, we now have the money to do that,” said Vrebosch. “It’s no secret that climatic change is going to make a difference in municipal infrastructure needs and we have to start planning for more instances like this past summer. If we delay doing that, ultimately the replacement costs will become even more costly.”

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith said the funding “will help East Ferris in their recovery efforts and ensure that the community has safe roads. After my visits to the sites in August I was aware of the need and I am pleased that our government could assist the municipality in this crisis.”

Neighbouring Bonfield Township also received disaster funding in the amount of $1.3 million.

“The people of Bonfield are relieved and happy to hear that we have been given funding to repair the extensive damage throughout the township caused by last August's storm,” said Bonfield mayor Narry McCarthy.

McCarthy experienced the storm damage firsthand  as she tried to navigate her way home from work on Aug. 5 and repeatedly had to backtrack and bypass flooded and washed out roads.

“The community was literally cut off after all but one of the entrances to Bonfield were closed because they were impassable,” she said. “The only way into the township was by Rutherglen Line to Development Road. I have never seen anything like it.”

The disaster funding “will cover most of our expenses,” she said, “and will assure that Boisvert Street is repaired. That road, in the centre of town, was completely washed out and many of the residents along there experienced some of the worst damage to property.”  

Without the province’s assistance, McCarthy said the township’s only alternative to find money for the repairs would have been to raise taxes, “and I really didn’t want to see that happen,” she said. “I am thrilled with the province’s assistance and must thank Monique Smith. I know she worked really hard for us and I don’t know what we would have done without that support.”

Like Vrebosch, she is also hoping the money will enable Bonfield to upgrade culverts and make other mitigating changes in likes of  future storms.

“The provincial support will be a big boost to Bonfield,” said Smith, “and I’m pleased we could help them in their recovery efforts”

With both municipalities now ready to continue their repair work, the next step is to try and get some provincial funding for residents left with extensive private property damage.

A joint citizens committee is now being put together to make an application, “but it’s a pretty onerous project and must be completely citizen driven,” said Vrebosch. “The townships will assist in any way they can, to help our residents in this cause. I know there are many people who truly deserve some help with this.”