We are the owners of 274 George St., Amherstburg. We are both retired, on fixed incomes, 75 and 80-years-old, and both suffer from several significant health issues, including cardiac and mobility issues.
On Sept. 26, the manager of licensing and enforcement for the town appeared at our home to discuss, for the first time, some details of the pending George Seymour Sewer Project. Because the front porch (there when we bought the house) was now considered to be encroaching on the town road allowance, we would receive a letter with information about actions we would soon have to take. It is doubtful the town made the decision to start this sewer work just before he arrived at our property.
We know this decision has been bounced around for years, so why are we only hearing about this, and the decisions we have to make, at the eleventh hour? Decisions that not only impact on us financially, but also emotionally.
On Oct. 4, the manager returned with “the letter,” now advising us that the “order to comply” gave us two options: entering into an encroachment agreement with the town (paying a considerable amount of administrative fees, at least $475, plus annual “penalty fees”).
We would also be responsible for added liability insurance costs plus being responsible for the costs of providing a “survey sketch,” another couple hundred dollars.
The timeframes given in the letter, to enter into an encroachment agreement with the town no later than Oct. 31, 2024 or to remove our entire porch from our property (at our cost, more money) by Nov. 15. We weren’t advised there would be opportunity or more negotiation, or extension of these deadlines. We have directed a letter to Mayor Prue and members of council, regarding our concerns and situation.
However, we do not seem to be able to get a full clarification from the town as to how and when parts of our property have apparently become “encroachments,” and why we are suddenly being penalized.
Along George St., there are approximately another ten dwellings also in the same boat.
The fact these issues are now apparently on the Oct. 28 council meeting agenda to discuss begs the question “how do we possibly comply with the short time frames given, when there will only be three days left in October?”
We are very frustrated and upset at how this process is being handled by the town.
—Judy Carter and Anne Purtell
Amherstburg