Fifty thousand dollars isn’t a whole lot of money for a multi-million dollar entity like the City of Belleville, but there was quite a bit of discussion about that amount of cash at city council Tuesday.
A short stretch of Maitland Drive between Mineral Road and Parks Drive is full of potholes and is getting worse.
City staff suggested paving that stretch as a stopgap measure before a major reconstruction of Maitland Drive expected next year. The temporary work would cost around $50,000.
However, council was evenly split at three votes apiece and the project was turned down. All Belleville councillors voted against the paving and all Thurlow councillors voted in favour.
Those voting against said the money should be spent on one of the many other streets or roads that weren’t being reconstructed in the near future.
Mayor Taso Christopher declared a conflict of interest as he is a partner in a business that owns some property in the area and left the room while the discussion and vote took place.
City staff will attempt to find the money somewhere else in the budget for a cheaper fix.