Concerns raised over aboiteau

West Hants councillors are looking to express their concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Hantsport aboiteau directly to its owner.

Three provincial employees of the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal — Barbara Baillie (executive director of highway maintenance and operations), Paul Lefleche (director) and Mark Peachey (district director) — attended an in-camera meeting Jan. 23 with West Hants council.

The public was not privy to the discussions held at the meeting. When council chambers reopened to the public around 6 p.m., Coun. Jennifer Daniels made a motion to direct staff to write a letter to Bob Schmidt, president and owner of the Windsor and Hantsport Railway Company Ltd., to express council’s concerns with the deterioration of the aboiteau in Hantsport.

The railway tracks are precariously positioned above the failed aboiteau (a dike sluice gate) and are not used any more other than by private individuals.

Residents and councillors have been expressing their concerns over the amount of tidal flow now entering the Halfway River from the Minas Basin for months. The aboiteau’s function was to allow water out at low tide but block excessive water from entering at high tide.

The excess water that is now entering the system is damaging the Halfway River bridge and causing more of the banks to erode, they allege.

Deputy Warden Paul Morton said council couldn’t provide more details on the developing situation.

“Can’t say a word other than we’re writing a letter,” said Morton following the meeting.

Interim chief administrative officer Martin Laycock said the letter will be ready for council’s Feb. 13 meeting. If given the green light that night, it will be sent right away, he said.