Espanola council has decided not to support a request from the Township of Sables-Spanish Rivers to assume about two kilometres of Old Webbwood Road.
In a letter from township Mayor Leslie Gamble asks the town to assume that section of road at the municipal boundary, which would require year-round maintenance for the seven residences in that vicinity.
However, Gamble does not state why they township is asking Espanola to assume ownership.
Espanola’s Public Works Manager Joel Yusko told council with the current staffing levels, the department would only be able to perform the service, but at the detriment of Espanola residents.
He also says it would cost around $14,000 a year to maintain, which does not include the thousands of dollars it would cost to replace culverts or upgrade the road.
Council passed a motion denying the request from the township, but Deputy Mayor Bob Foster says the township can ask for reconsideration of the request by providing more details for such items as tax revenue, return on service, shared costs and the like.