Excavation in Potential Gas Emission Areas By-law

With input from several divisions of the Municipality, administration has drafted a new Excavation in Potential Gas Emission Areas By-law. The overall terms of the by-law provide that:

• No regulation of excavations that are 6 metres deep or less. This allows for most normal excavations, including construction of basements. It should be noted, however, that it is recommended that any newly constructed basements in the Wheatley area should strongly consider implementation of some gas monitoring equipment.
• Regulation of any excavations that are deeper than 6 metres (called “Deep Excavations” under the by-law). The full by-law should be referred to understand exactly what is proposed, but from a high level the regulation of these,

Deep Excavations involves:

• Applying for a permit to the Chief Building Official for the Deep Excavation.
• Submission of an application and excavation plan which will address:

-Details of the planned excavation, schedule, and site.

-Financial security to ensure work under the permit is performed.

- Insurance.

- Proof of necessary approvals from other agencies.

-Gas monitoring plans.

- A safety plan to be implemented if a gas release occurs; and

-24/7 contact information.

• The ability of the CBO to apply conditions to the permit to protect the environment, people, and property.
• A process for revocation or closing of the permit, including steps required to address any excavation that has already occurred.
• Obligations on the excavator if a gas release occurs; and o Enforcement powers. Due to the unique nature of this by-law, and the importance of getting feedback on how the implementation of this by-law would impact the community, businesses and other stakeholders, administration recommends that a public consultation process be initiated.

Corporate Communication will develop and release a consultation process. Following that process, a further report will be brought to Council with a summary of feedback received, any recommended changes to the Draft By-law, and recommendations on next steps.

For more information visit: Wheatley Emergency Update (escribemeetings.com)

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is excited to welcome Kyra Knapp as the Ontario-funded Economic Developer for Wheatley, embarking on a crucial two-year mission to spearhead the town's economic revitalization. This appointment comes in response to the devastating gas explosion in August 2021, with Wheatley Task Force and Knapp at the helm of a comprehensive recovery and development strategy, fully funded by the province with a budget of $450,000.

Knapp brings to Wheatley her expertise in economic and community development, underpinned by a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her accolades include being named one of EDCO's Top 10 Economic Development Professionals in 2021 and securing a spot in Business Elite's 2023 Top 40 Under 40 in Canada, highlighting her as a visionary leader. Kyra's adeptness in municipal and Indigenous economic development, underscore her comprehensive approach to fostering regenerative economic practices.

Her role will focus on project management for the Wheatley Task Force, driving projects aligned with the municipal-provincial agreement to foster economic growth, supporting business retention &; expansion, engaging with community business leaders, and acting as Wheatley’s ambassador. Her efforts are aimed at promoting recovery and sustainable economic strategies to rebuild and strengthen Wheatley’s community and business landscape.

“We are grateful for the provincial support and for the opportunity from Chatham-Kent to have participated in the selection process,” said Wheatley Task Force Chair Howard Gabert. “We felt that Kyra’s professional background and leadership attributes made her the ideal candidate to take on this important role. We are confident that she will bring significant momentum to Wheatley’s recovery and help the community move forward in a progressive and positive way.”

Stuart McFadden, Chatham-Kent’s Director of Economic Development, echoed this sentiment, “We’re confident that this position and Kyra’s leadership will add significant momentum to Wheatley’s recovery. The future of the community is bright and we know that this position will go a long way in helping the community move forward in a progressive and positive way.”

Knapp’s appointment marks a significant step towards Wheatley's recovery and long-term development, promising to leverage her extensive experience for the benefit and resurgence of the community.

Chatham-Kent Economic Development is committed to fostering a dynamic and resilient economic environment. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community, it aims to drive growth and prosperity across the region.

Imagine Wheatley : Secondary Plan

A meeting to update residents will be held Wednesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. at the Talbot Trail Golf Course, 790 Talbot Trail, Wheatley.

Municipal staff and provincial representatives will be in attendance to provide an update and answer resident questions.

The event will not be hosted on-line but the meeting will be filmed, captioned and posted on the municipal Facebook and You Tube pages before the end of the week.

Wheatley Update December 16

Erie Street North between Talbot Road and Elm Street will re-open to vehicular traffic Monday, December 19.

Fencing has been erected along both sides of the street which has been closed since an explosion in August of last year. It was the last remaining road closure due to the incident.

he street will remain closed to large truck traffic. There will be a pedestrian walk way on the east side of the street.

Buildings along the west side of the block have Prohibited Access by CBO Order.

The east side of the street contains the revised evacuation zone. The zone was recently reduced and there are no longer any single-family residences within that area.

Media Release

December 7, 2022

Plans Underway for Erie Street re-opening

Fencing will be erected along both sides of Erie Street North in Wheatley in preparation for the re-opening of the street which has been closed since an explosion in August of last year.

Fences will be placed along much of the block immediately north of Talbot Road. Buildings along the west side of the block have Prohibited Access by CBO Order.

The east side of the street contains the revised evacuation zone. The zone was recently reduced and there are no longer any single-family residences within that area.

Officials are planning to open the street to two lanes of traffic within the next two weeks. Options to allow pedestrian traffic along the street are being discussed. The street will still be closed to large truck traffic.

A scrubber system designed to capture H2S gas emissions at the site of earlier incidents in downtown Wheatley is now operational.

Filters in the unit will trap any H2S gas and reduce it to zero. The system will remain on site for six months after which a determination will be made for long-term action.

The current flare stack onsite will remain as a backup system for the time being as an additional safety measure.

Officials are preparing a report for Chatham-Kent Council for its December 12 meeting. That report will be listed on https://www.chatham-kent.ca/localgovernment/council/meetings/Pages/Council-Meetings.aspx by noon this Thursday, December 8.

Media Release

November 22, 2022

Wheatley Scrubber System to be Installed this Week

A scrubber system designed to capture H2S gas emissions at the site of earlier incidents in downtown Wheatley is scheduled to be delivered today and installed this week.

Ryan Brown, Chatham-Kent Director of Public Works, said once the system is installed, testing will be undertaken and the unit should be fully operational within the next few days.

The unit, which is being brought in from Ohio, will be placed in the municipal parking lot. Filters in the unit will trap any H2S gas and reduce it to zero.

The current flare stack onsite will remain as a backup system for the time being as an additional safety measure.

-ends-

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Media Release

November 07, 2022

Elm Street and Foster Street to be Reopened Tuesday, November 8

Elm Street between Erie Street North and Little Street and Foster Street between Erie Street North and Victoria in Wheatley will reopen for traffic Tuesday, November 8 by the end of the day.

Ryan Brown, Chatham-Kent Director of Public Works, said the provincial drilling contracting firm has completed its work and demobilized from the site, providing the ability to open the roadway.

Security personnel will remain at the site of the reduced evacuation zone on a 24-hour basis.

The municipality is planning to implement a scrubber system to capture any H2S gas at the site from the monitoring well during the interim monitoring period of the well. This could lead to a further reduction of the evacuation zone and the reopening of Erie Street North between Elm and Talbot Road. The current flare stack onsite will remain as a backup system for the time being as an additional safety measure.

Options to allow pedestrian traffic along the street are being discussed as part of that plan.

Brown said reopening the streets will provide a much improved east-west traffic flow through the community.

Today is the day! The Chatham-Kent Public Library as the Wheatley Branch re-opens for regular service.

The space has been shined up and is ready for your return. We have fresh paint on the outside doors and have professionally cleaned our space from top to bottom! We’ve also invested in a collection refresh. All library services will be available including wifi and computer access; printing and photocopying service and of course all the books, magazines and DVDs that you’re used to enjoying!

Staff can’t wait to welcome you back to the Wheatley Branch! Hours of operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and Wednesdays and Saturdays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Tuesday into Thursday early morning, contractors and a team from the University of Windsor were on site as they conducted a production flow test of the monitoring well in the municipal parking lot. The test ran smoothly, gas was flared off, and all equipment worked as planned. The water from the well was discharged into the sanitary sewer.

Information from the sampling will be used to determine next steps for monitoring.

Residents are reminded, when they see the flare, that means the planned process and equipment is working as intended.

In the meantime, residents are reminded that if at any time you detect the smell of gas, to immediately call 9-1-1.