Innisfil, New Tecumseth to get new powerlines
by Richard Blanchard

Two new powerlines through Essa township are being proposed through Essa township to serve the towns of Innisfil and New Tecumseth.

Essa council learned last week that the lines from the newly constructed transformer station, east of Everett on County Road 5, would follow the paths of two existing lines.

The line to serve New Tecumseth, with 44KV conductors and taller poles , would serve as alternate supply route for Honda and would run down County Road 15 (Borden Road) to the fifth sideroad of Essa and then down the third line of Essa to the New Tecumseth boundaries.

The line for Innisfil and Barrie Hydro would run along Essa's 10 sideroad to County Road 27.

Existing lines would be upgraded with higher capacity conductors and taller and wider hydro poles.

Councillor Rick Newlove said that he would prefer to see Hydro One hold a public meeting to inform local residents.

"Council should ask for one. We're looking at some big poles going into place," he said.

Essa CAO Greg Murphy said that Hydro One has already contacted some landowners along the routes on an individual basis.

"I understand that some of them are not very happy," he said.