CN pays the township

The cost of the March 21 emergency response to a train derailment will not cost Cramahe Township taxpayers a cent.

Emergency Measures Coordinator, Jim Harris reported to Council on September 15 that a cheque had been received from Canadian National for $15,925 to pay Cramahe costs.

The accident on March 21 involved six cars of an eastbound CN train which rerailed near Blyth Park Rd. Of the six cars, two were flatbeds, two tankers carried liquid plastics and two carried 116 tonnes of molten napthalene, a hazardous carcinogenic material which is easily ignited and difficult to extinguish.

Mayor Marc Coombs, CAO Christie Alexander, Works Department Director Barry Thrasher, Fire Chief Gary Cammack, and Mr. Harris were on the scene.

There was a very minor leak which was collected in a bucket and there was no environmental damage.

Mr. Harris says he believes Cramahe is the first municipality to actually be paid for this type of situation.