The Municipality performs routine maintenance along our roadsides to ensure that they are safe. The Vegetation Management Program, where we clear brush and spray for weeds, helps improve sight lines, overhead clearances for large vehicles, roadside clearances for road maintenance equipment, snow storage areas, and safe winter driving.

 Brush Clearing

Brush Clearing work includes the removal and/or trimming of hazardous vegetation including low hanging tree branches, shrubs and dead, diseased or hazardous trees. In areas where there is a higher density of this material, mechanical equipment will be used.

Wood material is safely left on site, and mitigated and removed as part of the Municipal Stormwater Program at a later date in the year. 

Staff will be informing residents in advance of work happening on their road. Work will mostly be completed in the winter and spring in advance of any summer construction projects that year. Timing of the work will be dependent on the weather conditions and work will not occur before 6 a.m. 

The schedule of work will ensure that all of the road allowances are maintained on a rotational basis to ensure they are safe for everyone that uses them.
 Weed Spraying

The 2023 weed spraying program is in place to control and eradicate Wild Chervil, which is deemed a noxious weed in the Province of Ontario.

2023 Weed Spraying Locations

Herbicide spraying for Wild Chervil will take place between June 15th and July 15th, weather permitting. It will only be applied where needed (in overgrown and weedy areas), and will not be applied to manicured lawns.

The product will be applied using a broad cast spraying unit along the Municipal right of way (both sides) on the following road sections:

  • 22 Sideroad from Grey Road 112 to 7th Line
  • 22 Sideroad from 11th Line to end 
  • 25 Sideroad from 11th Line to 7th Line
  • 7th Line from Highway 26 to end
  • 11th Line from Highway 26 to 25 Sideroad 
  • St. Vincent-Sydenham Townline from Highway 26 to Sideroad 27
  • 2 Concession N from Highway 26 to Sideroad 8
  • 4 Concession N from Highway 26 to Sideroad 27
  • 5 Concession N from Highway 26 to Sideroad 15 
  • 5 Concession N from Sideroad 15 to end
  • 6 Concession N from Highway 26 to Sideroad 30
  • 8 Concession N from Highway 26 to Sideroad 24
  • Sydenham-Lakeshore Dr from Grey Road 15 to Harbour Drive 
  • Sideroad 8 from Sydenham-Lakeshore Dr to Concession B
  • Sideroad 23 from Sydenham-Lakeshore Dr to Bayshore Road
  • Sideroad 18 from Sydenham Lakeshore Dr to Concession A
  • Concession B from Sideroad 8 to end
  • Bayshore Road from Grey Road 15 to Sideroad 18
  • Sideroad 22 from 6 Concession N to 2 Concession N
  • Sideroad 22 from 8 Concession N to end 
  • Sideroad 24 from 6 Concession N to St. Vincent-Sydenham Townline 
  • Sideroad 27 from 6 Concession N to St. Vincent-Sydenham Townline
  • Sideroad 30 from 6 Concession N to St. Vincent-Sydenham Townline

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wild Chervil?
Wild Chervil is an invasive plant from the Carrot/Parsley family, native to Europe. It is generally found along roadsides, field edges, streams and pastures. When mature, it can out-compete native plants, and agricultural crops with its large amounts of seeds that spread easily. It is extremely hard to control with a large root system and resistance to many herbicides.
 What kind of herbicide will be used in Meaford?

The following pesticides will be used, which are registered under the Pest Control Product Act (Canada): Clearview Herbicide, which contains the active ingredients Aminopyralid, present as potassium salt and Metsulfuron - methyl (Registration Number 29752) in combination with Gateway Adjuvant, which contains active ingredients Paraffinic Oil, and Alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants (Registration Number 31470); FLEX Herbicide, which contains the active ingredients Metsulfuron – methyl and Aminocyclorpyrachlor (Registration number 30922) in combination with Hasten NT Ultra Spray Adjuvant, which contains active ingredients Methyl and ethyl oleate (Registration Number 31760)
 Why spray for Wild Chervil?

Under the Provincial Weed Control Act, The Municipality of Meaford, like all landowners in Ontario, is responsible for the destruction of noxious weeds on its property.

Wild Chervil has the ability to out-compete native plants in ditches, woodlot edges and pasturelands. It can also play host to a disease which affects Carrots, Celery and Parsnips.

Wild Chervil is a biennial plant and is spread through seed dispersal (wind, water, birds or even other wildlife). It grows on average 1-4 feet but can be over 6 feet tall, and can spread again if any pieces are left behind.

Repeated mowing of this plant before it has gone to seed can deplete the root reserve, resulting in its eventual decline. 
Is the product safe for humans?
Yes, once the herbicide has dried it is safe to walk through for humans.
Is the product safe for wildlife and insects?
Studies indicate no mortality or lethal effects in honey bees following oral or contact exposure. There is low to no risks to pollinators. Overall, the product is considered safe for use.
 How does the product work?
The herbicide stops the growth of plants by interfering with hormonal balance for shoot and root development, stopping the plant from growing. It works best on plants in a growth phase as the herbicide is quickly taken up by the leaves, stems and roots of the plants. Effects may be seen within a few days.
What can I do to help?

Currently, there are no products approved for spraying Wild Chervil on private property, but residents are still responsible for destroying noxious weeds on their land. Taking the following three steps can help eliminate Wild Chervil within the Municipality of Meaford.

  1. Report any wild chervil sightings to us through our Report a Concern Form, or by calling 519-538-1060.
  2. Take action by:
    1. Grubbing out or cutting to prevent Wild Chervil from going to seed.
    2. If the Wild Chervil has already flowered, cut and bag the plants and leave them in direct sunlight for several days. Then dispose by burning or burying deep underground.
  3. Once the plant is removed, be careful not to move the infected soil and remember to thoroughly clean equipment, vehicles and footwear before leaving the infested site.

For Further information on programs, contact:

Jeff Fries
Manager of Transportation and Fleet Services
Municipality of Meaford
157859 7th Line, Meaford
519-538-1060 extension 1309 | jfries@meaford.ca

 

For Further information on the herbicides used for weed spraying, contact:

Steve Ford

Green Stream Lawn and Vegetation Management Inc.

1-905-510-1229

 

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