One Windsor-Essex community has officially kicked off a project designed to help residents resolve tiffs among themselves.
The Town of Tecumseh has started a one-year pilot project that provides conflict resolution for matters that are not covered by the town's regulation or by-laws. The program is in partnership with Community Mediation Windsor-Essex (CMWE).
The program, which was approved by Tecumseh Town Council in July, is free of charge and voluntary.
"We are pleased to be working with Community Mediation of Windsor-Essex on this important service for our community," said Mayor Gary McNamara. "As we have found over the years, not every neighbourhood dispute involves a Town by-law or regulation and for many cases, having an independent mediator with expertise in conflict resolution can help settle disputes."
Community mediation consists of volunteer mediators who help people who are involved in a dispute work out a fair resolution of their own. The program also provides opportunities for helping to repair relationships and empowering all parties to resolve anything else that may come up.
Judy Lund, the strategic development manager for Family Services Windsor-Essex, said communities across Ontario have taken up this conflict-resolution process.
"Other municipalities in Ontario have found a benefit in using this type of service for neighbourhood disputes and we are hopeful it will have the same success locally," said Lund. "Many property owners do not realize that a situation that may seem large and hopeless can be resolved simply by working through the concerns and reaching an amicable solution together."
Ward 1 councillor Andrew Dowie told BlackburnNewsWindsor.com in July that his hands are often tied, as residents contact him regarding these conflicts and there isn't much he can do to help.
"The municipality can regulate what’s within its sphere. That includes the public right of way and certain property standards or zoning conditions,” Dowie said. “But when there are disputes involving private property, that could be trespassing with landscaping or your pet has damaged the fence, that’s what this community mediation program is hopefully going to make some headway on."
The program will run through September 2021. At that time, a report will be made to the town council on success and contact rates, as well as uptake.
Complete details on this pilot project can be found at the town's official website.
-With files from Adelle Loiselle
