By Laurie Watt

Barrie will spend $10,000 to study whether it should implement a no-whistle zone along the GO train line in the city’s south end.

The item was the only last-minute change to this year’s $120-million operating budget. City staff originally axed the initiative, but Ward 9 and 10 Councillors Andrew Prince and Alex Nuttall called for the study, which could create a no-whistle zone.

“Thousands of residents are being disturbed early in the morning and some on shift work in the late afternoon. We’re looking after our residents in Wards 9 and 10 – $10,000 for a study is warranted,” said Prince.

Nuttall argued the city needs to commission a study, in order to protect the integrity of its noise bylaw. Further, he noted, one GO train crossing is near a proposed nursing home in the Tollendal Village.

But some councillors raised concerns about the $10,000 price tag.

“It’s a pretty high price to be paying. What are we hoping to accomplish?” asked Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard.

“What is the impact if the study comes back and says it’s unacceptable for trains to blow whistles? Then what, in terms of liability, in terms of cost to the municipality?”

City clerk Dawn McAlpine said the city would have to declare its intention to establish a whistle-free zone, and may have to implement other safety measures to mitigate the loss of the whistle, as suggested by Transport Canada.

“We assume liability if the whistle ceases at council’s direction,” she said, although she could not estimate the impact on the cost of insurance.