Meaford council met in closed session for a second time Tuesday (October 11) to discuss their options after Meaford's lawsuit against property owners along Georgian Beach Road was dismissed by a Superior Court Justice on September 21.
Council had previously met in a closed session meeting on October 3rd, and at that time Deputy Mayor Harley Greenfield had indicated that a decision about a possible appeal would be made by October 11.
The meeting Tuesday began at 3 pm with two items on the in-camera agenda; the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library Agreement, and the Georgian Beach Road lawsuit. The closed session ended approximately 75 minutes later in order to proceed with the public committee of the whole agenda, however council had not finished their discussion of the ruling, so they again went into closed session at the conclusion of the public meeting.
Deputy Mayor Greenfield spoke to reporters outside of the council chamber prior to going back into closed session, and he said that council wasn't ready to decide what to do next.
“Apparently from the information we got today, we have until the 31st to file an appeal,” said Greenfield, “There's still some discussion to be had around the table. We have a few options, and there's one that started off without much support, but as the discussion went around the table, it seemed to grow.”
Greenfield would not say what options council is considering.
“I'd rather not say anything because it hasn't been decided,” said Greenfield adding, “I'm not trying to be evasive, but that's about the best I can tell you.”
Greenfield also said that council does not yet know how much they may have to pay the defendants for legal costs, or where that money will come from.
“Until we get the claims in, and we haven't seen them yet, we won't know,” offered Greenfield, “I don't really want to comment on that, we'll have to cross that bridge when we get there.”
