Blake Ellis/The Independent

A visit by Thornhill MPP Laura Smith to Oil City seems to have disappeared from the Progressive Conservative politician’s list of priorities this summer.

Smith, who serves as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, had promised to come to Oil City this summer to see the lagoon at Oil City.

Enniskillen Township Mayor Kevin Marriott spoke with Smith at a Western Warden’s meeting at Queen’s Park in early May, broaching the possibility of more housing in Oil City.

The township faces a hurdle to adding housing to the community – an upgrade to the lagoon and sewer system in the hamlet.

Marriott pegged the cost of the project at $1 million.

Smith, Marriott told council after his return to Lambton, promised to visit Oil City over the summer, even though an exact date was not determined.

Marriott is in Ottawa attending the Association of Municipalities of Ontario convention until Aug. 19. The mayor participated in the Enniskillen Township council meeting by Zoom on Monday.

The mayor tracked down officials in Smith’s office, but the news wasn’t good.

“I am a little disappointed,” said Marriott, as he described the discussion he had with Smith’s staff on Sunday.

Staff said she wouldn’t be making the trip and apologizes were given.

“I am not going to leave it alone,” Marriott told council.

He wants to see if Smith will commit to a visit before summer is over.

The mayor was glad he is attending the conference for that issue alone, calling it his big issue for Enniskillen. Even if the pending meeting with Smith takes place and goes well, Marriott has previously speculated that submitting a proposal to the province for an upgrade to the sewer system and lagoon will likely take two or three years, given the time it takes to plan a project of this size.

Within the existing footprint of Oil City, Marriott thinks there is a possibility of 50 to 60 new lots being surveyed if the township develops the same size of lots that exist in the hamlet now.