Wheatley residents are being invited to a public meeting later this week, 18 months after a gas explosion rocked the community’s downtown.
Chatham-Kent staff and provincial representatives will take part in a public meeting at 6 p.m. on March 1 at the Talbot Trail Golf Course, to provide local residents with information and answer questions.
Earlier this month, the municipality announced that staff would be reaching out to owners to discuss potentially purchasing 11 properties that remain within the Wheatley evacuation zone.
The evacuation zone has been in place in downtown Wheatley since a release of methane hydrogen sulphide caused an explosion on August 26, 2021, which destroyed two buildings and injured 20 people.
If the properties are publicly owned, the municipality said it would allow the community to provide input on a future vision for the area. It would also allow the municipality to implement further safety measures.
The proposal remains in the planning stages and administration will be reporting back to Chatham-Kent Council following the public meeting to determine the next steps.