HAGERSVILLE—When Liliana and Isaac Romaker moved from Hamilton to Hagersville, they were looking for a fresh start after a difficult year that included long hospital stays for their youngest child and the loss of a son.
Part of that fresh start were plans for the creation of a memorial garden in their new backyard – a tribute to their late son, who was lost during childbirth – filled with flowers brought from his funeral.
But more than a year later, the garden remains unfinished, and the Romakers say the reason is simple: a Bell utility pole stands directly in the middle of their plans.
“We fell in love with the property because it had the big backyard I always wanted,” said Liliana. “I’m a big gardener, and we wanted to fill it with flowers and create a space that celebrates him. But the pole is right in the way, and we can’t move forward.”
According to the Romakers, the pole is not only an aesthetic barrier, but also a safety concern.
The couple pointed to the age of the pole and to overhead lines running through heavy tree branches, some of which have shown signs of strain.
“During the last windstorm, some branches came down,” Liliana said. “Thankfully they didn’t hit the lines, but a good wind could pull them down. The lines are low, and I have kids playing in the yard.”
The Romakers say they contacted Bell shortly after moving in, starting a months long back-and-forth conversation about relocating the pole.
The couple says Bell told them the pole serves the entire street, as well as a nearby school, and that there was no alternate location available at the time.
“They basically said eventually it will happen, but they didn’t know when,” said Liliana. “I don’t know if that means a year, five years, or 10 years. In the meantime, we can’t use that part of the yard.”
The couple says Bell offered them a few thousand dollars to leave the pole where it is; it was an offer they turned down.
Instead, the Romakers proposed several alternatives: moving the pole to the corner of the property behind their shed, compensating them annually for keeping it in place until it can be relocated, or moving it to a different location entirely.
“That corner is out of the way and wouldn’t interfere with anything,” said Liliana. “I wouldn’t even care if they put an easement on the property for it to stay there.”
After initially indicating they would move the pole, Liliana says Bell stopped providing updates or timelines.
“They sent a text saying they were going to move it, and then nothing. I’ve been following up, but no one gets back to me. The contractors I hired for the garden can’t wait forever, so they’ve moved on to other projects.”
The Romakers say the uncertainty has left their backyard torn up and their plans on hold.
“I have half a garden done, with areas dug up and waiting to be cleared so equipment can come through safely without hitting the lines,” Liliana explained. “Right now, everything is just stalled.”
The couple says there is no easement in their property deed for the pole and that they have received no compensation for its placement.
“I don’t want to cut anyone off,” said Liliana. “We have a lot of seniors in the neighbourhood, and the last thing I want is to cut someone’s phone line. I just want Bell to work with us. But they’re not responding.”
With the issue at a standstill, the Romakers say their only remaining option may be legal action – something they are reluctant to pursue due to cost.
“I don’t want to spend more money going after Bell to move a pole that shouldn’t even be there without an agreement,” said Liliana. “But I also can’t just abandon our plans. This was supposed to be a peaceful place for our family, and right now it’s just a source of frustration.”
Despite the challenges, Liliana says she still hopes for a resolution that will allow them to move forward.
“I’m willing to negotiate,” she said. “All I want is a plan and a timeline, so we can honour our son the way we hoped to when we moved here.”
Bell did not respond to requests for comment by publication deadline.
