Instead, they will only have to pay $29 per home.

The confusion started when the town was informed Hillcrest Park and surrounding areas were severely infested with gypsy moths.

Tress Unlimited informed city staff that each of the 27 lots in the area could be sprayed at a discounted rate of $157.50 each, including $52.50 per lot to spray the condos on Concord Avenue. However, residents living in the area argued that while they are not against spraying their properties, the method to which costs were allocated was done unfairly.

The total area sprayed was six acres of Hillcrest Park and 1.11 acres of homeowner property, or, 83.5 per cent town property and 16.41 per cent homeowner property. About a 30-foot strip along 27 homeowners' properties was sprayed.

Frank Feeley, who lives on Blackwood Crescent., made a presentation on behalf of the residents. He said that Tress Unlimited calculated the entire property of each homeowner into the cost rather than just the 30 foot strip.

He argued that residents should only have to pay for the areas which were sprayed.

"The striking point was the town had 80 per cent of the property and only paid 15 per cent of the bill. The homeowners are prepared to pick up their portion of the bill based on their portion of the area being sprayed," he said. "This would work out to be $29 per homeowner."

Feeley also told council that residents' only choice was to participate in the spray program.

"When we received a letter it was not assumed if you didn't say something you would participate. Most homeowners thought they had an option.

Nowhere did it ever say it was all or nothing."

Other residents said there were no city staff present at the meeting with Trees Unlimited in the spring and that if city staff were present it's likely there wouldn't have been a mix-up.

"Trees Unlimited showed up by themselves. We asked if there was someone from the town because nobody understood the billing method," Pat Griepsma told Niagara This Week.

"Now I understand there was a disconnect between the town's decision and Trees Unlimited."

After the presentation made by Feeley, some councillors argued that waiving a portion of the costs would set an unfavourable precedent among council.

Coun. Malcolm Allen said that other residents could be asking the town to waive fees in the future.

"They may be knocking on the door saying, 'How about me?' " said Allen, who advised council to seek legal advice before making a decision. Other councillors seemed supportive of the residents' concerns, arguing there was miscommunication.

"There's no blame, it's just a disconnect," said Coun. Peter Papp who argued in favour of the town covering the entire costs. Coun. Sharon Cook noted on the importance of spraying the homeowners' properties.

"Had we not sprayed them, it would have been a detriment. I don't think we had a choice."

In the end, council voted that each homeowner would pay their portion of the costs for the spray program.

Each homeowner will be billed $29.