THE Corporation of Hamilton has this week defended itself against claims of illegal dealings and a disregard for the environment.

Former Corporation councillor and prominent eco-activist Graeme Outerbridge alleges that a Belco transformer currently sitting in Par-la-Ville Park was erected in the green space without the proper permissions.

Mr. Outerbridge claims that Belco was granted only a temporary permit to build the structure in Par-la-Ville Park during the first stages of construction of the new Orbis building on the corner of Front Street. However, the former councillor claims the transformer's continued presence is illegal, as even the temporary permission was granted "outside of the committee process".

"Right now, in the middle of the park, is a transformer," Mr. Outerbridge said.

"It was given temporary permission, but it needs to be moved. Right now it is an illegal structure in the park. The promise was that it would be transferred when the 2nd floor of the Orbis building was put in."

The environmental activist added that the construction of the Belco transformer in Par-la-Ville Park "goes against every principle of green space". In addition, he claims the Mayor greenlit the erection of the structure without full committee approval.

"This never went through the proper process ¿ the Corporation was 'negotiating with Belco'," he said.

"The truth of the matter, the bottom line, is that the Chief Engineer, the Mayor and one other alderman granted permission. They did it, then told the councillors that it was a temporary structure. There was no resolution allowing the structure. On the Par-la-Ville side, there is a pad-mounted transformer that is not supposed to be there. This went outside the meeting process and committee process."

New Corporation of Hamilton secretary Edward Benevides has refuted Mr. Outerbridge's allegations, adding that the transformer ¿ which moves energy from one circuit to another through conductors¿- does not represent a public safety risk, despite its location in the middle of the park.

"There is a pad transformer in Par-la-Ville Park supplying power to two other buildings to the east of Orbis, on two lots," he explained.

"As soon as construction is completed, it is certain to be moved inside, underneath the building."

While Belco spokesperson Linda Smith declined to comment, Mr. Benevides assured concerned residents that the Corporation is working hand in hand with the electric company to move the transformer out of the park as soon as possible. He did not comment on the legality of the structure, nor Mr. Outerbridge's allegations of permission granted without due process.

"We're looking to work with Belco," he said. "We don't have an opportunity to move it out of the park until one of the buildings is finished. It is totally safe, and there is no public safety hazard."

Mr. Outerbridge did not question the safety of the transformer, but its presence in one of the City's only open spaces ¿ a spot frequented by Hamilton's workers on lunch breaks, as well as an area of interest for visitors.

"It is an illegal structure," he said. "In the history of the park, there should be a green area inviolate."

This latest controversy come just weeks after the Mid-Ocean News learned of Belco's proposal to uproot a large section of Par-la-Ville Park in order to build a new energy substation.

Sources close to the project confirmed that Belco asked the Corporation to consider a "facility upgrade", as the current substation ¿ located in the car park next to the green space ¿ has reached capacity. Belco argued that without the necessary upgrade, and with all the construction planned for Hamilton, it would be impossible to keep the lights on in the City. The electricity company intends to have the new substation in place by the summer of 2010.