Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Water rates are going up for residents of Middlesex Centre. At its November 20th meeting, Middlesex Centre council approved proposed rate hikes of 2% for water, 4% for wastewater and 3% for stormwater for 2025 over the 2024 rates. The financial impacts for residents cited in a staff report, include bringing a total fixed monthly charge of $24.72 for water and $33.60 for wastewater in 2025. The increased rates are expected to generate for municipal reserve funds, an extra $75,000 in revenue from water rates, $145,000 from wastewater rates, and $35,000 from stormwater rates.
Council also approved a new scheduled of municipal fees and charges for 2025. It will cost 15% more to rent facilities at community centres next year. Middlesex Centre residents will be charged 10% more to rent pavilions at major outdoor parks for gatherings of up to 60 people. However, that number jumps to 40% more for non-residents, going from $250 to $350 a day.
The municipality is also imposing a new fee of $150 to charge for the use of water on a construction site.
There are a number of areas where fees haven’t been changed from 2024. Replacing a dog tag will still cost $10, getting a refreshment vehicle license will stand at $1,000, and the cost of a marriage license remains at $150 dollars.
Also at its November 20th meeting, a tie vote meant that council didn’t go ahead with support for rural road safety program as proposed by the advocacy group, Good Roads. The group has proposed leading a 5-year $183 million program with support the province to improve safety on rural roads. The correspondence brought to council cites figures highlighting the dangers of rural roads, including a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities that occur on these roads in Ontario.
Ward 3 councillor Hugh Aerts was among those who voted against supporting the resolution brought to council. “They’ve proposed 183 million dollars without saying what they’re going to spend it on. I think it’s going to be gobbled up by administration. We all know what’s wrong with our roads. People go too fast they don’t stop, they drink…I think we have better use of that money somewhere else,” said Aerts.
The November 20th council meeting began with the official swearing-in of Jean Coles as councillor for Ward 1. Coles was appointed to the position following the resignation of Debbie Heffernan in August.
