Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SOUTHWEST MIDDLESEX – At its May 21 meeting, Council approved two infrastructure-related initiatives aimed at improving local road conditions and drainage systems. The first involved a cost-saving resurfacing partnership with Middlesex Centre, and the second addressed the replacement of an aging culvert on the Downie Drain under Section 78 of the Drainage Act.
The approved road work will see two sections—Olde Drive from Thames Road to Dundonald Road and Pratt Siding Road from Centreville Drive to Trillium Drive—receive chip seal treatment in 2025. Mauro Castrilli, the municipality’s Public Works Manager, presented the report to council, recommending that the work be sole-sourced to Middlesex Centre. He noted that this partnership is expected to reduce resurfacing costs by approximately 35% compared to the previous year’s tendered work.
“I think this is a great opportunity to collaborate with another municipality,” said Castrilli. “Middlesex Centre has over 25 years of experience delivering this type of surface treatment on their own network. These savings represent excellent value for taxpayer dollars.”
Castrilli emphasized that this arrangement would enable the municipality to complete more resurfacing work within the approved 2025 roads budget.
The proposal was met with support from council. Councillor Mark McGill noted that the segment on Olde Drive was last treated six years ago and is now in need of an update. “It really needs to be done again,” he remarked, adding that the work on Pratt Siding would complete a stretch that was missed in the previous year. Castrilli clarified that the sole-source agreement applies only to 2025 and would be brought back to council annually for renewal, in accordance with the municipality’s procurement policy.
The motion to proceed with the partnership was moved by Councillor McGill and seconded by Councillor Joel Haggith. It passed unanimously.
Later in the meeting, Council turned its attention to drainage issues, specifically a Section 78 request under the Drainage Act for improvements to the Downie Drain in the former Mosa Township. Andrew Neely, Drainage Superintendent, explained that the request stemmed from a property owner concerned about the condition of their access culvert and the overall state of the drain.
“The existing bridge is too small, and replacing it privately would risk ongoing drainage problems,” Neely told council. He added that the culvert’s sizing and deteriorating condition posed liability risks for both the property owner and the municipality.
Neely also noted that there have been significant changes in the watershed since the Downie Drain was first constructed in 1950, including property severances and the installation of new municipal drains. These changes have made the original cost-assessment schedule outdated and potentially unfair.
Councillor Martin Vink raised concerns about cost-sharing, particularly whether other property owners in the watershed would be required to contribute to the culvert replacement. Neely confirmed that under the Drainage Act, both benefit and outlet assessments would be applied. “Those people’s properties upstream, their water has contributed to the normal decay of that culvert, and so that’s why they’re being assessed a portion,” he explained.
The recommendation to proceed with the replacement of the access bridge and improvements to the Downie Drain under Section 78 was moved by Councillor Ed Myers and seconded by Councillor Haggith. It was approved unanimously.
