Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Kudos, comments, and concerns were the order of business as Middlesex Centre mayor Aina DeViet oversaw the semi-annual Town Hall Meeting.
The May 20th meeting coincided with an Open House for the newly-renovated municipal building in Coldstream. “This renovation is a great investment and significant in Middlesex Centre. The new and renovated building will not only meet the needs of our staff members, but residents across out entire municipality,” said DeViet in her remarks. The mayor described the offices and adjacent community facility as a “welcoming space” that’s compliant with accessibility standards and incorporates environmentally sustainable features.
The mayor’s remarks highlighted several key areas. That includes housing and development. DeViet acknowledged that the numbers for the end of 2024 came in under what was hoped, citing negative factors such as inflation and interest rates. “The economic environment around the world is in a state of flux. And the current political and economic environment suggests it’s unlikely that we’ll see meaningful change in the short term,” said DeViet.
However, there was room for optimism, according to the mayor who cited the example of a federal grant of nearly $4.25 million to build new homes under the Housing Accelerator Fund. DeViet also noted proposed provincial legislation designed to cut red tape for development. “We’ll see what happens there. But we’re hoping this is a positive change that will help us add to the development charge funds that we’re able to use to build new projects,” said DeViet.
The Town Hall meeting also touched on the area of transportation. The mayor updated residents on construction of the Glendon Dr. roundabout, saying the current phase includes restoring the Coldstream Rd. connection. Work on the roundabout, which also includes landscaping, is slated to be finished by August.
The mayor touched on other road projects, mentioning plans to install traffic lights at Longwoods and Carriage Rd. as well as a pedestrian crossover at Longwoods Rd. in the eastern part of Delaware.
DeViet also assured residents that concerns over speeding on some roads, notably county roads, are being addressed. And that signs reducing the speed on some roads from 80 kph to 70 kpm are going up in keeping with a move to slow traffic where commercial and residential growth is a factor.
