Council delays $3-million Petersburg water upgrade to 2026 to allow for public input

By Amanda Modaragamage

At the Nov. 24 council meeting, the proposed upgrade to the Petersburg water system – estimated at more than $3 million – was discussed, but the decision was deferred to January 2026 to allow time for public input.

The proposal includes road upgrades as part of the watermain project to improve storm conveyance and extend road life.

Council was asked to approve the following budget allocations:

• $1,136,530 from the Annual Roads Resurfacing Program over two years

• $1,447,310 from the tax levy for storm sewer, curbs, gutters and sidewalks over two years

• $2,463,260 through a Local Improvement Act levy on affected properties

Coun. Kris Wilkinson raised concerns about expanding the service area and its impact on residents.

“Out of fairness to the residents who want to weigh in and want to be a part of this, given that it directly affects them in a massive way, we’re looking to move a motion to defer this decision and refer it to the committee of the whole on Jan. 5,” Wilkinson said.

“If we could move that to Jan. 5 in order to give the residential neighbourhood an opportunity to weigh in, have some conversations with their councillor and then potentially also put together a list of questions that we can refer over to the various departments for answers, that would be much appreciated,” he continued.

Wilmot staff are currently assessing and completing the design of the Petersburg Watermain Replacement Project, as required under a provincial order directing the municipality to assume responsibility for the system.

Staff have investigated opportunities to expand the scope of the reconstruction to include the urbanization of Redford Drive, Alice Crescent and Deerfield Avenue to address pavement degradation and provide overall efficiencies that could reduce the financial impact on local residents.

Staff also recommended that building and plumbing permit fees be covered by the township throughout the project to encourage the replacement of existing service connections that may be poorly located or made of substandard material.

Wilkinson’s recommendation to defer the decision to Jan. 5 was seconded by Coun. Stewart Cressman and passed unanimously.