Mayor speaks to chamber

Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy addressed the Chamber of Commerce at the annual mayor’s luncheon. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

From reconstructing the Kinsmen Bridge to addressing homelessness, Mayor Deb Gilvesy covered a lot of ground during the mayor’s annual address to the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce.

The annual event was held Thursday, April 17 at the Tillsonburg Soccer Club.

Starting out with a nod to town founder George Tillson, Gilvesy pointed to the record year for building permits, with $147.8 million worth of building taking place. The 10-year average is $65 million per year.

“Last year we just about doubled that,” Gilvesy said.

Of the 2025 total, $69 million was residential, and the remainder commercial and institutional. Gilvesy mentioned the Northgate Plaza bringing “much-needed commercial space”.

Speaking more to residential, there were 246 permits issued last year, which is above the 20-year average. Gilvesy said there are holding provisions in place to ensure there is enough water and sewer capacity. Oxford County’s 10-year master plan will see more sewage capacity added and wells brought on line.

“It’s essential we have infrastructure before houses are built,” she said.

Modhani, Shep’s Bakery, Armtec, Marwood and the new PeopleCare development on Maple Lane were listed as for job creation.

“The demand for long term care in Oxford County is extremely high and Tillsonburg is truly blessed to have this brand-new facility in our community in the near future,” Gilvesy said. “It is an opportunity to keep loved ones closer to home in a state of the art facility.”

Replacement of the Kinsmen Bridge was highlighted as one of the largest infrastructure projects of 2025 at $4.7 million. About 250 to 500 people per day use the pedestrian bridge. Cranberry Road was the other large project of 2025 mentioned at a $5.3 million cost. A combined effort with the County of Oxford, it will see repaving of the roadway, installation of paved walkways and water, sewer and storm sewers.

Gilvesy highlighted the turnaround of the fire communications dispatch department as a success story.

“When I first started on council in 2018, fire comm was on life support and the residents of Tillsonburg were subsidizing other municipalities’ 9-1-1 service to the tune of $200,000,” she said.

Gilvesy gave credit to staff for working hard to seek new contracts, rewriting old contracts and turning the deficit into a projected surplus of more than $320,000 in 2024.

The mayor also mentioned the town providing funding for a one-year partnership with the Oxford Health Team to provide a clinic for people without a primary care provider and initiatives to provide less-than-market rate housing and assist with homelessness. The town’s CIP program allowed the Harvest Ave development to add 15 units at less than market rate, and a development at 31 Earle Street will also provide affordable housing.

Concluding her remarks, Gilvesy said inflation impacts not only the taxpayer – who she acknowledged funds the town’s work – but also the municipality.

“All municipalities are struggling with funding asset management plans and keeping up with rising expenses,” she said. “We are not unique but it is imperative that we continue to ensure that your dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. As we enter into a time of economic uncertainty, I am confident that the town is well represented with a CAO and senior leadership team that have the best interest of the community at heart.”