Tillsonburg Council briefs

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Council reaffirms its support for BIA

Following a closed session discussion with the Downtown Tillsonburg Business Improvement Association board of management, town council reaffirmed its support for the organization.

The discussion took place in closed session under the section of the Ontario Municipal Act that allows this for “personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.”

The motion talks of the BIA board of management being a board of the municipality and that council appoints the board member members and will support the board with a letter of support and transparency to the public on communication platforms stating that:

A. The DTBIA Board of Management is a board of council;

B. That the mandate for the DTBIA Board of Management is promoting business and beautification;

C. That Town of Tillsonburg Council supports and defends the DTBIA Board of Management.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy and Coun. Chris Rosehart declared a pecuniary interest and did not take part in the discussion as they have relatives with property in the BIA zone.

Tillsonburg applies for funding to attract doctors

Tillsonburg council approved an application for a provincial grant to attract more doctors to town.

At its Sept. 8 meeting, council was presented with a report from CAO Kyle Pratt, suggesting an application be made to the Rural Ontario Development Program to fund the Tillsonburg Health Care Recruitment Strategy. It would be a recruitment and marketing initiative to attract doctors to town. The goal is to increase awareness of healthcare opportunities amongst medical professionals, students and recent graduates.

The report stated: “Workforce shortages in Tillsonburg have resulted in longer wait times for appointments and emergency services, reduced availability of preventive care, and increased strain on hospital infrastructure. By attracting skilled professionals to underserved areas, this initiative directly supports Ontario’s rural health priorities, improves health outcomes for aging and vulnerable populations, and reinforces community stability.”

If it went ahead, the program would assist involve:

• Development of promotional materials tailored to healthcare professionals

• Attendance at targeted recruitment fairs across Ontario and beyond

• Launch of a strategic advertising campaign across relevant media channels

• Creation of a dedicated recruitment-focused website showcasing job

opportunities, community resources, and integration supports

The estimated cost of the initiative if $60,000, of which half was applied for in the grant.

Coun. Kelly Spencer said this is a smart strategy.

We’ve been attempting physician recruitment with some, or no response, and I think a new approach seems smart for more positive results,” she said.

The motion passed recommended the project be funded from the Physician Recruitment Reserve, that it wouldn’t impact the 2026 budget, and this be included in the budget. Mayor Deb Gilvesy said she has already indicated to the CAO to include whatever is required for this program in the budget.

Moose Street right of way sold

Council approved the sale of two surplus pieces of property held as a right-of-way for Moose Street. The blocks were sold to adjacent property owners for $15,000 each, with the buyers paying all associated costs.

The real estate valuation for the properties was $64,000 for both, but despite “extended negotiations” the best price offered was $30,000. The proceeds from the sale were assigned to the town hall reserve.

Community improvement grant approved

Council gave the go-ahead to an improvement grant for a local business expanding into the VanNorman Innovation Park.

Wise Line Tools was approved for the Tax Increment Grant Back Program related to improvements to be completed on the property. The program provides a rebate of the town portion of property taxes resulting from improvements to lands and buildings that result in an increase in the assessed value of the property.

Paperless billing contest pays off

A contest to boost enrollment in paperless billing for the town’s utility bills is paying off.

The option of paperless billing became available in 2019, but only 230 residents have signed up. Trying to boost this to cut on mailing costs, a contest was held with those who made the switch eligible to win an iPad.

The contest resulted in 325 new paperless billing enrollments. That will save the town $975 in 2026 alone.

Walter Kleer was the winner of the draw for the iPad, which took place during the council meeting.

New crosswalk crossing sign

A new crosswalk crossing sign will be installed at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Trail and Broadway.

The $12,000 cost of the installation will be funded from the previously-approved public works traffic signals budget.

Coun. Pete Luciani credited resident Darwin Kent for his role in having the pedestrian crossing erected.

“He’s been focused and deliberate on getting this resolved,” he said.

Speed bumps a possibility for Wilson Ave

Speed bumps were mentioned as one possible outcome from a report looking at traffic speeds on Wilson Ave. at Jackson Street.

The report was initiated after residents of Hickory Hills complained about excessive speed on the road. While the report acknowledged the town was working on a traffic calming policy, the consultants found the Wilson/Jackson intersection doesn’t meet the thresholds for any traffic calming due to the area not meeting the minimum thresholds for calming, there have been no accidents at the intersection in the past five years and a number of traffic measures are already on the street.

The initial recommendation was to receive the report for information, but Coun. Kelly Spencer, whose turn it was to read the motion, presented an alternative motion calling for soft speed bumps on the road.

“The concern lies in those who don’t live in Hickory Hills who use Wilson as a pass to get from one side to the other,” she said.

Traffic reports show drivers sometimes reach speeds of 60 to 70 km/h, which she said were “frightening for the community.”

“I don’t want to wait until the senior citizens have a tragedy when there is a simple solution to slow things down,” she said, explaining soft speed bumps can be removed in the winter for snow plows.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy said speed bumps have been discussed in the past and the concern was speed bumps slowing emergency vehicles. She suggested another possibility to slow traffic is narrowing the road and asked Spencer if she was open to allowing other speed reduction measures. Spencer amended her motion to direct staff to amend her report to include soft speed bumps and other traffic calming measures.

The review also looked at the possibility of a three-way stop at the intersection of Allen Street and Windermere Avenue, and found it didn’t meet the volumes for a three-way stop.

Bylaw changed to stop parking on Quarter Town Line

A new bylaw is proposed to prohibit parking on the east side of Quarter Town Line between North Street and the town’s northern limits. In addition, there will be restrictions on parking on the west side of Quarter Town Line in the area of 361 Quarter Town Line if the bylaw is passed.

The report cited safety issues with children coming between cars and said there was overflow parking coming from 361 Quarter Town Line.

Coun. Kelly Spencer asked why there is such an overflow of parking from 361.

Coun. Bob Parsons, who is on the town’s traffic committee, said he looked at the development and there is parking for two vehicles at the residences. He agreed there was a safety issue.