By Cecilia Nasmith
Good news from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund means an increase in priority roadwork that the Town of Cobourg can tackle in 2022.
Council heard the glad tidings at this week's meeting from a staff report by Treasurer Ian Davey. The news had just come from the province, Davey said, of a new infusion of OCIF funding.
Prior to that, there was a balance of $730,000 carried over from 2021 – and unspent funds under given circumstances can be accumulated for a specified time to address larger infrastructure projects.
“That's really what we used in preparation of the draft 2022 capital budget,” Davey said.
He has since learned of another $1,395,417 to come from the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure.
With this additional funding, and in consultation with Director of Public Works Laurie Wills, four key projects were identified – to be carried out without adding to the town's debenture.
The projects planned will account for $1,272,620 – the Burke Street-Blake Street-Victoria Street reconstruction, the Albert Street widening, work on Kerr Street from Wilkins Gate to New Amherst Boulevard, and the Monks Cove retaining wall.
