Now that I have left my position as Mayor of Wezembeek-Oppem, I would like to express my deep gratitude to each of you for the trust you have shown in me for 18 years. Together, with the college that I would like to thank, we have carried out projects that have marked our municipality and improved the lives of our fellow citizens.

I would like to salute the collective and participatory work on the new municipal house, which has become a true symbol of our commitment to transparency and proximity to residents. This dynamic place is now an essential meeting point for our community.

We also saw the completion of the new Flemish school, a project that meets a crucial need for our children and their families. This new establishment is a space where our young people can flourish and develop their talents.

The creation of the new library is another source of pride. It offers access to culture and knowledge, and constitutes a gathering place for all ages. I hope it will remain a beacon of inspiration for all our citizens.

I have also not forgotten the development of two new public parks, which bring a breath of greenery and tranquility to our town. These relaxation spaces are essential for everyone’s well-being and strengthen the social bond between our residents.

The beautification of our town has also been a priority. Thanks to your support, we have succeeded in creating a pleasant and welcoming environment for everyone.

In addition to this, the municipality was also able to repay all its loans and reduce the additional cents on personal income tax.

Last but not least, within a few months the construction of the new municipal depot will begin.

Finally, I would like to highlight the many advances in services to the population. Thanks, among other things, to new technologies, we have been able to offer innovative and diversified services, thus improving everyone’s quality of life.

It is thanks to your trust and support that we have been able to achieve all this.

I leave with a heart full of good memories and pride for what we have accomplished together and will continue to work in the interest of all within the Provincial Council.

Thank you everyone!

Frédéric Petit,

Provincial Councilor, Head of politcal faction UF Union francophone

Despite this, the municipality has succeeded in pursuing the objectives of its multi-year plan and at mid-term has made impressive progress. The most remarkable is undoubtedly the construction and commissioning of the new administrative center “City Hall”, the Flemish primary school “De Letterbijter” and the brand new library “BIB”, all on the new site “ATRIUM” which finally offers Wezembeek-Oppem a real communal place.

The installation of noise barriers along the Ring is the most remarkable advance in terms of noise reduction. Together with the AWACSS association, we are working within the consultation platform initiated by the Minister of Mobility to fundamentally reduce noise at source, in particular by forcing airlines to no longer use excessively noisy aircraft which are a harm recognized by justice to public health.

The next two years will be devoted mainly to building a brand new sports center which will accommodate football and hockey enthusiasts as well as a new communal shed. From 2023, the municipality will make the large “Merlijn” room available to host many cultural and festive activities. The new mobility plan will complete the whole by emphasizing weak users and in particular cyclists.

It should be noted that all infrastructure works are totally self-financed by the municipality and therefore have no impact on municipal taxation.Municipal finances are sound and the self-financing margin is higher than the requirements of the supervisory authority.

However, these gratifying prospects will only be able to fully take on the hoped-for measure when the conflict in Ukraine comes to an end.
It is with the firm conviction that common sense will eventually prevail, that I send you my best wishes for happiness and health for the new year.

Frédéric Petit – Mayor

The year 2019 bowed out on a note of optimism with the massive choice of members of the MR to place their trust in a new president: Georges-Louis Bouchez. May he be assured of my support to carry out a proactive and unifying project both for our party and for the country.
Closer to home, in Wezembeek-Oppem, the current majority * strong of 18 elected representatives out of 23 voted unanimously the multiannual plan 2020-2025 paving the way for the realization of an ambitious program of which here are the main axes:

 Development of the center: the construction of a New Administrative Center, a new municipal library, new buildings for the Dutch-speaking municipal school “De Letterbijter” and the development of a new public park must allow the creation of a dynamic center offering modern service and friendly green spaces.

 Energy transition: the program includes the sustainability of private and municipal heritage, ecological investments in municipal buildings – notably through the installation of solar panels – as well as the promotion and subsidization of better insulation of dwellings.

 Social network: the municipality will invest in essential links to strengthen this network, as in the creation of meeting places, preferably in a green setting. It will also make efforts in favor of the family, childcare and the encouragement of voluntary work.

 Traffic viability and living environment: the priority of this legislature will be to draw up a new mobility plan for the municipality. Besides that, the continuation of our legal actions against the nuisances due to the overflight of the planes and the installation of additional noise barriers along the Ring R0 will also contribute to make life in our commune even more pleasant.

 Security: the administration plans to increase the allocation for the Wokra police zone and the “Vlaams-Brabant West” firefighters zone in order to intensify the presence of the police on the street and allow faster intervention by fire departments.

The municipality’s financial situation is healthy thanks to its very low debt. In no area have we been forced to cut budgets compared to previous years. We also decided not to increase municipal taxes during this legislature.

The three main investments planned for this legislature are:

1. The development of the center, with the construction of a New Administrative Center, a new municipal library, new buildings for the Dutch-speaking municipal school “De Letterbijter” and the development of a public park.

2. The construction of a new larger municipal depot flanked by a well-equipped store.

3. The development of a hockey field next to the football field on rue Plaine des Sports, as well as the modernization of the cafeteria and the creation of sufficient parking spaces.

The sewerage development project on rue Baus, rue de la Faucille and rue Profonde also represents a considerable amount, but is largely funded through Riopact.

The multi-year plan formulates 280 actions, of which we pinpoint here some concrete achievements:
 The development of the center.
 Improvement of infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians (streets reserved for cyclists, development of a new bicycle path, in particular on avenue de l’Hippodrome, and all the action points that will result from the mobility plan).
 Improvement of customer orientation (digitalization of services to residents, new website and new graphic charter).
 The gradual replacement of current public lighting with LED lighting.

An ambitious plan, of course, but together with the administration we will not fail to carry it out, always having in mind the well-being of the inhabitants and the good life in Wezembeek-Oppem.

May this year 2020 be the 20/20 year for you according to your dearest wishes!

Frédéric PETIT, Mayor

* LB UNION: MR = 9, cdh = 4, DEFI = 3, ECOLO = 2