Zorra-Now-Winter2023

2 Zorra Now | Winter 2023 2 Message from the Mayor 4 Township Department Information 10 Zorra Maintenance Facility 20 Township and Community Contacts Message from the Mayor We are now into winter weather and are all happy to have the new Zorra Maintenance Facility (ZMF) to better house and maintain our staff and equipment that are keeping our roads clear and safe every day. The ZMF delivers a suitable work environment that: • allows staff to properly maintain equipment • appropriately houses tens of millions of dollars of equipment • uses solar and geothermal to cost us all less in energy than the natural gas alternative over the life of the building • advances towards our goal of 100% renewable energy • pollutes less The budgeted cost of the project was $10,084,600. The total cost of the completed project was $10,094,917. A cost overrun of $10,317 or 0.1%. But staff found another savings and it is now actually $7840.48, or 0.08% UNDER total budget. This project was financed by obtaining a debenture (loan) through the County of Oxford with Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (OILC) for $8,641,600 with an interest rate of 4.44%, over twenty- five years. The remaining $1,442,903 was contributed from the township's reserves (savings). There are no additional tax implications for the project as it is complete under budget and as financed. Zorra staff did a phenomenal job delivering a large, complex project under budget and advancing our collective goals. Zorra has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the TVDSB to explore future co-build In this issue... 24 Cross-country skiing draws to a close at Windy Hill Farm 28 Township Community Information 30 Oxford 4-H Club 34 Remembrance Day Service opportunities. We now have the opportunity to work together to complete a construction or renovation project, with the goal of meeting the needs of students, their families and the greater community. Zorra will consult with the TVDSB if considering building any new recreation or community spaces, and the TVDSB will consult with Zorra if contemplating any new builds or renovations to area schools (Thamesford P.S., Zorra Highland Park P.S. or AJ Baker P.S.). Whether it’s libraries, recreation spaces, or schools, we need to maximize the community use of the facilities our communities pay for. Where there are institutional barriers to that, it is our job to break them down and ensure effective and efficient use of tax dollars to maximize the services our residents use. Our children don’t care if the municipality or school board owns the soccer field. Their parents paid for it either way. I believe this model has the potential to be transformational for our communities. These are two projects that combined advance all three pillars of our new Strategic Plan: • A Sustainable Community • A Livable, Healthy Community • A Fiscally Sustainable Community Check in on the website, follow the Township on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, phone or email Staff or Council: we want to hear from you. Join us and add to your community by doing your part! As always, feel free to contact me on any issue: Marcus Ryan Mayor, Zorra Township (and Warden, Oxford County) email: mryan@zorra.ca Phone: 1.519.425.2338 Zorra Now Magazine is published electronically and paper copies are available at all Township Facilities. If you have any questions or comments or would like to advertise in the magazine, please contact: Karen Martin, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk Township of Zorra 274620 27th Line, P.O. Box 306 Ingersoll, ON N5C 3K5 Ph. 519-485-2490 ext. 7228 Toll Free 1-888-699-3868 kmartin@zorra.ca www.zorra.ca COMMUNITY EVENTS & SERVICES MAGAZINE