Zorra-Now-Fall 2024-web

2 Zorra Now | Fall 2024 Zorra Now | Fall 2024 3 2 Message from the Mayor 4 Township Department Information 9 Long Time CAO Retires Message from the Mayor Summer recreation is changing to fall and arenas are getting ready. Long time Mayor (and former school teacher) Margaret Lupton said the first Council meeting in September always felt like the beginning of a new year. With that new year, your Council will continue to work on our commitments in the Strategic Plan to “A vibrant, prosperous, engaged and environmentally conscious community”. This fall we will begin a review of progress on that plan, and then begin the 2025 budget process. I’m also expecting that Council will accelerate its work on revitalizing our village cores and reducing sprawl with some reports coming back from staff on how we can provide more homes and affordability and protect agricultural lands and green spaces. Recreation staff have been busy delivering for you! Several new recreation features have been added including the Wildcat Trail in Thamesford, the new Embro Pavilion, and the disc golf course in Thamesford. Hopefully in 2025 we can add the multi-use courts project to that list! In this issue... 20 A New Home for the North Oxford Cenotaph 22 Township Contacts 23 Community Contacts 24 Township Community Information School is back and harvest is on, so please watch for school buses and tractors. These are our neighbours learning and feeding us! 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 & Protective Services Township of Zorra 163 Brock Street, PO Box 189 Thamesford, ON N0M 2M0 Ph. 519-485-2490 ext. 7228 Toll Free 1-888-699-3868 kmartin@zorra.ca www.zorra.ca COMMUNITY EVENTS & SERVICES MAGAZINE H ansford T ree R emoval Service complete Trimming • Chipping Stump Removal • Firewood RR#2, Ingersoll, Ontario N5C 3J5 P: 519-485-6481 C: 519-852-4099 RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM Agricultural plastics Local farmers can dispose of agricultural plastics like bale wrap, fertilizer bags, and bunker covers at the Waste Management Facility for only $50/tonne. Learn more about the agricultural plastics pilot program at www.wasteline.ca . 2025 BUDGET 2024-11-06 Council Meeting 9:30 a.m. 2025 Preliminary budget highlights and ten-year capital plan 2024-11-20 Council Meeting 4:00 p.m.* *Special start time Departmental presentations 2024-11-27* *Special day Special Meeting 6:00 p.m. Consideration of budget 2024-12-04 Council Meeting 9:30 a.m. Consideration of overall 2025 budget and levy requirements discussion 2024-12-18 Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. Adoption of operating and capital budget and budget adoption By-law