Zorra-Now-Fall 2025-WEB

TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION 16 Zorra Now | Fall 2025 Zorra Now | Fall 2025 17 Questions? SEVERANCES & CONSOLIDATIONS Zorra Township’s Role 01. The process of severing and consolidating properties in Ontario is governed by a legislative and policy framework that involves the Planning Act , the Land Registry Office of Ontario, the Assessment Act , and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC); all of which happens before it reaches the Zorra Township Municipal Office. MPAC Assessment 02. MPAC will then send a Severance and Consolidation Information Form (SCIF) to the municipality. A SCIF combines assessments for consolidations and apportions assessments for severances. A SCIF will also provide any new roll numbers. MPAC will also send a property assessment notice to the property owners. 03. Property Value At the time of severance (or consolidation), MPAC can only apply an apportioned (or amalgamated) value based on the value from the assessment roll, which may not accurately reflect the true assessment value of the parcels. The current value assessment of the newly created properties will be reflected on the next year’s assessment roll. For question about severances or consolidations, speak to your lawyer. If you have questions, please refer to our website at zorra.ca for contact information. 05. Billing The Municipality will bill using the roll and current value assessment included in the assessment roll provided by MPAC. 04. This information is not intended to provide legal or tax advice. When you drive through Kintore you will often see Nancy riding her bike and picking up trash along the sides of the road. She does this every day, rain or shine. She has been doing this for many years. She takes the trash home and sorts it, putting anything recyclable in its proper place. Thank you Nancy for making Zorra a more beautiful place to live! Senior of the Year 2025 Nancy Smibert In 2021 a group of Brown's Corners residents decided that their community needed a place to meet on a regular schedule, in order to combat the mental and emotional toll of the pandemic lockdowns. Of particular concern were retired and semi-retired men, who lacked the support systems of employment and co-workers. The solution was Coffee Talk, a gathering every Wednesday morning to drink some coffee, eat some snacks and talk about current and past events in their lives. What started with 8 people has grown to up to 40 every week. This success led to a monthly speaker's series, also held at the former Brown's School, called Wisdom Wednesday. Topics have included health (arthritis, melanoma, mental), dragon boat racing and the local history of the Amish. Co-ed crowds of 50 people or more attend and enjoy a social time after the presentations. The group also holds other events, such as crokinole, square dancing and games for young people, plus an annual car show and tractor show. Funding is by donation only. Not only is an historic building being used on a regular basis, this group is providing a much needed service that has rejuvenated this rural community! While the group is a loosely organized, grass roots organization, these four people are the key cogs in the machine. Lenora and Jim Conn provide the coffee, refreshments and snacks for both Coffee Talk and Wisdom Wednesdays. John Uren organizes and is the MC for Wisdom Wednesdays. Lynne Dietrich prepares a weekly newsletter, which not only reviews past and future activities at Brown's, but also includes notices for other events in the area. It has become the "newspaper" for the northern part of Zorra Township. Volunteer of the Year 2025 Brown’s Corners Community Group Pictured with Mayor Ryan are Jim Conn, Lynne Dietrich, and John Uren.