zorra-now-spring-2025-web

TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT INFORMATION 14 Zorra Now | Spring 2025 Zorra Now | Spring 2025 15 From the East Nissouri History Book In the late 1960’s, the Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister, Darcy McGeough, promoted the concept of government making it clear that municipal boundaries were not unchangeable. He stated that a population of over 150,000 was needed for a municipality to be considered viable. As Oxford County's population did not meet this target, there was fear that its towns and townships would be grabbed by bigger neighbours. As a result, in 1970 a study committee was formed to draft out a revised municipal boundary plan for Oxford County. Representatives from all of the municipalities across Oxford took part as well as the communities of Ingersoll and Woodstock. In what was termed a bottom up process, all municipal functions including roads, planning, building inspector, sewer and water were discussed. On the public side, citizens were asked where they shopped for food, for appliances, for pharmaceuticals, where they went to church, where they went to school, and where they went for recreational purposes. This input created a map of how Oxford residents actually lived, regardless of political boundaries. In 1974 a proposal from the county was ready and used by the Province of Ontario in drafting Bill 95, "An Act to Restructure Oxford County". On January 1st, 1975, Bill 95 came into effect. As a result of the restructuring, East Nissouri ceased to exist as a township. East Nissouri, the Village of Embro, West Zorra, and part of North Oxford formed parts of the new Township of Zorra. An eleven member team formed the new Zorra Council using the ward system of representation. The Police Village of Thamesford was dissolved but its name remained. From the North Oxford History Book By 1970 talks were being held throughout Ontario, as directed by the provincial government, towards amalgamating townships into larger units. The County of Oxford in 1852 consisted of ten townships: East Nissouri, West and East Zorra, Blandford, Blenheim, North, West and East Oxford, Dereham, Norwich, and Woodstock. For some period of time the makeup of the county remained basically the same except for Ingersoll joining and then dropping out, as did Woodstock. Several other changes were made over the years, with some small urban centres growing and gaining municipal status. By the year 1973 the lower tier, eleven rural townships, were joined by five urban municipalities: Tavistock, Norwich Village, Embro, Tillsonburg, and Beachville. Changes in Provincial guidelines permitted the Deputy Reeves to sit on county council along with the Reeve for each municipality. It depended on population of each township whether or not the municipality qualified. North Oxford finally did qualify in 1973 and James Muterer became the first and only Deputy Reeve from North Oxford for the years 1973 and 1974. The following year, 1975, saw the amalgamations come into being. North Oxford disappeared and Zorra Township took its place. With the province wanting the approximately nine hundred municipalities in 1970 reduced to lesser numbers, much discussion took place throughout the county. Some councils were in favour of amalgamation others were not. Eventually the majority ruled, and the county, in 1975, became restructured. It was reduced to: 1. Zorra Township made up of: East Nissouri, West Zorra, Embro, the majority of North Oxford and the village of Thamesford. 2. East Zorra Tavistock made up of: East Zorra Tavistock and the tip of North Oxford. 3. Blandford Blenheim made up of: Blandford and Blenheim. 4. South West Oxford made up of: Derham, West Oxford and Beachville. 5. Norwich composed of: North and South Norwich, East Oxford and the Norwich Village. The five new amalgamated townships were joined in the County of Oxford by Tillsonburg, Ingersoll and Woodstock. This composed the new county government. Since that time some changes have occurred as far as number of councillors in each local government. From the Embro-West Zorra History Book In 1975, the provincial government's restructuring of rural Ontario led to the union of Embro with the townships of West Zorra, East Nissouri and North Oxford to create the Township of Zorra. It wasn't a silky smooth process, in that many of the rural municipalities in Oxford County initially opposed the idea. Eventually, 18 municipalities were reduced to eight. Oxford County Council was reduced from 30 members to 20. Robert C. Matheson, the last reeve of West Zorra became the first mayor of the new Township of Zorra. Robert Blair was councillor-at- large. The other councillors were Wallis Hammond and Harry Lovegrove (Ward 1), Harvey Beaty and Ted Nancekivell (Ward 2), William Foley (Ward 3), David Slater (Ward 4), James Gibb (Ward 5), Barry Wallace (Ward 6) and Lorne Walton (Ward 7). How Zorra Came To Be 2023-2024 Completed Strategic Projects 2025-2026 Ongoing Strategic Projects Maintenance Facility Cost Report Staffing Needs Review Service Group Capital Project Business Plans Total Life Cycle Costs Models Robust Asset Management Plan Community Partner Program: 70/30 Fund Community Group Collaboration Ward Structure/Electoral Map Review Fire Service Response Area Improvements Community Safety and Well- Being Plan Location Planning and Advocacy for New Schools Improve Cell Coverage in Thamesford and Embro Facility Waste Management Practices Review Hearing Assisted Devices at All Meeting Facilities Corporate Investment Policy Staff Training and Regulatory Requirements Review Municipal Centre (ZMC) Cost Report Densification Policies for Thamesford and Embro Harrington Community Engagement Recreation Service Level Study Embro Childcare Facility Planning Active Transportation Route Enhancement Rural Internet Service Improvements In 2023, Council identified the following four strategic priorities for the Township: a sustainable community; a liveable, healthy community; a fiscally sustainable community; and governance & corporate excellence. Listed below are Council’s strategic initiatives, both complete and in progress.