Notes from the regular Council meeting, which was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Correspondence
Tax Class Advocacy
Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council received correspondence from the Township of Zorra, which was pulled by Councillor Nancy Demarest to be added to the agenda.
As noted in the correspondence, the Township of Zorra was looking for support in asking Oxford County Council to consider the inclusion of the Small-Scale Value-Added Business subclass in the 2026 tax ratios policy to support on-farm processing, agricultural diversification, and rural economic development across Oxford County.
Originally moved by Zorra Ward 2 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Katie Grigg, the motion states that the Ontario government has created new property tax classes that allow municipalities to tax the first $50,000 of assessed value of qualifying value-added and commercial activities on farms at a rate 75 per cent lower than the usual commercial or industrial tax rate.
“Whereas this is intended to support a level playing field with larger processors and off-farm businesses, this treatment is limited to on-farm processing and commercial facilities that are assessed below $1 million; and,
Whereas this is a part of Ontario’s plan to encourage job growth in the agriculture sector and support rural economies; and,
Whereas Oxford County, especially in a world of tariffs, automotive shutdowns, and general economic uncertainly, more than ever needs to encourage agriculture sector diversification and support our rural economy;
Now therefore let it be resolved that Zorra Township Council requests that Oxford County Council direct staff to consider the inclusion of the Small-Scale Value-Added Business subclass in the 2026 tax ratios policy and that this be circulated to the area municipalities in Oxford County and ROEDC.”
Speaking to the correspondence, Demarest said she felt the request was important to support.
“This is a classification that was introduced by the province, and it’ll allow us [to give] small scale, value-added businesses a little bit of a property tax break with a new tax ratio,” she said. “It’s just trying to encourage a little bit more on-farm diversification and give opportunities to ag-businesses in Oxford County. I just thought it was really important to support the introduction, and hopefully Oxford County will agree.”
The Council then unanimously voted to support the Township of Zorra in its request.
Staff Reports
Public Works Department monthly report for February
The report, prepared by Jim Borton, Director of Public Works, provided the following update in regards to the activities of the Public Works Department.
Capital Infrastructure:
- Princeton phase 4: Borton said that the phase was not completed in 2025 as expected, but that the drain infrastructure and base asphalt are completed.
He said that Cassidy construction will be returning in the spring once the weather breaks to complete the missing sidewalk pieces, driveways, topsoil and sod. Once the weather is more ideal, the Township, KSmart and the contractor will complete an inspection to identify any issues that need to be fixed before the contractor is finished.
- Princeton phase 5: The final phase includes the raising of manholes, completing the curb work, top lift of asphalt and the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk on Main Street at Elgin Street. Borton noted that the tender document is being prepared and will go out this month.
- Bridge 24: Borton explained that the Township’s engineers are collecting the last of the Environmental Assessment (EA) reports so that the EA study can be filed with the Ministry of the Environment. Once that’s done, the tender will be completed and posted for bidding early this year, and construction will be scheduled to start in July.
Load Restriction Season:
Borton told Council that he and the Shared Services Committee met with OPP Inspector Tony Hymers to discuss the upcoming Load Restriction season.
[The OPP has a brand new officer that is trained on it [load restriction],” he said. We’ve sent them our mapping and our hot spots to look at.”
Borton also noted that there were discussions on the winter weather and what was working well or needed to be worked on as far as OPP calls to municipal members for road conditions, closed roads and general interactions with the officers.
Infrastructure Maintenance:
Borton told Council that because of a break in the weather during the month of February, he and his department were able to do maintenance on some of their machines, and were able to get snow moved.
He also reminded them that with warmer weather comes potholes.
“We’ve been working with Kevin [Brandt, Deputy Clerk / Communications Coordinator at the Township] to get some posts out there, to allow residents to know what we’re doing, and that yes, we’re aware of it,” said Borton.
Councillor Tina Young then asked who residents should contact in regards to their concerns, and Borton recommended that they contact the Township office.
Community Services
The report, prepared by Trevor Baer, Manager of Community Services, provided the following update in regards to the activities of the Community Services Department.
- Operations and Seasonal Transition:
Baer told Council that staff met with the Drumbo Beautification Committee to review potential locations for new benches within the Village.
Mayor Mark Peterson said he’s heard the five of the six benches planned for have already been sold.
Baer also said that staff have met with the Plattsville 175 Committee to assist with planning for the June 20th celebration.
Some of their discussions included park layout, facility coordination, logistics, and general event planning support.
- EASE Grant Approval – Park Washroom Accessibility Upgrades:
In August 2025 the Township applied for the province’s Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant, which provides up to $60,000 to municipalities, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities for projects that improve accessibility infrastructure.
Eligible projects include: accessible washrooms, ramps, entryways, signage, and barrier removal in community spaces. The Township’s application focused specifically on upgrading aging park washroom facilities in Plattsville, Drumbo, and Princeton to improve accessibility compliance and enhance overall usability for residents and visitors.
Baer said the Township’s application has since been approved for $57,935.15 in funding.
“We asked for $60,000 and we got $57,000 for this project. We’re going to move forward with it, just letting Council know,” he said. “We applied for this back in August, got notified early January that we got the funding, and now we’re told that we can pass it. We’re going to start working on the tender process for this project, and hopefully we’ll have everything done by September.”
Baer also explained that prior to the application, the Township received quotes to complete all of the projects they’re looking to do, and that it was estimated that the work would come in around $68,000.
“We do have $14,000 from 2025 [budget] to partner with this project, which is about $70,000,” he said. “The quotes came in around $68,000, so I’m hoping that we can do everything.”
Council then unanimously authorized staff to proceed with project implementation in accordance with the grant guidelines, the Township Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, and applicable provincial legislation including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and approved budget.
- LiveBarn Streaming System at Plattsville Arena
Plattsville Minor Hockey previously approached Township staff to discuss introducing LiveBarn streaming services within the arena to support their players, families, and coaching staff by allowing remote viewing of games and practices.
“Plattsville Minor Hockey has advised Township staff of their intent to move forward with LiveBarn installation at the Plattsville Memorial Community Arena. The Township’s role will be to act as the host venue for the equipment and service, while Plattsville Minor Hockey will be the organization entering into the service agreement with LiveBarn,” stated Baer’s report. “The LiveBarn platform provides automated live and on-demand video streaming of ice activities, allowing parents and families to watch games and practices remotely and giving coaches and teams an opportunity to review gameplay for skill development purposes.”
It’s important to note that while the Township will host the equipment within the facility, it will not own, control, store, or have access to any recorded footage. All streamed minor hockey content will remain the property and responsibility of LiveBarn.
Mayor Peterson later said he thought the addition would be fantastic.
“I think of all the times I worked afternoons and missed my kids’ games because I had to work,” he said. “I might have been able to watch some of them while I was at work; I’m pretty sure I would have figured out a way to do that, but I think it’s an absolutely great thing to have.”
It was also noted that the installation and hosting of LiveBarn will not cost the municipality or Plattsville Minor Hockey any money, but that those who wish to view the streaming services will have to pay a subscription fee.|
Council then unanimously approved of the Township acting as the host venue and authorized staff to review the agreement for operational terms and cancellation provisions prior to installation proceeding at the facility, and update rental agreements accordingly.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
