Notes from the regular Council meeting, which was held on Wednesday, July 7, 2026.
- Portable vehicle weighing scales for half-load road enforcement
Council supported a request from Oxford OPP Board 2 to contribute approximately $2,000 toward the purchase of portable vehicle weighing scales. The equipment will assist OPP enforcement related to overweight vehicles on half-load roads.
Five other municipalities in the area are also expected to contribute the same amount, noting that the Township of Norwich and Township of East Zora-Tavistock have already endorsed the same resolution.
- Drumbo Agricultural Society request
The Drumbo Agricultural Society requested that the building permit fees for the tent at their annual fall fair be waived for the next five years, rather than just one.
The tent is used for school fair exhibits, crop and plants exhibits, as well as crafter displays.
Councillor Nancy Demarest asked if they typically waive the fee, and CAO Josh Brick confirmed that they typically endorse the request every year for a single year.
“The unique part of the request is that it’s for a five-year term,” he said. “…I think staff recognizes that it’s efficient for them to make this request.”
The cost, including admin and permit fees is currently $470, but increases incrementally.
Demarest later said that because Council has a multi-year history of waiving the fee, it would make sense to approve it for the requested five years.
Council then approved the Drumbo Agricultural Society’s request.
- Plattsville Church request for community partnership
Plattsville Church has been running a day camp for children in the community since 2018.
In recent years they have taken campers on “Fun Friday” to enjoy the Plattsville splash pad and park facilities, and as part of their continued commitment to local programming, have asked Council to use the Plattsville Arena for group games or recreational activities during their visit.
As a community-based program that has served local families for a number of years, we would be grateful if the Township would consider whether this use might fit within its community partnership objectives and whether the arena space could be made available without rental fees for the times on the following Fridays; July 17 from noon to 4 p.m., July 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 31 from noon to 4 p.m., and August 7 from noon to 4 p.m,” Libby Peters wrote in a letter to Council. “We understand that facility policies and scheduling requirements must be considered and appreciate any guidance the Township can provide in this regard.”
Given that the Township recently put out a Request for Information for programming for the village of Plattsville, Township Clerk Sarah Matheson said this could be an opportunity to see how camp programming would work within the arena facility.
Councillor Tina Young said, “I think we’ve talked a lot about our facilities being there and not overly used as much in the summer, so, I think this is a great use for that,” she said. “It would also be good to see if it’s maybe a feasible space for future camps. I’m in agreement to approve it.”
Councillor Bruce Banbury said he agreed with Young and the item was then approved.
- Building Stronger Communities Grant Program
Council directed staff to prepare and submit an application to the Ontario Building Strong Communities Grant program for eligible capital improvements at the Plattsville Memorial Community Arena.
Within the application, staff will include accessibility improvements involving upgrades to several arena entrance doors.
Should funding be approved, staff will review all eligible projects and prioritize those that provide the greatest value, ensuring they can be completed within the required two-year implementation period.
- Accessibility Washroom Improvement Project
Trevor Baer, Manager of Community Services, told Council that construction has begun at Drumbo, Princeton and Plattsville Parks.
The project includes:
- Construction of accessible concrete pathways leading to each washroom facility.
- Installation of new accessible entrance doors equipped with automatic push-button operators.
- Upgrades to washroom vanities and interior fixtures to improve accessibility for all users.
“Construction is progressing well, and staff will continue to monitor the project to ensure work remains on schedule,” said Baer.
- Playground Projects
Baer informed Council that the Drumbo Accessible Playground Project is now underway and will be closed for approximately three and half weeks.
The Princeton Accessible Playground Project has also been completed, and the park is now open to the public.
- Disposition of Municipal Lands
CAO Brick informed Council that the Township has accepted an offer on the sale of the former Princeton Fire Station #81.
“We haven’t been able to make that offer public yet, but we are nearing the closing date toward the end of July,” he said. “It’s prudent to bring this report just to confirm that provisions in the surplus lands by-law have been appropriately satisfied in terms of public notice and just general process. One final item that I’ll mention is, once the sale has closed in late July of 2026, we’ll be able to disclose that final sale price publicly, and we’ll provide that within a follow-up report.”
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.
