Notes from the regular Council meeting, which was held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
Correspondence
- Road Safety
Oxford County representatives Frank Gross, manager of transportation and waste management, and Shawn Vanacker, supervisor of transportation, provided the council with a presentation on speed management and road safety.
The presentation included findings and proposed recommendations from several speed management and traffic-calming studies completed in the Township of Blandford-Blenheim.
Vanacker shared that in 2019, Oxford County adopted a countywide traffic-calming approach that included ongoing speed monitoring in communities and settlement areas, collaboration with the OPP, municipal partners and community members, and setting posted speed limits consistent with the driving environment. The approach also focused on prioritizing traffic-calming measures, incorporating speed management and road safety into future road design and rehabilitation, and monitoring the effect of such measures.
“When doing the Speed and Road Safety Reviews, we utilize the Transportation Association of Canada’s [TAC] guidelines to establish posted speeds, which takes into account physical and road-user characteristics, and a number of other criteria that get analyzed,” he said.
During the presentation, Vanacker discussed several recommendations for Oxford Road 29 in Windfall, Oxford Road 2 in Gobles, Oxford Road 8 in Washington and Oxford Road 8 through Plattsville.
Some of the suggestions included reducing posted speed limits, installing speed feedback signs and flexible delineators.
As far as next steps, the recommendations will go through public consultation via notices and Speak Up Oxford, and will later be brought to County Council on February 25, 2026.
After posing several questions and comments about the findings and the proposed recommendations, the presentation was later received as information.
- Enhanced school bus safety and the implementation of stop-arm camera systems
Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council received correspondence from the Grenville 1 OPP Detachment Board. The letter expressed the support for provincial investment in and expansion of the school bus stop-arm camera systems and requested municipal backing.
The letter states that “illegal passing of stopped school buses remains a persistent and dangerous problem in Ontario, occurring an estimated 30,000 times per day. These violations place children at serious risk and continue to result in preventable injuries and fatalities.”
Councillor Tina Young went on to say she had asked that the correspondence be brought forward because it was important to keep children, the community and roads safe.
“Every time I read something about the school bus arms, I always think I have misread the number of incidents that are happening. I usually go digging a little deeper and find that, unfortunately, this is actually what’s happening every day. …I worry when I think that parents are putting their children on buses to arrive at school and at home safely, and people are blatantly disregarding the safety features that are there to keep our kids safe,” she said. “When I read this, it was shortly after I had just seen a video posted in our own township of somebody passing a bus with flashing lights, and so I thought it was important that we do all we can to keep our roads, our kids and our community safe.”
After Councillor Bruce Banbury noted that anything to promote safety for children was worthwhile, Council voted in favour of preparing a letter of municipal support to Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation.
Staff Reports
Protective Services Department monthly report for December
The report, prepared by Drew Davidson, Director of Protective Services, provided the following update in regards to the activities of the Protective Services Department.
- Emergency response and operations:
Blandford-Blenheim stations experienced an increase of emergency responses related to hazardous driving conditions on local highways, resulting in multiple motor vehicle collisions.
Davidson said that the department also responded to two structure fires which required a significant amount of personnel and resources.
“In true fashion, firefighters stepped up to every call, often going above and beyond during evenings, weekends, and throughout the holiday period to ensure the safety of residents and the travelling public,” read the report.
It was also noted that the department helped with several calls in East Zorra-Tavistock, North Dumfries and Wilmot.
- Winter weather monitoring and public safety
Staff spent the month of December closely monitoring weather updates from Environment Canada. Updates about several snowstorms were reviewed and shared internally to ensure operational readiness, and the crew remained focused on maintaining safety for both residents and motorists.
- Community engagement and public events
Davidson said that despite the increase in emergency responses, firefighters were able to engage with residents by hosting and participating in community events leading up to the holiday season. By supporting local traditions and collecting donations for the local food bank, the fire department was able to strengthen relationships and support those in need.
“Santa was a bit busy in Blandford-Blenheim in the month of December, and the firefighters were able to have a great time with the community,” he said.
- Administration, planning and leadership
During the year-end Chiefs’ meeting in December, staff discussed planning for 2026 which included ongoing firefighter development, training priorities, and emerging challenges.
- Other
Davidson said the department’s recently upgraded state-of-the-art digital LED signs helped win $500 from Ontario’s Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council to purchase fire prevention equipment.
By sharing and promoting crucial safety tips during the 12 Days of Holiday Fire & CO Safety campaign on the signs, the department was one of ten departments to earn the funding.
“They took ten out of the whole province, and we received $500 towards fire prevention equipment for the Township because of the messaging that was on our signs,” he said.
Public Works Department monthly report for January
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: While drain infrastructure and base asphalt have been completed, the rest of the project was unable to be finished by the end of 2025 as planned. Once spring arrives, Cassidy Construction will return to the area to complete the missing sidewalk pieces, driveways, topsoil and sod.
- Bridge 24: Township engineers are working on compiling the last of the Environmental Assessment (EA) reports so they can be filed with the Ministry of Environment. Borton said the tender will be completed and posted for bidding early this year with construction starting in July.
- Bridge 23: The tender for the deck rehabilitation is ready to go online once the 2026 budget has been approved.
- Infrastructure maintenance:
- Public Works staff have put in many hours dealing with winter weather. Once the demand for plowing the roads settles, the department will work on snow removal in the villages.
As part of his update, Borton reminded everyone that staff are doing their best to keep the roads clear.
“These guys are out in the worst of the worst weather, trying to get the roads clear so that when you wake up, you can get to work and you can get out on the road,” he said. “There’s no need for them to be yelled at or put down. We’re doing our job so that you can get to yours.”
- Working to approve road permits that would allow Xplorenet to use the Township right of way to run fibreoptic cable in the Township.
- Working with MESH, the Public Works service coordinator, Community Services and the Drainage Superintendent to create an on-line check list for equipment inspections and patrols.
- Meeting with land owners at outdoor sites to discuss ditch or road issues.
Community Services monthly report for January
The report, prepared by Trevor Baer, Manager of Community Services, provided the following update in regards to the activities of the Community Services Department.
Baer shared with Council that despite some weather-related cancellations, the Plattsville Arena has continued to operate smoothly.
The director went on to say that staff have already begun talking to some baseball groups about the 2026 season tournaments and are coordinating ball diamond usage.
“At this time, the Township is planning to host approximately ten tournaments during the 2026 season,” read the report. “Regular use groups have confirmed their return, and early coordination is assisting staff in balancing tournament play with league usage to maximize facility availability.
Baer also told Council that staff reviewed and amended its EV charging station agreement in July 2025 to reflect Township requirements, however the company has not yet confirmed the revised agreement.
Planning Department
Development planner Drew Robson presented a request for extension of the draft approved plan of subdivision.
The request revolves around a subdivision located on the east end of Elgin Street East in the Village of Princeton. The subject draft was approved in March 2023 and included six residential lots for single detached dwellings, as well as an internal road.
Robson explained that the date for the subject draft plan of subdivision is set to lapse on March 22, 2026, and the owner is looking for a two year extension to provide additional time from them to clear the required conditions of approval.
“According to the letter provided by the agent on the file, the clearance of the conditions of draft plan approval were delayed given the work that has been carried out on the Princeton stormwater management system adjacent to the subject lands,” read Robson’s report. “The agent advises that the drainage work that has been carried out adjacent to the subject lands now allows for a legal storm outlet. It is now expected that the detailed engineering design work for the draft plan of subdivision will be complete in early 2026.”
The planner explained that given that no concerns were raised from other departments and that the applicant is working towards final approval, staff were recommending Council support the extension.
“In our opinion, given that there were no concerns, and given that the applicant appears to be working towards clearing conditions, staff are here today to recommend that the two year extension be be supported by township Council, and if it is supported, we would take that that resolution to Oxford county advising of the support and the extension of the draft approval,” said Robson.
The request was later approved on the Township level.
Plattsville Drinking Water
Council requested that Oxford County explore potential measures to address water hardness in Plattsville.
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.
