Notes from the regular Council meeting, which was held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
EarlyON programming agreement
Council discussed entering into a potential partnership with the Drumbo Agricultural Society to support EarlyON programming out of the Drumbo Hall during the regular meeting on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Councillors originally asked for more information about the associated costs, snow removal requirements and timing, as well as related insurance considerations.
During the June 4 meeting, staff came back to Council with various updates and options in regards to the newly collected information.
The Agricultural Society proposed that it would allow EarlyON programming to use the Hall once per week for 48 weeks per year, at a rate of $225 per day; with a season deposit of $225, the total annual cost would be around $11,025.
As far as the terms of agreement, the Society asked that the municipality provide both grass cutting and snow removal services, as well as $1,000 financial contribution.
Trevor Baer, the Director of Community Services, said that while the Township can absolutely provide in-house grass cutting services, as well as the $1,000 contribution, the snow removal is a different story.
“From an in-house point-of-view, we can’t maintain the snow at the level that they need… and for the time they’d like it done,” he said.
According to Baer’s report, this is due to the “Township’s current winter maintenance obligations, limited equipment, and staffing levels, staff cannot commit to consistently meeting these timelines.”
“I think the program is definitely well worth running if we could do it,” said Mayor Mark Peterson.
Councillor Bruce Banbury suggested going ahead with a one-year pilot program, and both staff and Council were in agreement.
Members ultimately instructed the staff to return to the Agricultural Society with its proposal to provide the in-house grass cutting services and a $1,000 cash contribution, but to forgo the snow removal.
Staff Reports
Community Services Department for the month of May 2025.
Baer’s report said that staff have begun annual maintenance work to prepare the Plattsville Arena for future use. Such work includes painting the interior, addressing minor concerns with the ice pad surface, completing board repairs, and performing routine maintenance on area equipment. With that in mind, the facility remains active during the summer months with lacrosse games and practices.
As well, local parks and ball diamonds have also been busy. The Township hosted two baseball tournaments in May and all regular groups have started their league play.
Baer said that with tournaments set to take place each weekend in both the Drumbo and Princeton, June is set to be the busiest month of the year for the parks.
“There’ll be music in the park starting June 19 at the Plattsville Park, and there’ll be music in the park starting June 19 in the Princeton Park,” added Baer.
Public Works Department for the month of May 2025.
Josh Brick, the Township’s CAO, presented Jim Borton’s report as the Director of Public Works was away for an event.
Borton’s report included updates on the Princeton pond expansion project. The ponds are completed and Ducks Unlimited have been doing some planting and they are currently completing the walking path around the pond.
Construction for Princeton phase 4 (South section) has gone slower than expected due to some issues with both water and hydro lines. Work is currently underway at Main Street.
The archaeological dig for the Bridge 24 Environmental Assessment was originally scheduled for May but was pushed to early June. As well, the Bridge 38 deck repair on Township Road 5 has been underway and is also expected to be done early in June.
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.
