SWOX council enters into agreement for park development in Mount Elgin

Debbie Kasman, Tillsonburg Post Correspondent

At its regular council meeting on Nov. 5, South West Oxford Township (SWOX) council entered into an agreement with a local developer to exchange 2.9 acres of parkland adjacent to the Mount Elgin Community Centre for an equal amount of land along the south-west side of Mount Elgin Road to facilitate the development of a new, larger park on the southwest side of Mount Elgin.

This 2.9 acres, plus the purchase of the former Elgin Hall property, and approximately three-quarters of another acre of land for additional parking, will bring the new park’s total area to approximately 3.6 acres.

The former parkland at the Mount Elgin Community Centre will be developed for residential housing. In the interim, the township will lease back the exchanged land at the Mount Elgin Community Centre for five years to continue using the existing ball diamond and tennis court while planning the new park’s development.

Street Naming

Council voted to change the name of Highland Avenue to Cooper Drive to honour the Cooper family’s farming contribution to the area. The street will be part of phase 6 development of the new subdivision.

Council appoints Aird & Berlis LLP as its closed meeting investigator and new Integrity Commissioner

At the end of October, council appointed Aird & Berlis LLP as its closed meeting investigator and new integrity commissioner. The Municipal Act provides for the appointment of an integrity commissioner to oversee matters related to ethical conduct of members of council. The act also allows for the appointment of an individual or organization to investigate complaints regarding closed meetings.