Tillsonburg council briefs

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Concern raised about staff time on sub-committees

A report on the Founder’s Day subcommittee brought forward a concern from one Tillsonburg councillor.

The report, which was from the Museum, Heritage, Culture and Special Awards Committee, recommended that the Founder’s Day sub-committee meet on an “as-needed basis pending staff availability”.

Councillor Bob Parsons -who initially understood that the clerk needed to be present during the meetings which could result in overtime - questioned that.

“Could this not be ad -hoc group that meets time to time and do without presence of clerk,” he questioned.

He was told a member of the clerk’s office must attend, but it may not necessarily be the clerk. The sub-committee is subject to the same terms as the committee, and having a staff member present is one of the terms.

“Is there any way we can restructure the terms of the committee to meet in a way that is more cost effective moving forward,” he said, pointing to the overtime.

Clerk Amelia Jaggard responded due to the timeframe involved, there isn’t time to restructure.

Caution raised about heritage designation

Several members of Tillsonburg council were cautious of a recommendation from the Museum, Heritage, Culture and Special Awards Committee to attach heritage designations to several properties.

The recommendation brought forward in a report to council was to direct staff to assess possible heritage designations for: the pillars in Memorial Park, the Oddfellows Lodge, Tillsonburg Masonic Centre, 186 Bidwell Street, Gibson House and Lake Lisgar.

Deputy Mayor Dave Beres said a heritage designation could impede further development on these properties. Citing Gibson House as an example, he said if there was a desire for future alterations, he asked if it would require a special request to the province.

Clerk Amelia Jaggard explained that would be part of the investigation.

Coun. Bob Parsons said he had the same concern, and mentioned a couple of buildings downtown that shared walls with the adjoining building.

“I would like to know if that would have limitations on abutting properties,” he said, asking if there would be notification to abutting property owners.

Jaggard said if council gives that direction, it would occur. The staff report will outline the legislative process, she said, saying beyond that council will make the determination.

Coun. Pete Luciani asked how a body of water would be designated. Andrea Greenway, director of culture, recreation and parks, said the museum curator would be looking into that aspect.

Council passed a motion to prepare a report to outline the process for heritage designations.

Traffic issues to be investigated

Municipal staff will be looking into two issues brought forward by the town’s traffic advisory committee.

The committee recommended staff investigate the feasibility of a three-way stop at the intersection of Windermere and Allen and look into traffic concerns on Wilson Ave. The latter includes reaching out to the residents’ association and bringing forward suggestions for traffic measures at the intersection of Wilson Ave and Jackson Court.

Cemetery policy

A review of cemetery decoration policies ended up without any changes.

However, Coun. Bob Parsons said this could be an opportunity to educate residents about what is allowed or no allowed to decorate stones in winter or summer. He suggested a picture board somewhere in the cemetery to provide some clarity.

Andrea Greenway, director of culture, recreation and parks, said the committee was looking at something along this line, but through a QR code somewhere in the cemetery.

Pasons retorted that he thought a better solution wouldn’t involve technology as everybody doesn’t have a smart phone.

Kudos on diversion rate

Coun. Bob Parsons gave kudos to Tillsonburg, and Oxford County residents, for their recycling.

Parsons was speaking to a report on the April 14 Tillsonburg council agenda on the annual waste management report. A member of council back in the 1980s before there were Blue Boxes, Parsons remembered discussion of developing a landfill site then as fears were the Oxford County Waste Management Facility (Salford) was nearing end of life. The report forecast the lifespan of the landfill site at 31 years.

“I think it’s important to celebrate that in 2024 the county and its residents diverted 46 per cent waste, 35,000 tonnes of waste through the recycling program,” he said.

He encouraged Tillsonburg residents to continue recycling.

Cranberry Line project increases in cost

Town councillors were presented with a report asking for an increase in costs for the Cranberry

Road reconstruction.

CJDL Consulting Engineers were the successful bidders on the tender for consulting services in 2022. Since that time, it was found additional hydrogeological and soil testing was needed beyond the scope of the original tender. Council approved an additional $44,279 in spending for the

project.

MegaBike fundraiser

Tillsonburg councillors were asked to spread the word about the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) MEGABike coming to town on May 28.

BBSS’s Kristen Ralph spoke to council about the groups’s program in Tillsonburg. There are currently 29 youth on a wait list, looking for a mentor to be paired with.

“Our goal is to raise $40,000 and every dollar will stay in Tillsonburg to support children and youth,” Ralph said.

The event will have teams of 29 people (plus one driver) ride the bike for 20 to 30 minutes through a route. The goal is to raise $40,000.

Ralph was hopeful the event will also raise awareness and attract more mentors. The overall goal is to have 100 young people and have each matched with a mentor.

She spoke of the value of BBSS in building social and mental skills, leading a way to employment.

“Our work reduces long-term reliance on social assistance,” Ralph said. “Hopefully to lower the burden on our community and most importantly empower young people to realize their full potential.”

The request of council members was to help spread word about the event and attend the event.