What's New

For those people not on the monthly Pre-authorized Payment Plan for property taxes, your 2012 Interim Tax bill was mailed January 24, 2012.  Instalment due dates are February 29th and May 31st.  Please refer to the flyer included with the bill for payment information.

If your taxes are paid by your mortgage company, your receipted tax bill will be mailed to you once the taxes have been paid.

Failure to receive a tax notice does not prevent penalty charges for late payment.

If you have not received a bill, or you have questions about your taxes, please contact Tax Collector Brenda Junker at 519-462-2697 or email bjunker@ezt.ca

The Hickson Municipal Office will close on Friday, December 23rd 2011 at 4:30 p.m. and re-open Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. This includes General Administration, Building Department, Roads Administration and Fire Administration. Emergency Services and Road Maintenance operations are not affected by this closure.

The Hickson Municipal Office will close on Friday, December 23rd 2011 at 4:30 p.m. and re-open Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. This includes General Administration, Building Department, Roads Administration and Fire Administration. Emergency Services and Road Maintenance operations are not affected by this closure.

Thursday September 29th, 2011
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Oxford Centre Hall
505386 Old Stage Road

Background:

Guest Speaker:
Wayne Caldwell

Hosted By the BR+E Leadership Team, including Representatives from:

Volunteer Opportunities:

For More Information Contact:

The Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence program is accepting applications now until November 14, 2011. The program recognizes innovators who contribute to the success of Ontario's agri-food sector.

Eligible applicants could receive:

• a Premier's Award of $75,000
• a Minister's Award of $50,000
• new this year, one of three Leaders in Innovation Awards, of $25,000 each; or,
• one of 45 provincial awards of $5,000 each

Program applications will be reviewed by two independent panels made up of representatives from across Ontario's agri-food industry.

Submit your application postmarked by 5 p.m. on
Monday, November 14, 2011 to:

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
1 Stone Road West, 3rd Floor SW
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
Attn: Premier's Award

On-line at: www.ontario.ca/agrifoodinnovation
E-mail: premiersagrifoodinnovationaward@ontario.ca
Fax: 519-826-3442

For more information, contact the
Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.

• Application Information

Notice:  The May 4th Council meeting will start at 9:00 a.m., one hour earlier than usual.

This appointment is made by the Provincial Government.  Please see the Public Appointments Secretariat website for more information on how to apply.

http://www.pas.gov.on.ca/scripts/en/AdvPosDetails.asp?num=13

The Yard Waste Depot will be closed due to improvements being done to the yard area at the Hickson Road Shop.  Temporarily, residents may use the depots located in Tavistock and Innerkip.

2010 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION

The Clean Water Program (CWP) is a rural water quality initiative that provides technical assistance and financial incentives to improve and protect water quality on your farm. 

The Council of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock is accepting applications from community and business minded volunteers to serve on the Tavistock & District Recreational Facilities Board. One position, for a three year term commencing June 1, 2010 is currently available.

The Board's mandate is to provide high quality recreation facilities for the community. The Board is responsible for establishing policy, procedures and budgets for operation of the Arena, Memorial Hall and Queens Park. Members of the Board are not permitted to hold an executive position with a facility user group.

If interested, please submit an application by 12:00 noon on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Terms of Reference and Application Forms are available from this website, the Township Office in Hickson or the Tavistock & District Recreation Centre Office. Applications must be submitted to the Township Office, Hickson on the Application Form or by way of a letter that includes all of the information requested on the application form.

The Council of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock is accepting applications from community and business minded volunteers to serve on the Tavistock & District Recreational Facilities Board. One position, for a three year term commencing June 1, 2010 is currently available.

The Board's mandate is to provide high quality recreation facilities for the community. The Board is responsible for establishing policy, procedures and budgets for operation of the Arena, Memorial Hall and Queens Park. Members of the Board are not permitted to hold an executive position with a facility user group.

If interested, please submit an application by 12:00 noon on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Terms of Reference and Application Forms are available from this website, the Township Office in Hickson or the Tavistock & District Recreation Centre Office. Applications must be submitted to the Township Office, Hickson on the Application Form or by way of a letter that includes all of the information requested on the application form.

The Hickson Municipal Office will close on Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. and re-open Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. This includes General Administration, Building Department, Roads Administration and Fire Administration. Emergency Services and Road Maintenance operations are not affected by this closure.

With the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care today announcing the release of the H1N1 flu virus vaccine, Oxford County Public Health is also announcing its first round of H1N1 flu shot clinics for high-priority groups.

Although high-priority groups are receiving the vaccine first, H1N1 flu shot clinics will be held throughout November for everyone who wants to receive the vaccine. We are asking people to watch for updates on clinic times and locations by visiting our website at www.oxfordcounty.ca/h1n1 and to also check their local newspaper or radio station. People can also call Public Health at 519.539.9800 or 1.800.755.0394 if they have questions.

Starting at approximately 9 a.m. on Tuesday October 20, 2009 there will be a mock emergency exercise being conducted in the village of Tavistock.   The west end of the village will have some road closures and there will be a roadblock set up at the west boundary of Perth-Oxford Rd 24.   Roads should be open by approximately 11:30 a.m.

Fire, police and EMS will be participating in this exercise, along with municpal staff.   Regular emergency services will not be interrruped .

In accordance with the Municipal Act, Section 295(1), the 2008 Audited Financial Statements for the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock are available.

Any taxpayer or resident of the Township may request a copy of the statements, at no cost. The statements are available for review at the Hickson Municipal Office and on the Township Website from this link.

Information on the Financial Statements can be obtained from:

Jeff Carswell, AMCT
Chief Administrative Officer
Township of East Zorra-Tavistock
90 Loveys Street
Hickson ON N0J 1L0

Phone: 519-462-2697
Fax: 519-462-2961
Email:  jcarswell@twp.ezt.on.ca

NOTICE OF THE PASSING OF A DEVELOPMENT CHARGE BY-LAW
BY THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EAST ZORRA-TAVISTOCK

TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock passed By-law #2009-
27, on the 2nd day of July, 2009 under Section 12 of the Development Charges Act, 1997;

AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or organization may appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board
under Section 14 of the Act, in respect of the development charge by-law, by filing with the Clerk
of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock on or before the 11th day of August, 2009 a notice of
appeal setting out the objection to the by-law, the reasons supporting the objection and the
Ontario Municipal Board filing fee of $125.00.

The lands to which the by-law applies include all lands within the corporate limits of the Township
of East Zorra-Tavistock.

A copy of the complete by-law is available for examination in the Clerk’s Office at the Township of
East Zorra-Tavistock, 90 Loveys Street, Hickson Ontario during regular office hours and also on
the Township website at www.twp.ezt.on.ca.

Dated at Hickson, this 3rd day of July, 2009.

Jeff Carswell
Clerk
Township of East Zorra-Tavistock

The Council of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock is accepting applications from community and business minded volunteers to serve on the Tavistock & District Recreational Facilities Board. One position, for a three year term commencing June 1, 2009 is currently available.

The Board's mandate is to provide high quality recreation facilities for the community. The Board is responsible for establishing policy, procedures and budgets for operation of the Arena, Memorial Hall and Queens Park. Members of the Board are not permitted to hold an executive position with a facility user group.

If interested, please submit an application by 12:00 noon on Thursday, April 30, 2009. Terms of Reference and Application Forms are available from the Township Office in Hickson, the Tavistock & District Recreation Centre Office or can be downloaded from the Township web site. Applications must be submitted to the Township Office, Hickson on the Application Form or by way of a letter that includes all of the information requested on the application form.

Also, a reminder that ice time will be available until May 22, 2009.  At this time the ice will be removed and in July will be going back in and available to rent starting July 20th.  Anyone renting 10 hrs of ice will receive an additional hour of ice time at no charge.

2009 Budget Public Meeting

The Council of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock will hold a Public Meeting to consider the 2009 Budget and User Fees on:

Written comments and/or verbal comments will be considered by Council at the public meeting.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.
Council Chambers, Hickson Municipal Office

For those people that are not on the monthly Pre-authorized Payment Plan for property taxes, your 2009 Interim Tax notice was mailed January 27, 2009.  Instalment due dates are February 27th and May 29th.

Failure to receive a tax notice does not prevent penalty charges for late payment.

If you have not received a bill,  or you have any questions about your taxes, please contact Tax Collector Brenda Junker at 519-462-2697 or email bjunker@twp.ezt.on.ca

Tavistock Sewage Collection System

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA)

This notice is to inform customers of the Tavistock Sewage Collection System, and any other interested local residents, property owners and agencies, that Oxford County (County) is nearing completion of the above-noted study and is at the stage now where it wishes to consult with the directly affected members of the public before any final decisions are made in respect of the project.

The Tavistock Sewage Collection System Municipal Class EA project has been conducted in accordance with the Schedule ‘B’ requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, to review and evaluate the sewage collection system in an effort to minimize current and future surcharging. 

In order to inform customers and to obtain public input on the County’s progress on the Municipal Class EA, a Public Information Centre will be held at the Tavistock & District Recreation Centre, 3 Adam Street (Memorial Hall) on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (with a presentation scheduled at 7:30 p.m.). 

Staff from the County and R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited, the Consulting Engineers retained by the County for this project, will be in attendance at the Public Information Centre to present project information and to answer any questions. 

When the project is finalized, a report will be prepared and a Notice of Completion will also be published, advising of a formal 30-day public and agency review period to comment on this project.  If you have any questions, or are unable to attend the Public Information Centre and would like to participate, please contact:

Shahab Shafai, M.Sc., P. Eng.

Manager of Wastewater Services

Oxford County, P.O. Box 1614

21 Reeve Street, Woodstock, ON  N4S 7Y3

Tel: 519-539-9800 x 3127, Fax: 519-421-4711

Email: sshafai@county.oxford.on.ca

Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Robert Walton, P. Eng.                                              

Director of Public Works                                               This notice issued January 21, 2009

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) will be mailing assessment notices to every property in Oxford County this week.  This notice sets out the assessment that wil be used in 2009-2012 to determine your property tax obligation.  We have provided some Questions and Answers on our website, as the new notice is significantly different than from prior years.

After carefully considering six options to respond to the need for expanded sewage treatment in Tavistock, Oxford County is moving ahead with plans to upgrade and expand the community’s existing wastewater treatment plant. We believe that upgrading and expanding the existing wastewater treatment plant is the best option for this community at this time.

If you have comments or questions, please send them to

Q. Why is the County moving forward with a proposal to upgrade and expand Tavistock’s wastewater treatment system?

A.

Q. Why isn’t the County building a new mechanical treatment plant in Tavistock when other small communities are building mechanical plants?

A.

In addition to the compelling environmental and technical reasons for a lagoon-based system, a key consideration was the fact that upgrading and expanding the current system is also significantly more affordable for homeowners in Tavistock. The option to upgrade and expand will cost the average homeowner another $300 - $400 a year in annual wastewater fees, not counting one-time development charges. If Tavistock were to build a new mechanical plant, that cost would jump by almost $1,000 a year, leaving the average homeowner with an approximate 500% increase in annual wastewater fees over the next 10 years.

While some other communities are building mechanical plants, lagoon-based systems are being used successfully in Oxford County now and across North America. It is important to note that the other communities used to compare wastewater strategies with Tavistock all have a larger residential tax base, as well as a broader commercial and industrial sector.

Q. The County was offered free land to build a mechanical sewage treatment facility. Why didn’t it act on that offer?

A.

Aside from the environmental and technical reasons, the upgrade/expansion is significantly more affordable for Tavistock homeowners compared to the cost of a mechanical plant, which would increase annual wastewater fees by about 500% over the next ten years. Also, a lagoon-based system offers some unique advantages for this community, such as an improved capacity to handle dairy wastewater and heavy rain.

With Tavistock’s current system nearing capacity, long delays are not in the best interest of the community. Consider that the decision to upgrade and expand Tavistock’s existing wastewater treatment system involved a three-year class environmental assessment and a 30-day public review period. Another 14 months was added to this timeline when someone opposed to the project requested a "bump up" from a Class Environmental Assessment to a full Environmental Assessment. (Note that the basis for the request was found not to have merit and was subsequently denied by the Ministry of the Environment in June 2008.)

Finally, while it is a generous offer, the County does not believe three acres is sufficient in total area required for a mechanical plant once the buffer area required around the mechanical treatment plant is taken into account.

Q. There is a lot of talk about the environmental and health effects of the lagoons. Do they pose an environmental risk?

A.

There are environmental advantages to lagoon-based systems. Because they use less energy, lagoon-based systems produce fewer greenhouse gases. They are also more capable than a mechanical plant of handling any potential industrial spills and heavy rain events.

It is important to remember that a community’s environmental health is the result of several factors, from farming or industrial activities to the habits and behaviours of individuals living in that community. Having said that, we agree that environmental concerns should be at the forefront of wastewater management decisions—that is why Oxford County completed an exhaustive Class Environmental Assessment for this project. The project has been approved by the Ministry of the Environment.

As part of the Township emergency management plan, The Tavistock Fire Department will begin monthly testing of the air siren on Saturday October 4, 2008.   The siren will be activated on the first Saturday of each month at 12:00 noon .

The air siren needs to be tested on a regular basis in order to ensure that it is in working condition should the need arise to use it. 

The siren will be activated in the event of either a chemical airborne release or impending severe weather that is directly headed for the village.   The public is strongly encouraged to tune into local radio stations and/or weather networks when bad weather is forecasted in order to stay informed of the weather conditions as they are subject to frequent change.

 

In accordance with the Municipal Act, Section 295(1), the 2007 Audited Financial Statements for the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock are available.

Any taxpayer or resident of the Township may request a copy of the statements, at no cost. The statements are available for review at the Hickson Municipal Office and on the Township Website from this link.

Information on the Financial Statements can be obtained from:

Jeff Carswell, AMCT
Chief Administrative Officer
Township of East Zorra-Tavistock
90 Loveys Street
Hickson ON N0J 1L0

Phone: 519-462-2697
Fax: 519-462-2961
Email:  jcarswell@twp.ezt.on.ca

Public Input Meetings on Policing Service

July 7, 2008 - Hickson Public School
July 8, 2008 - Innerkip Community Centre
July 9, 2008 - Tavistock Memorial Hall

2008 Budget and User Fees Public Meeting

The Council of the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock will hold a Public Meeting to consider the 2008 Budget and User Fees on:

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, Hickson Municipal Office

Written comments and/or verbal comments will be considered by Council at the public meeting.

Additional information is available on the Township website at www.twp.ezt.on.ca/budget/2008/ca

or can be obtained from CAO Jeff Carswell at jcarswell@twp.ezt.on.ca

The Grand River Conservation Authority is issuing the following flood advisory message. 

Change your Clocks....................Change your Emergency Kit Supplies !
Just as we change the batteries in the smoke alarms, lets get into the practice of changing the perishable items in your kit.

Water, food items and batteries should be changed every 6 month to keep your kit freshly stocked.

The following items should be in your kit:

Flashlight                  Radio                Batteries                 First Aid Kit              Candles/Matches   

Personal Identifications/Insurance Papers                 Water               Food Items          Personal Hygiene Items

Clothing                 Sleeping Bags                Pet Food              Whistle              Playing Cards

This is a 2006-2007 financial summary.

The National Fire Protection Association has issued a News Release regarding the risk of home heating fires.   As outdoor temperatures drop and people take measures to keep themselves and their loved ones warm this winter, fire incidents involving heating equipment are expected to rise. According to a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report released today, heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires and nearly half of all home fires occur in December, January and February.

The UTRCA is warning residents to stay away from ditches, streams, rivers, and ponds. Residents are asked to pay close attention to children near any water body, as the combination of slippery or submerged banks and fast-flowing, icy water is very dangerous. The edges of all flood control reservoirs and bodies of water in the watershed also pose a safety hazard.

Township Council approved an Updated Procedural By-law at the December 5, 2007 Meeting.  This approval is one of many required by recent changes to the Municipal Act.

The Procedural By-law sets out rules and regulations on how Council and it's Boards and Committees must operate.  The By-law includes provisions for:

At the November 7, 2007 meeting, Council approved several actions with respect to the Tavistock Master Drainage Plan.  The complete staff report and recommendations adopted is on the Township website in the Tavistock Flood Prevention area.

When water mains are flushed, customers may experience discoloured water or sediment. Any questions, you can contact County of Oxford Public Works at 1-866-537-7778.

If you avoid water use during the flushing, it will prevent dirty water being drawn into the household lines.  The iron in the water is an aesthetic problem and is not a health concern however, you may choose to boil the drinking water or use bottled water for consumption as a precautionary measure during this time.

If you get discoloured water, an outside tap or a laundry faucet not connected to a water softener or filter shold be turned on after the work is completed in order to flush the household lines.  Please allow sufficient time for the water to clear.  Discoloured water should not be consumed.

Monday, November 5th, 2007

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Public Works Presentation at 7:45 p.m.

Innerkip Community Centre

695566 Oxford Road 5

When water mains are flushed, customers may experience discoloured water or sediment. Any questions, you can contact County of Oxford Public Works at 519-421-2203.

If you avoid water use during the flushing, it will prevent dirty water being drawn into the household lines.  The iron in the water is an aesthetic problem and is not a health concern however, you may choose to boil the drinking water or use bottled water for consumption as a precautionary measure during this time.

If you get discoloured water, an outside tap or a laundry faucet not connected to a water softener or filter shold be turned on after the work is completed in order to flush the household lines.  Please allow sufficient time for the water to clear.  Discoloured water should not be consumed.

On October 2, 2007 the Township held a public meeting to update the community on the Tavistock Master Storm Drainage Plan. The meeting was held at the Tavistock Memorial Hall, with an Open House from 6 - 7:30 pm, followed by a presentation at 7:30 pm. The meeting was attended by all of Council, Township Staff and representatives from RJ Burnside Engineering. Approximately 18 members of the public also attended the meeting.

Over the coming months, Township Council will be further considering the Master Drainage Plan in conjunction with the Township Budget. Council encourages residents to contact their Councillors about the Master Drainage Plan and the priorities for drainage in Tavistock.  Meeting Notes are available at the Tavistock Flood Prevention Working  Group Page.

This energy conservation program managed by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) will provide free in-home pickup of refrigerators, freezers and room air conditioners.  That old, inefficient second fridge could be wasting up to $150 per year in electricity.  All reusable materials from these units are being recycled and a bare minimum is sent to landfill sites. 

To be eligible, these appliances must be a minimum of 10 years old, in operating order and within specific size restrictions.

For more information, you can call 1.877.797.9473 or visit the website listed.

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0 or 1 may water on Mondays
2 or 3 may water on Tuesdays
4 or 5 may water on Wednesdays
6 or 7 may water on Thursdays
8 or 9 may water on Fridays