News
News
Township Programming Survey
Help shape Recreation in East Zorra-Tavistock!
The Recreation Advisory Committee and Township staff are seeking your input on potential drop-in programs that could be introduced to better serve our community.
Do you have ideas for new recreational activities or services you’d like to see offered? Now’s your chance to share what you think should be a priority in the upcoming budget year.
Your feedback will help us understand what programs matter most to residents and where we can improve to meet the needs of all ages and interests.
Complete our short survey and help us build a more active, connected, and vibrant community!
Paper copies of the survey are available at the Township Administration Building.
The survey closes September 15, 2025.
Strong Mayor Powers - Message from Mayor Schaefer
Message from Mayor Schaefer
On May 1, 2025 Strong Mayor Powers were extended to me along with 168 other Ontario municipalities. Accepting these powers was not optional, and the province is doing this to advance their priority interests, namely around housing and infrastructure.
Understandably, this change can be concerning to residents, and municipal councillors. The Mayor is able to delegate some of these powers, and to that end, today I have signed 3 Mayoral Decisions delegating certain powers as follows:
- Appointment of a Chief Administrative Officer delegated to Council
- Organizational Structure and Duties of Staff delegated to the CAO
- Establishing or Dissolving Committees delegated to Council
These are the first steps in navigating these new powers , and their associated responsibilities. There are many other changes established under this legislation. I hope the need to use the new powers does not present itself, but if, and only if, the situation arises where they are needed, I will strictly act in the best interests of the residents of this municipality.
To view the Mayoral Decisions and learn more, visit the Mayoral Decisions page.
Council Meeting Agenda Summary - May 21, 2025
Council meets next on Wednesday May 21, 2025 at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held at the Township Administration Building at 89 Loveys Street, Hickson, Ontario. The meeting livestream is also available on the Township's website.
To navigate to the livestream, visit our Agendas and Minutes page, select the meeting date you'd like to view, and select the Video hyperlink. The video hyperlink will become available once a meeting is being livestreamed. The livestream link will be available approximately 5 minutes before a meeting is scheduled to start.
Recordings will be posted within the next day following meetings.
- Public Meetings will be held for the following Planning applications:
- Zone Change Application ZN2-25-03 (Hartholm Farms Ltd.)
- Minor Variance Application A03-25 (Gerencser)
- A Delegations will be presented to Council from Tourism Oxford - 2025 Update
- Council will receive Correspondence for Information from Municipal Affairs and Housing and the City of Cambridge.
- Council will receive Correspondence for Action for:
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario delegation request form
- Innerkip and Hickson Lions Club Municipal Significance Requests
- Community Flagpole request Oxford County Pride
- Staff reports will be presented as follows:
- Community Planning Report 2025-145-SB19-04-02 (Millgate Homes)
- Monthly CAO/Treasury report
- By-laws:
- 2025-17 ZN2-24-05 (986044 Perth Oxford Road)
- 2025-18 Amending Building By-law
For more details of any of these items, see the full meeting agenda or contact the Municipal Clerk.
Council Meeting Agenda Summary - May 7, 2025
Council meets next on Wednesday May 7, 2025 at 9:00am. The meeting will be held at the Township Administration Building at 89 Loveys Street, Hickson, Ontario. The meeting livestream is also available on the Township's website.
To navigate to the livestream, visit our Agendas and Minutes page, select the meeting date you'd like to view, and select the Video hyperlink. The video hyperlink will become available once a meeting is being livestreamed. The livestream link will be available approximately 5 minutes before a meeting is scheduled to start.
Recordings will be posted within the next day following meetings.
- A certificate of recognition will be presented to Jennifer Killing, King Charles III Coronation Medal recipient.
- Public Meetings will be held for the following Planning applications:
- Minor Variance Application A-4-2025 (Stardobie Farms Ltd).
- Zone Change Application ZN-25-02 (588922 Ontario Inc.)
- Delegations will be presented to Council from:
- Association of Ontario Road Supervisors - 2025 AORS Municipal Public Works Trade Show
- Ronda Stewart - Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation Year in Review Update
- Council will receive Correspondence for Information from:
- Oxford Residents Urging Oxford Councils to Reconsider Partners for Climate Change Protection Participation
- Recreation Advisory Committee December 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- Council will receive Correspondence for Action for:
- Court of Revision for the Nicklas Municipal Drain
- Notice of ERTH Corporation Annual General Meeting
- Staff reports will be presented as follows:
- Human Resources 2025-01 Wage Grid Policy and Organizational Chart
- Public Work 2025-01 By-law Update
- By-law 2025-15 Boulevard By-law will be considered by Council.
For more details of any of these items, see the full meeting agenda or contact the Municipal Clerk.
Customer Service Notice - Easter Weekend Holiday Closures 2025
Council Meeting Agenda Summary - April 16, 2025
Council meets next on Wednesday April 16, 2025 at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held at the Township Administration Building at 89 Loveys Street, Hickson, Ontario. The meeting livestream is also available on the Township's website.
To navigate to the livestream, visit our Agendas and Minutes page, select the meeting date you'd like to view, and select the Video hyperlink. The video hyperlink will become available once a meeting is being livestreamed. The livestream link will be available approximately 5 minutes before a meeting is scheduled to start.
Recordings will be posted within the next day following meetings.
- The Optimist Club of Tavistock will present a delegation to Council.
- Council will receive correspondence from two provincial ministries:
- Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding Strong Mayor Powers
- Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility - 2025 Senior of the Year
- Staff reports will be presented as follows:
- CBO-2025-03 Building Department Year End Review
- CAO-2025-09 April Monthly CAO-Treasury Report
For more details of any of these items, see the full meeting agenda or contact the Municipal Clerk.
Council Meeting Agenda Summary - April 2, 2025
Council meets next on Wednesday April 2, 2025 at 9:00am. The meeting will be held at the Township Administration Building at 89 Loveys Street, Hickson, Ontario. The meeting livestream is also available on the Township's website.
To navigate to the livestream, visit our Agendas and Minutes page, select the meeting date you'd like to view, and select the Video hyperlink. The video hyperlink will become available once a meeting is being livestreamed. The livestream link will be available approximately 5 minutes before a meeting is scheduled to start.
Recordings will be posted within the next day following meetings.
- A public meeting will be held to discuss an amendment to the Building By-law, with proposed building fee changes.
- Sitting as the Committee of Adjustment, Council will consider Minor Variance Application A01-25 (Bruce) for 615471 13th Line.
- Council will receive correspondence from:
- OPP Detachment Board 2 (Introductory Letter)
- Oxford County - 2024 Annual Wastewater Reports
- Upper Thames River Conservation Authority 2025 Approved Budget
- Council will consider a Noise Exemption Request for 985704 Perth-Oxford Road (Ulmer).
- Staff reports will be presented as follows:
- CIM-2025-04 - 2026 Municipal Election Voting Method
- OT-2025-01 Russel Drain Branch Petition
For more details of any of these items, see the full meeting agenda or contact the Municipal Clerk.
Council Meeting Agenda Summary - March 19, 2025
Council meets next on Wednesday March 19, 2025 at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held at the Township Administration Building at 89 Loveys Street, Hickson, Ontario. The meeting livestream is also available on the Township's website.
To navigate to the livestream, visit our Agendas and Minutes page, select the meeting date you'd like to view, and select the Video hyperlink. The video hyperlink will become available once a meeting is being livestreamed. The livestream link will be available approximately 5 minutes before a meeting is scheduled to start.
Recordings will be posted within the next day following meetings.
- WSP will present and provide an update to Council on the Secondary Plan process.
- Council will receive correspondence from:
- Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation: Year in Review
- Oxford County: Development Charges By-law Amendment, Load Limit By-law Amendment, Curbside Waste Collection and Recycling (including Non-Eligible Sources) contract amendments and new contract.
- Council will consider Innerkip Minor Ball's request for Municipal Significance for their Victoria Day Tournament.
- Staff reports will be presented as follows:
- CIM-2025-03 Bridge 5 Replacement Tender Award
- CAO-2025-08 March Monthly CAO-Treasury Report
For more details of any of these items, see the full meeting agenda or contact the Municipal Clerk.
Notice of Public Meeting - Building Permit Fees
TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Township of East Zorra - Tavistock will hold a public meeting on the 2nd day of April, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in order to consider proposed updates to the Building By-law under Section 7 of the Building Code Act. The Meeting will be held in Council Chambers at the Township Administration Building at 89 Loveys Street, Hickson, Ontario.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT – The Township of East Zorra-Tavistock is proposing to amend the costs of the building permit fees following a review of the current permit fees and the costs associated with providing service to enforce the Building Code Act, as amended, with regards to issuance of building permits through Section 7. The effect will be to increase portions of the existing fee structure and introduce new fees.
Information will be provided at the meeting on the estimated costs of enforcing and administering the Building Code Act, the amount of the proposed fee(s) and the rationale for changing (and/or imposing) fees.
To obtain a copy of the proposed Building Permit Fees Increase, please refer to the agenda package for the April 2nd, 2025 Council Meeting, found on our website at https://www.ezt.ca/en/township-office/agendas-and-minutes.aspx . The agenda package will be available online no later than 4:30pm on March 28th, 2025.
Any person may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed fees.
Dated at the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock this 11th day of March 2025
Meaghan Vader, Clerk
Township of East Zorra-Tavistock
PO Box 100, 89 Loveys Street, Hickson, ON, N0J 1L0
Telephone: (519) 462-2697 x225 Fax: (519) 462-2961
Email: mvader@ezt.ca
Half Load Season 2025
Seasonal load restrictions are put into place to help protect our roads from damage during the spring when the winter’s frost is thawing, and the snow melt and rain have saturated the road base material. Equipment exceeding the weight restriction can cause extensive damage to the roads, resulting in very high maintenance and repair costs.
Please help us keep our roads safe for all vehicles driving on them.