A Special Meeting of Council will be held on Tuesday March 10, 2026, beginning at 9:00am at the Township Administration Building. The Special Meeting will be a working session of Council on the proposed 2026 Operating Budget and 5 Year Capital Forecast (2026-2030). 

The meeting is open to the public to attend and will be livestreamed and recorded on the Township's website. Please note that comments will not be accepted at this meeting. 

View the proposed 2026 Operating Budget and 5 Year Capital Forecast (2026-2030)

A 2026 Budget Public Meeting will be held during the Regular Meeting of Council on Wednesday March 18, 2026 at 7:00pm at the Township Administration Building.  

Anyone wishing to make a delegation or submit written comments for inclusion on the agenda should contact the Clerk prior to March 10, 2026 at 4:30pm for inclusion on March 18 meeting. Written and/or verbal comments will be considered by Council at the Public Meeting. Please note that pre-registration is not required to attend the Public Meeting in person and/or make verbal comments at the meeting.  

Oxford municipalities hosting candidate information meeting

Oxford County’s eight area municipalities are partnering to host a candidate information session in preparation for the 2026 municipal and school board election.

The session will take on Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m., virtually and in person in the Council Chambers at the Oxford County Administration Building, 21 Reeve St., Woodstock.

New, returning or interested candidates and members of the public are invited to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of council, who is eligible to run, the nomination process, and campaign finance and advertising rules.

The session will include presentations from the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and municipal consultant Nigel Bellchamber. Attendees are encouraged to send questions in advance to their municipal clerk. Those wishing to participate in the session virtually can register by emailing election@cityofwoodstock.ca.

“Serving on council is a significant commitment. Elected officials are responsible for making decisions that directly affect the lives of residents in our communities. This session is an opportunity for potential candidates to learn about the process, ask questions and receive guidance so that they can make an informed decision about running for office,” said Jeff Bunn, Manager of Legislative Services, Deputy City Clerk and Returning Officer for the City of Woodstock.

Oxford County’s municipalities include the Township of Norwich, Township of Zorra, Township of South-West Oxford, Township of East Zorra-Tavistock, Township of Blandford-Blenheim, Town of Ingersoll, Town of Tillsonburg and the City of Woodstock.

The nomination period for candidates will be open from May 1 to Aug. 21, 2026. Election Day will take place on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Advance polling will also be available in each municipality.

The Township Administration Building will be closed this morning (January 15, 2026) to allow time to clear the snow we received overnight - we will reopen at noon today.

Please stay off the roads if you can to allow roads crews to clear the snow. If you are on the roads, please slow down and take your time.

The Township has declared a Significant Weather Event (effective 4:00pm on December 29, 2025) in response to a significant and ongoing winter weather event.

The declaration has been made under O. Reg 239/02. 

This means that we’re working hard to clear snow, but the severe conditions are making it difficult to maintain roads and sidewalks to the minimum standards set out by the Province of Ontario (O. Reg 239/02).

We may be required to plow high volume roads multiple times before being able to address lower traffic routes, subdivisions and sidewalks.

We’re asking residents to postpone any non-essential travel and to use extreme caution if you must leave your house.

Providing for the safety of the travelling public throughout the Township is a responsibility that our staff take very seriously. We appreciate your patience and understanding as staff complete their work.

The public is asked not to park on Township streets while plowing activities are being performed, and to refrain from depositing snow on municipal roadways or sidewalks.

The declaration will be lifted when we can once again meet the minimum standards for snow clearing. Stay tuned to this page and our website for further updates.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada

The Township Administration Building will close on Wednesday December 24, 2025 at 12:00pm and reopen on Friday January 2, 2026 at 8:30am.

If your regular garbage and recycling collection falls on Thursday (south of Braemar Sideroad) next week's collection (December 25) will be moved to Saturday December 27. 

Roads Maintenance Operation and Emergency Services will continue as normal throughout the Holiday Hours.

The Township wishes everyone a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

Have a Plan This Winter!

As the winter season arrives in East Zorra-Tavistock, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures often bring unexpected risks—but with some preparation, you can stay safe and comfortable.

Stay safe and prepared with these essential winter tips:

·         Install snow tires for safer driving.

·         Inspect your chimney to prevent fire hazards.

·         Stock up on warm essentials: blankets, gloves, hats, and extra clothing.

·         Know the signs of frostbite and how to respond.

·         Keep emergency supplies on hand: batteries, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio.

·         Shovel and salt sidewalks and laneways to prevent slips and falls.

Learn more at: ontario.ca/EmergencyPreparedness

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.

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 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.

1. 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)
2. A Delegations will be presented to Council from Tourism Oxford - 2025 Update
3. Council will receive Correspondence for Information from Municipal Affairs and Housing and the City of Cambridge. 
4. 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
5. Staff reports will be presented as follows: 
   • Community Planning Report 2025-145-SB19-04-02 (Millgate Homes)
   • Monthly CAO/Treasury report
6. 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 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.

1. A certificate of recognition will be presented to Jennifer Killing, King Charles III Coronation Medal recipient. 
2. 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.) 
3. 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
4. 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
5. Council will receive Correspondence for Action for:
   • Court of Revision for the Nicklas Municipal Drain
   • Notice of ERTH Corporation Annual General Meeting
6. Staff reports will be presented as follows: 
   • Human Resources 2025-01 Wage Grid Policy and Organizational Chart
   • Public Work 2025-01 By-law Update
7. 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.