Oxford Stewardship Award, annual drinking water system reports, community safety and well-being plan and more

County Council meetings are broadcast live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream. To download the full agenda or view past recordings of council meetings, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/council.

Oxford Stewardship Award

Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan will present the 13th annual Oxford Stewardship Award at County Council on February 22. The award recognizes Oxford County landowners who have made exemplary contributions to the preservation and enhancement of natural areas and features, such as woodlands, wetlands, streams and meadows. This year’s nominees include Mary Ann Doré, Daria Koscinski and Adam Yates, and Bernd and Gail Brandt. Each year the Oxford Stewardship Award recipient receives a $500 gift certificate for original artwork commissioned by a local artist. This year’s artist is Vonnie Snyder of Ingersoll, and the gift basket is from Jarful Refillery in Woodstock.

Annual drinking water system reports

County Council receives the 2022 Annual Water System Performance Summary reports next Council meeting. The reports show that the County treated and supplied approximately 10.9 million cubic metres of clean, safe and reliable drinking water to 21 communities through 17 drinking water systems last year.

At the time of the Council report, 11 municipal drinking water system inspections had been finalized by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Of those, eight systems received 100% inspection ratings (Beachville, Bright, Brownsville, Drumbo-Princeton, Embro, Innerkip and Oxford South), one system received a 99% rating (Hickson), and two systems received a 95% rating (Lakeside and Mount Elgin).  The inspections for the remaining six systems (Tavistock, Ingersoll, Thamesford, Tillsonburg, Dereham Centre and Woodstock) are in progress. The report also outlines the more than $20 million investment in water infrastructure last year and summarizes preventative maintenance activities that were carried out across the water system.

Oxford County’s 2022 reports will be posted online by February 28 at www.oxfordcounty.ca/water-wastewater

PW 2023-07 – 2022 Drinking Water System Performance | Attachment: Reports

Community Safety and Well-being Plan

County Council will be asked to support next steps for the Safe and Well Oxford Plan next Council meeting. This includes finalizing the Terms of Reference for the steering committee that will guide the different action coalitions charged with advancing the plan.

Municipalities are required under the Police Services Act to enact community safety and well-being plans to achieve sustainable communities where everyone is safe, has a sense of belonging, opportunities to participate in society, and can meet their fundamental needs. The priorities in the plan for Oxford’s municipalities focus on Mental Health, Affordable Housing, Substance Misuse and Addictions, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

CAO 2023-01: Community Safety and Well-being Plan: Safe & Well Oxford – Next Steps | Attachment: Safe & Well Oxford Steering Committee Terms of Reference

Other reports and presentations

• Presentation: Water Services: Statutory Standard of Care
• Memo: Public Works – Notice of Study Commencement: Class Environmental Assessment Study and Conceptual Design - William Street Sewage Pumping Station, Tavistock
• PW 2023-08: Managed Forest Plan Update: 2022 Review and Operational Activity Forecast
• PW 2023-09: Demolition of County-Owned Facility at 92 Light Street
• CS 2023-06: Investment Activity Report and Policy Review – 2022
• CS 2023:07: Council Remuneration and Expenses - 2022

Questions or comments?                                                                  

Council this Week highlights Council activities for the public, employees and community partners. Please send your questions and comments to communications@oxfordcounty.ca